What is chutney? (2024)

We’re a pickle loving nation. A sandwich just isn’t a sandwich without a dollop of chutney on top, a jar is essential on every cold cuts buffet table. At Cottage Delight we have more than a dozen chutneys to choose from, the majority winning Great Taste Awards. Have you ever wondered what’s in a chutney and why are they so popular?

Chutney is a savoury condiment made from slow-cooked fruits or vegetables, vinegar, and spices. Originating from India, chutneys have travelled the globe, collecting a twist in every country to suit local tastes. Historically, it was an ideal way of preserving the autumn harvest surpluses. Although chutney is known for being served on the side as a condiment, it’s also a great way to add spice in recipes.

What is the difference between chutney and jam?

Both a jam and a chutney will contain sugar, although a jam would be much sweeter, with the chutney having a more acidic, tangy flavour from the addition of vinegar. To preserve a chutney a combination of vinegar and sugar are used, whilst in a jam it is the sugar alone which acts as the preserving agent.

What is the difference between relish and chutney?

In general, chutneys have a chunky spreadable consistency much like a preserve and are usually made with fruit. On the other hand, relishes are hardly cooked, use little or no sugar, are more crunchy to the bite, and use vegetables.

What is the difference between chutney and pickle?

Pickles are generally thinner in consistency with more “pickled and vinegary” flavours. The main difference between chutney and pickle is that chutney is made with pieces of fruits or vegetables whereas pickles can be made with the whole fruit or vegetable. In the making process, chutneys are cooked for long periods whereas pickles are lightly cooked for less time

Types of chutney

Onion chutney – Onion chutneys are one of the most common flavour profiles of British chutneys. Pairing perfectly with a variety of savoury dishes such as toasties, pies, cheese boards or even sausage roll fillings. We offer a variety of onion chutneys, our best seller is the Caramelised Onion Chutney. We take our time with our Caramelised Onion Chutney, slowly caramelising fresh onions for hours in oak aged balsamic vinegar with a special blend of spices. Serve our Caramelised Onion Chutney with pork pies and cheese boards or stir through gravy for a gourmet sausage and mash supper. perfect for sausage roll fillings.
Mango chutney – A staple chutney accompanying Indian dishes. Our Indian Mango Chutney is made to an authentic Indian recipe with chunky pieces of ripe mango and a delicate spice mix. This classic chutney is perfect with all your favourite Indian dishes and accompaniments, lightly spiced with a luxurious texture. Serve Mango Chutney as a snack with poppadoms and onion bhajis or add a twist to your lunchtime sandwich and spread Mango Chutney on freshly baked granary bread with goat’s cheese and watercress – delicious!
Tomato chutney – Tomato chutneys pack a fabulous flavour punch. New to the range in 2022 is our Spicy Tomato & Caramelised Onion Chutney. Made with a combination of fenugreek seeds, Indian inspired spicy tomato and slow cooked caramelised onion. Add a kick to your burger, cheese board, barbecue or poppadoms with our sweet and spicy chutney.
Apple Chutney – Arguably the most British chutney flavour there is, our Sweet Apple Chutney is a long standing best seller. We’ve created this fruity number by cooking up seasonal British Bramley apples and spices for a sweet, tangy and slightly spiced flavour. Partner our Sweet Apple Chutney with any type of cheese, enjoy with hot roast pork, or use as a sticky glaze for ribs.

How to make chutney

Ever wanted to make a homemade chutney? Follow this easy step-by-step guide to get you started on your culinary chutney adventure!

Ingredients

500 grams apples
500 grams onions
1kg of any other fruit or vegetable such as Beetroot, mango, tomatoes, or apricots
160 grams raisins or other dried fruit
350 grams vinegar (cider or malt)
350 grams white sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons spices

Instructions

Peel and core the apples
Peel the onions and prepare the other fruit and veg you are using.
Chop all fruit and veg in a food processor, or by hand, depending on the amount of time you have.
Transfer the fruit and veg to a large pot, add the vinegar, sugar, and spices.
Stir well with a wooden spoon, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring regularly, until the mixture reaches a jam-like consistency—approximately 90 minutes.
When your chutney has thickened, bring everything over to a cleared space in your kitchen to start jarring.
Using a spoon, carefully spoon the hot chutney into the jars almost to the top.
Once the jars are filled, screw the lids on tightly.
Store in a cool dark place until ready to enjoy!

If you don’t have the time to prepare a homemade chutney, take a look at our award winning chutneys, Our chunky chutneys are crafted in small batches using carefully curated ingredients and traditional methods, even when creating unique and innovative flavours, ensuring true quality – from champions of the cheeseboard to exotic culinary combinations.

How to eat chutney

How to eat chutney with curry? Originally from India, chutney was traditionally served as a condiment to go with a meal. Stir chutney through your curry when cooking, serve alongside as a dip for poppadoms, samosas or naan breads. Our Poppadom Mango Chutney is perfect for adding to the table when enjoying a curry night.
How to eat chutney with cheese? Chutneys are perfect for adding to buffets, party spreads or cheese boards for one. Spread a layer of chutney on crackers. Top with thin slices of cheese. A tangy cheese such as cheddar is a good choice. Our Classic Cheese Board Chutney is a luxurious accompaniment to any cheese board with a chunky texture and rich flavour to complement both soft and hard cheeses. Why not enjoy Cheese Board Chutney with cold meats and pork pies too?
How to eat mango chutney? Mango Chutney is a classic Indian chutney, perfect with all your favourite Indian dishes and accompaniments, lightly spiced with a luxurious texture. Serve Mango Chutney as a snack with poppadoms and onion bhajis or add a twist to your lunchtime sandwich and spread Mango Chutney on fresh baked granary bread with goat’s cheese and watercress – delicious!

Common questions about chutney

Is chutney served warm or cold? Chutney is usually served at room temperature as a condiment.
What is English chutney? Chutneys originally derive from India, but as a globally popular condiment, the English have their own take on a chutney. English chutneys include more widely available, traditional flavours such as apple, beetroot, walnut, cider, or apricot.
Is chutney Indian or British? Chutneys are originally from India.
Is chutney similar to salsa? Yes, chutney is similar to salsa or a sweet relish and can be used as a side dish or condiment.
Is ketchup the same as chutney? No, ketchup is a tomato-and-vinegar based thick, pureed sauce. Chutneys are usually very thick sauces that contain pieces of fruit and/or vegetables instead of all being pureed together.
What is the difference between compote and chutney? Both fruit compote and fruit chutney feature chopped fruit and sugar. Fruit chutney goes a step further by incorporating various spices, vinegars, and citrus rinds, depending on the recipe. Some chutney recipes use dried fruit as a core ingredient, while compotes typically begin with fresh fruit.
Is chutney vegan? Our range of chutneysincludes many vegan friendly options.

Our chutney selection

Our chunky chutneys are crafted in small batches using carefully curated ingredients and traditional methods, even when creating unique and innovative flavours, ensuring true quality – from champions of the cheeseboard to exotic culinary combinations.

Looking for the perfect chutney for your cheese board? Our English Country Cider Chutney is a great choice. We fill this jar to bursting with crunchy chunks of garden vegetables and a splash of proper country cider.