BEHIND THE CRAFT
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From Chatni to Chutney

Chutneys and pickles took root in Europe in the late 1600s with the arrival of preserved foods, like mangoes and tamarinds, brought back to Britain from India by The East India Company.

Chutneys [from the Hindi word ‘chatni’, itself derived from a word meaning ‘to lick’] were served with almost every meal in India. It’s an ancient food, originating in India 2,500 years ago as a means of preservation in the heat.

These exotic new foods graced London’s society tables in the 18th century, and inevitably travelled onwards from London to other colonial outposts and became popular around the world.

We take inspiration from the original recipes developed by East India Company officers in the 1800s with our small range of artisan chutneys.

FGCN13104

Mango Chutney

Sweet mango slices with ginger, pepper and pepper makes this popular relish the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Generously spread this exquisite Mango Chutney over our Traditional English Digestive biscuits.

The East India Company - Lifestyle

Food and Beverages

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£10.00
Chutneys and pickles took root in Europe in the late 1600s with the arrival of preserved foods brought back to Britain from India by The East India Company.

Chutneys [from the Hindi word ‘chatni’] were served with almost every meal in India, especially as relishes with curries.

They were made from a wide variety of ingredients from mangos to tamarinds, lemons, raisins and coconuts, cinnamon, chilies and turmeric to name but a few. All simmered to preservation with vinegar, sugar and spices for about two hours. Flavours thus ranged from sweet or sour, spicy or mild.
These exotic new foods graced London’s society tables, and inevitably travelled onwards from London to other colonial outposts and became popular around the world.

We take inspiration from the authentic mango chutney recipes developed by East India Company officers in the 1800s – there is an unproven story that one such East India Officer ‘Major Grey’ developed a chutney that became known as “Major Grey Chutney” to go with his favourite curry.

Ingredients

Mango(67%), Apple, Sugar, Onion Seed, Vinegar, Salt, Black Onion Seed, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper.


Allergens

See ingredients in bold. Made in factory that handles nuts and garlic. May contain traces of these allergens.

Nutrition

Typical values 100g – Energy 464.7kj/110.64kcal | Fat 0.4g, of which saturates 0.06g | Carbohydrate 23.46g, of which sugars 21.92g | Protein 0.6g | Sodium 4.56g


Storage

Store cool and dry, once opened refrigerate and consume within 1 month.

Suitable for vegetarians.

Stories

The First Curry

The East India Company pioneers in India loved nothing more than enjoying a local curry with chutney. These ‘ordinary’ foods in India became exotic back in London.

The first recipe for curry appeared in a cookery book of 1747. The dish reflected the tastes of the staff of The East India Company – England’s most powerful trading company dealing in Asian goods.

A newspaper article of 1784 discusses in wonderful rich language the newly available ingredient ‘curry powder’, describing it as ‘exceeding pleasant and healthful’ and available only to buy on Piccadilly. Times have changed a little, but the warmth for curry has only grown with the British.
Transcript from the British Library:

To persons of Rank, Traders to all Nations, and Servants.

The invaluable rich Ingredient, called CURRY POWDER, brought from the East-Indies by the famous SOLANDER, is ROW [sic] to be only had, in its original virtues, at Sorlie’s Perfumery Warehouse, No.23, Piccadilly, near Air-street. The celebrated East-India Dishes, and most sumptuous Sauces, are made with this Powder. It is exceeding pleasant and healthful – renders the stomach active in digestion – the blood naturally free in circulation – the mind vigorous, and contributes most of any food to an increase of the human race…

Our spirit delivers no ordinary products

  • FAQ

    Do your chutneys and pickles contain preservatives? How long will it last after opening?
    There are no preservatives, just all natural ingredients. We recommend keeping refridgerated after opening and consuming within 3 months.

  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £3.95
    UK Next Day Delivery (mainland UK only): £9.95 (Order before 12pm)
    International Delivery is available, please see our delivery page for details. For more information and Terms & Conditions, please see our Delivery page.

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