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.

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Apple & Mint Chutney

Enjoy the classic English flavours of this crisp and refreshing handmade Apple & Mint Chutney. A beautifully flavoured chutney with fresh mint, juicy raisins, and the lingering aroma of sweet apple.

The East India Company - Lifestyle

Food and Beverages

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£7.00
Chutney and pickles laid a foothold in Europe in the late 16th century when East India Company brought preserved exotic foods from India to the United Kingdom.

Made from a variety of ingredients, from mango to tamarind, lemon, raisins, coconut, cinnamon, chili and turmeric which are cooked in vinegar, sugar and spices for about 2 hours for preservation. The flavours range from sweet to sour, hot to mild or a combination of all.
We are well known for our East-West connections and, inspired by the chutneys of the 18th century, here we've taken two classic English ingredients from the orchard and herb garden to create a refreshing and different chutney.

These ingredients would have commonly been used back in the day, as a substitute for the more 'exotic' Indian mangoes, when chutneys were being made in England.

Chock full of apples and with a hint of mint, this is the perfect partner for a mature Cheddar cheese, on one of our sweet-but-savoury Traditional English Digestive biscuits.

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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