Introduction

Welcome to the world of chutney. In the 1600s, chutneys were shipped as luxury goods to many European countries. In the nineteenth century, brands like Major Grey's and Bengal Club, created for Western tastes, were shipped around Europe.

In India, chutney is often made to be eaten fresh, using whatever suitable ingredients are traditional or available at the time. These chutneys do not normally contain artificial preservatives, as they are intended for consumption soon after preparation. Chutney, as a genre, is similar to the salsa of Latin American cuisine, or the European relish insofar as it involves a fresh, chopped primary vegetable/fruit with seasonings, to be used as an accompaniment with another dish.

Chutney is more familiar in North America and Europe in a form that can be stored. To this end, vegetable oil, vinegar, or lemon juice are used as preserving agents, thus securing health and nutritional properties. Many authentic types of chutney contain significant amounts of fresh green chili peppers; the other main ingredients can be any of a wide variety of fruits (mango, papaya) and vegetables.

English varieties of chutney also use local ingredients, but with the desire to turn otherwise discarded fruits and vegetables into useable products. In temperate countries, these types of chutneys may include ingredients such as tender fruits, apples and tomatoes.

In keeping with English style of chutney for flavour and ingredients, On the Side Inc. looked for innovative twists on existing products, without going head-to-head with brands that already exist. You will discover that our chutney’s transcend traditional cuisine choices to fuse with a variety of dishes.

On The Side Inc. is proud to bring you truly delectable Southern Ontario indulgences. Chutney may simply be sweet and spicy in India, but to On the Side Inc. it’s a rich and fragrant preparation, intense in its spiky yet sweet and savoury character. Perfect smeared on chapatti then plunged into bubbling bowl of your most favourite curry; dolloped on a velvety cheese canapé fit for a dinner party; delicious with grills and traditional fair; mouth-watering as a glaze on ham or beef; fuses with the Asian flavours of BBQ pork or dumplings; even livens up the ho hums of a grilled cheese sandwich. As versatile as you’re most common table condiment, yet layers lovely flavours using primarily local ingredients to create a rich and full bodied flavour. Try our condiments – they’re festive, they’re extraordinary….they’re your every day chutney’s.

If you've tried any of our chutneys and have a great recipe you think would go great with them, please send it to us. We will post it on our website if we think it'll be a great addition to our recipe file.