The Difference Between a Chilli Jam and a Chutney (2024)

The Difference Between a Chilli Jam and a Chutney (1)

When it comes to defining our chilli jam, you could argue that it is a chutney as well as being a jam. We see our chilli jam as being a hybrid between the two. Here we explain why and firstly I’ll take you through the key differences between a traditional jam and a chutney.

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Ingredients

A chutney, originating from the Indian subcontinent, traditionally refers to any condiment or relish served alongside Indian cuisine. However, this has evolved over the years and today would incorporate English-style chutneys.

Whilst both an English-style chutney and a jam are traditionally fruit based, we do see vegetable based chutneys today, for example onions.

These chutneys will have the addition of vinegar, which gives it its distinctive sharp, tangy flavour. They will tend to have the addition of spices and other dried ingredients such as raisins too.

A traditional jam would contain only a combination of fruit, sugar and pectin, so without any of the additional ingredients you would find in a chutney and a chutney wouldn’t contain any pectin.

Sugar

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.

Preservative

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.

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Texture

A jam will have a sticky, spreadable consistency whereas you’d find a chutney to be more spoonable.

What does this all mean for our chilli jams?

Well our chilli jams contain a combination of fruit (chillies), sugar, pectin and vinegar. Having the addition of vinegar to our recipes means that you could say it goes into the chutney territory and therefore not a jam. However, we do not add any other flavours such as spices or dried ingredients, making the chillies the hero of the product. When it comes to the texture, we feel the texture of our chilli jam is jam-like, where it is spreadable and sticky rather than like a chutney.

Like a chutney, our chilli jams are delicious paired with savoury food, served as a condiment on the side of your plate, accompanying a cheeseboard or added to a sandwich / toastie. Therefore, when people ask us how to use them, we often start with suggestions that a chutney would traditionally be used for.

The Difference Between a Chilli Jam and a Chutney (5)

We have lots of chilli jam ideas on our website, so why not give one of them a go? Also our range of chilli jams can be bought here.

Much jam love,

Kate x

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The Difference Between a Chilli Jam and a Chutney (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between a Chilli Jam and a Chutney? ›

The sweetness in chutney is typically counterbalanced by the tang of the vinegar and earthiness and heat of the spices – think cumin, chilli flakes, turmeric, star anise etc. Essentially, jams are sweet, while chutneys are savoury/sweet.

Is chilli jam the same as chilli chutney? ›

The sweetness in chutney is typically counterbalanced by the tang of the vinegar and earthiness and heat of the spices – think cumin, chilli flakes, turmeric, star anise etc. Essentially, jams are sweet, while chutneys are savoury/sweet.

Is chutney a type of jam? ›

Chutney is a type of jam made without any additional pectin and flavored with vinegar and various spices, and it's often found in Indian cuisines. Preserves contain the most physical fruit of the bunch — either chopped into larger pieces or preserved whole, in the case of things like cherry or strawberry preserves.

What is chilli jam used for? ›

A sweet jam with a slight kick! Works well as a treat in a steak baguette, or as a dip with some beer battered king prawns.

What's the difference between chilli jam and chilli sauce? ›

The second chilli jam vs chilli sauce difference is sweetness. Unless you've got a super sweet hot sauce, a chilli jam will typically be a lot sweeter. This sweetness is what makes a jam so versatile, it works on pizza, fried chicken, with cheese or almost anything else (our top 6 uses of jam are here).

Can I use jam instead of chutney? ›

The Western definition of chutney is savory jam. So a jam would become a chutney when one adds savory ingredients like vinegar and mustard seeds. A jam is fruit and sugar. A chutney is fruit, sugar and vinegar, and a jelly is fruit juice, sugar, and pectin as a gelling agent.

Do you store chilli jam in the fridge? ›

If it's firm and set, the jam is ready. Store, unopened, for up to 6 months. Once opened, store in fridge for up to 2 months.

What the heck is chutney? ›

Chutney is a condiment or spread made from chopped fruit cooked with vinegar, spices and sometimes sugar, that can be served fresh or preserved. It's often associated with Indian cuisine.

Why is it called chutney? ›

The word chutney derives from Hindi चटनी chaṭnī, deriving from चाटना chāṭnā 'to lick' or 'to eat with appetite'. In India, chutney refers to fresh and pickled preparations indiscriminately; however, several Indian languages use the word for fresh preparations only.

Are marmalade and chutney the same? ›

In both cases, we end up with a spreadable vegetable purée. On the other hand, vegetable marmalade mustn't be confused with chutney, a sweet-and-sour condiment made with vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices, borrowed from Indian cuisine. Marmalade and jam are considerably less acid than chutney.

What cheese to pair with chilli jam? ›

Cook for 45 mins or until thick and syrupy. Pour into sterilised jars with fitted lids. Will keep chilled for 1 month. Serve the chilli jam with toasted baguette slices and a sharp firm cheese like Manchego or goat's cheese.

Why is my chilli jam still runny? ›

The natural pectin in fruits and vegetables thickens jams. If there isn't enough pectin in the fruit itself and you don't add extra pectin, the result is runny jelly or jam. Additionally, if the fruit is overripe, its pectin levels are lower.

What is Scottish chili jam? ›

Galloway Lodge Chilli Jam is a sweet and spicy condiment with a definite kick. This delicious Scottish chilli jam is perfect for dipping, a brilliant addition to any cheese board and can also be used as a relish.

Is chilli jam like chutney? ›

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.

Can you heat chilli jam? ›

Unfortunately we would not recommend reheating the whole batch and cooking with extra liquid at this stage as there is a chance it won't set second time around. Pectin can lose some of its setting qualities if it is cooked for too long.

What is chipotle chilli jam? ›

A sweet chilli jam with all the smokey flavours of the Mexican Chipotle Chilli. Chipotle is a smoke-dried Jalapeno, we use it in both our BBQ sauces for its rich smoky flavour, but its such an amazing tasting chilli it can hold its very own in our latest addition to the Smokey range; Chipotle Chilli Jam.

What can I use instead of chilli in chutney? ›

Substitutes
  1. You can substitute red chilies with low heat red chilli powder like Kashmiri or Byadgi.
  2. Substitute sugar with jaggery.
  3. Substitute lemon juice with vinegar. I prefer vinegar as it helps in longer shelf life. You won't smell the vinegar in the chutney.

What can I substitute for chutney? ›

When looking for alternatives, various jams, preserves, and fruit-based sauces can serve as effective replacements. Apricot jam is frequently recommended as a substitute in chicken or fish dishes, as well as in sweet desserts due to its similar texture and sweetness.

Is Thai chilli jam the same as Thai chilli paste? ›

Nam Prik Pao is, as I've said earlier, very versatile. Nam Prik Pao is almost always referred to as roasted chili paste or chili paste in oil. Some call it chili jam or roasted chili jam which I think is more specific, less ambiguous, and more consistent with what it really is.

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