In Indian cuisine, a chutney is a term for a variety of sweet and spicy condiments, originally from eastern India.
In its homeland, a chutney is often made to be eaten fresh, using whatever suitable strongly flavored ingredients are locally traditional or available at the time. It would not normally contain preserving agents, since it is intended to be consumed soon after preparation.
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 to enhance the keeping properties.
Beginning in the 1600's, chutneys were shipped to European countries like England and France as luxury goods. In the nineteenth century, brands of chutney like Major Grey's or Bengal Club created for Western tastes were shipped to Europe.
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