People ask us this a lot - usually when they're trying to figure out what to expect and how to serve it. The honest answer is that our chilli jams sit somewhere between the two. Here's why...
What is a chutney?
Chutney originates from the Indian subcontinent, where it traditionally referred to any condiment or relish served alongside food. The English-style chutneys we're familiar with today evolved from that, and they share some key characteristics:
- They contain vinegar, which gives that distinctive sharp, tangy flavour and acts as a preservative
- They often include spices, dried fruit like raisins, or other aromatics
- They can be made from fruit or vegetables - onion chutney being a good example of the latter
- They tend to have a longer, slower cook, which gives a deeper, more complex flavour
What is a chilli jam?
A traditional jam is made from fruit, sugar and pectin - nothing else. No vinegar, no spices. The result is something sweet and fruity with a clean set.
A chilli jam takes that jammy sweetness and adds heat. Done well, it should taste intensely of the chilli itself - fruity, aromatic, with heat that builds rather than just burns.
Where do SVC's chilli jams sit?
Honestly? Somewhere in the middle - and I think that's what makes them so useful in the kitchen.
Our chilli jams contain apple cider vinegar, which means they have that slight tang you'd associate with a chutney. But they're made with a high chilli content and a much shorter cook than a traditional chutney, so the flavour stays bright and fresh.
We call them chilli jams because that's what they feel like to eat. But if you've ever wondered why they work so well with cheese, as a glaze, or stirred into a sauce - the chutney side of them is probably why.
What to use them for
Because they sit between a jam and a chutney, they work in places both would. Try them:
- On a cheeseboard in place of chutney
- As a glaze for chicken, salmon or halloumi
- Stirred into cream cheese as a dip
- On the side of eggs, burgers or a bacon sandwich
- Shaken into a cocktail to add a little kick
We've got a full collection of chilli jam recipe ideas on the site if you need more inspiration.
