Chutney is a thick, flavorful sauce or relish that combines fruits or vegetables with spices, vinegar, and sugar. It originated in India centuries ago and has become popular around the world.

Unlike ketchup or mustard, which taste pretty much the same every time, chutneys come in countless varieties. Mango chutney might be sweet and tangy, while tomato chutney could be spicy and savory. Some chutneys are smooth like jam, while others have chunky pieces of fruit or vegetables.

Traditional Indian chutneys use ingredients like tamarind, coconut, cilantro, or mint, often ground fresh with a mortar and pestle. Chutneys later became popular accompaniments to meat and cheese in England and other parts of the world.

You might find chutney served alongside curry, spread on sandwiches, or paired with cheese and crackers. The word can also describe the sweet-and-sour flavor combination itself: something with a chutney-like taste balances sweetness with tang and spice in an interesting way.