Pickles and Chutneys

Indian pickles and chutneys are rich, diverse and flavourful condiments made from fruits, vegetables, and spices. In the UK, they are usually served as a pre-dinner nibble in a pickle tray with a pile of Poppadoms. 

In India, they are an essential accompaniment that enhance meals with spice, tang or sweetness, creating a more balanced meal. They are great for catering to guests with different heat preferences. Try adding a dollop of a hot pickle/chutney to the side of a milder curry for a fiery kick. 

In India, pickles and chutneys differ from the ones we know and love in the UK, but they are just as delicious! There’s a vast amount of different pickles and chutneys to choose from, with each adding a different element to the finished dish. 

Indian Pickles and Chutneys 

Chutneys are prepared daily in Indian homes and most of them have to be eaten within a day or short time period, whereas pickles mature in flavour over time. These chutneys will be similar to our Coriander Chutney Recipe, which is packed full of fresh herbs. 

In India, Pickles (Also known as Achar or Achaar) are often fermented with oil and spices, creating unique sour flavours while preserving the ingredients. 

Fresh pickles are another popular accompaniment, try our Garlic and Coconut Spice Mix to make this traditional recipe at home. 

The ingredients used to make pickles will also depend on the region. Mustard oil is often used in Northern India and sesame oil in Southern India. Popular pickle ingredients are aubergine, lime, chilli, mango and ginger. Some traditional pickle recipes use fish, pork, liver or prawns. In Rafi’s ‘Malaysian Cookery’ book, she even made a recipe for a pheasant pickle! This just shows how diverse Indian pickles can be. 

In the UK, the main difference between pickles and chutneys is the sugar and acid content. Chutneys tend to use more sugar to preserve the ingredients, and pickles use more acid such as vinegar. This results in chutneys being sweeter and pickles having a more savoury edge. 

Rafi’s Pickles and Chutneys

Our Pickles and Chutneys range uses high-quality, hand-picked ingredients and have been selected for their simple but bold flavours. These flavours are based on traditional Goan recipes and are made for us with care in Maharashtra, India. 

We’d love to hear if you’ve tried our Pickles and Chutneys Range. Let us know your feedback on our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. We love to see your curry creations, so please send us your foodie photos across.