How do you choose between chutney, relish, and jam?

When it comes to adding extra flavour to your meals, chutney, relish, and jam each bring something unique to the table. While they might seem similar, the differences in taste, texture, and use are what make each one special. So, how do you choose between them?

What is Chutney?

Chutney is a thick, slow-cooked preserve made from fruits or vegetables combined with vinegar, sugar, and spices. This process creates a rich, tangy, and sometimes spicy flavour profile.

• Best with: cheese boards, cold meats, curries, and a ploughman’s lunch.
• Try ours: Boddington’s Apple Chutney and Christmas Chutney are classic choices.

Chutney originally comes from India but has been a staple on British tables for centuries, especially as a companion to cheese.

 

What is Relish?

Relish is made from chopped vegetables mixed with vinegar and seasonings. Unlike chutney, relish has a fresher, crunchier texture because it’s lightly cooked or sometimes even raw.

• Best with: burgers, sausages, sandwiches, and pies.
• Try ours: Boddington’s Red Onion Relish, tangy, slightly sweet, and a customer favourite.

Relish adds a quick burst of flavour when you want something sharp and zesty.

 

What is Jam (or Conserve)?

Jam is all about sweetness. It’s made by cooking fruit with sugar until it becomes thick and spreadable. At Boddington’s, our jams are actually conserves, which means they contain a higher fruit content than standard jam, giving them a more intense, authentic fruit flavour. You can read more into the differences between jam and conserve here. 

• Best with: scones (always jam first in Cornwall!), toast, pastries, and desserts.
• Try ours: our best-selling Strawberry Conserve, or explore Blackberry, Apricot, and more.

Chutney vs Relish vs Jam: How to Choose?

In truth, we’d ask, why choose at all? Each condiment has its moment. Jam (or conserve) is for cosy breakfasts or a proper Cornish cream tea (whichever way you enjoy it). Relish is perfect for quick, easy meals that need a tangy kick. Chutney is brilliant when you want to add depth to cheese and meats.

Sometimes, the magic is in combining them… imagine a cheeseboard with Chilli Jam, Apple Chutney, and Red Onion Relish all together. Sweet, tangy, spicy, in every bite a little different.

At the end of the day, it’s not about choosing one over the other, but about having the right jar at the right time. We hope this guide has helped you see which works best when and with our range of small-batch preserves, you’ll always be covered.