Difference Between Pickle and Chutney

The key difference between pickle and chutney is that the pickle typically includes whole fruits and vegetables or large pieces whereas chutney includes small pieces of fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, pickle refers to vegetables or fruit, sometimes cut into pieces, which have been kept in vinegar or salt water for a long time so that they have a strong, sharp taste. Chutney, on the other hand, is a spicy condiment of Indian origin, made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar.

Although many people consider pickle and chutney as the same type of perseveres, there is a distinct difference between pickle and chutney. The process of pickling makes pickles while slow cooking makes chutneys. Both these foods include preserving perishable food, i.e., fruits and vegetables.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pickle
3. What is Chutney
4. Similarities Between Pickle and Chutney
5. Side by Side Comparison – Pickle vs Chutney in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Pickle?

Pickle is a food that is made by the process of pickling. Pickling is the process of preserving (expanding the lifespan) of fruit or vegetable by anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. Although the pickling process expands the lifespan of the food, it affects the texture and taste of the food. Foods that can be pickled can include fruits, vegetable and even meat.

Pickles typically include raw and whole vegetables/fruits. They may also contain sugar, honey, herbs and spices such as ginger and cloves. There are some types of pickles such as sweet pickles that do not include whole fruits or vegetables. However, these also contain larger pieces of vegetables.

Figure 01: Pickle

It is also important to notice that in the USA, the word ‘pickle’ specifically refers to pickled cucumber. Moreover, pickled food is popular all over the world, and different cultures have various types of pickles unique to them. Kimchi (South Korea), takuan (Eastern Asia), giardiniera (Italy), and acar (Southeast Asia) are some examples.

What is Chutney?

Chutney is a spicy condiment of Indian origin, made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar. In India, you can get chutneys with almost every meal. Their taste can range from sweet to sour to spicy or a combination of any of these. Meanwhile, their texture may be chunky or thin. Chutneys may include a wide range of ingredients including fruits, vegetables and spices. The ingredients (i.e., fruits and vegetable) in a chutney are typically cut into small pieces, and the mixture is cooked for a long time.

Figure 02: Chutney

Although we often associate chutneys with India, they are also popular dishes in Africa and the Caribbean islands. Mango, pear, apricot, fig, cranberry, apple, peach, pineapple and plum are popular fruit chutneys while tomatoes, eggplant, and onion are popular vegetable chutneys.

What are the Similarities Between Pickle and Chutney?

• Pickle and chutney are made with fruits and vegetables.
• They give fruits and vegetables a long lifespan.
• Both have a strong and sharp taste.

What is the Difference Between Pickle and Chutney?

Pickle refers to vegetables or fruit, sometimes cut into pieces, which have been kept in vinegar or salt water for a long time so that they have a strong, sharp taste. Chutney, on the other hand, is a spicy condiment of Indian origin, made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar. Pickle contain whole fruits and vegetables or larger pieces while chutney contains small pieces of fruits and vegetables. Thus, the latter has a comparatively smooth consistency than the former.This is the main difference between pickle and chutney.

Moreover, the process of pickling includes marinating the fruit or vegetable in brine or vinegar.  In contrast, chutneys are typically cooked for a long time.

Summary –  Pickle vs Chutney

Both pickle and chutney help to preserve perishable fruits and vegetables. However, they are two distinct dishes. The difference between pickle and chutney depends on their cooking method and consistency.

Reference:

1. “What Is Chutney?” Spices Inc, 11 June 2018. Available here 
2. “A Guide To Pickles” Kilner. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’886564′(Public Domain) via pixhere
2.’3 Way Chutney’ By Siddhantsahni28 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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