Chutney

The word "chutney" is derived from the Sanskrit word caṭnī, meaning to lick.

Chutney Pixabay

The first chutneys in India would have been sticky fruit based preserves. Sugar, although available in India, was not widely cultivated and honey would have been used to sweeten dishes, thus leading to the chutneys being used as more of a dipping sauce rather than a condiment.

Diego Álvarez Chanca the physician and companion of Christopher Columbus brought back chili peppers from the Americas. After discovering their medicinal properties, Chanca developed a chutney to administer them.