Discoveries at the Jungle Condiment Month: Mina Harissa Sauce from Morocco and Branston Pickle Relish from The United Kingdom

​The term condiment comes from the Latin condimentum, meaning “spice, seasoning, sauce” and from the Latin condere, meaning “preserve, pickle, season.” Condiments were known in Ancient Rome, Ancient India, Ancient Greece, and Ancient China. There is a myth that before food preservation techniques were widespread, pungent spices and condiments were used to make the food more palatable. The Romans made the condiments garum and liquamen by crushing the meat of various fish and fermenting it in salt, leading to a flourishing condiment industry. Apicius, a cookbook based on 4th and 5th century cuisine, contains a section based solely on condiments.

We have come a long way in terms of condiments since then. Even the original fish sauces, tahini, vinegars, and mustards are still around, we just put our own modern twists on them. This month, we are featuring condiments from all corners of the world. Some pay homage to the early days, while others are decidedly more modern. Come in and spice up your dishes with condiments from the Jungle!

Mina Harissa Sauce from Morocco

​Harissa is a spicy chili pepper sauce or paste made with chilis, garlic, and olive oil. The most common spices used for making harissa are cumin, caraway, and coriander. Other ingredients include roasted peppers, mint, sun dried tomatoes, and preserved lemons. Harissa is the most common condiment in North African cuisine. Every region – even every family – has their own recipe, but they all agree on one key factor: harissa’s main ingredient, chili peppers.

Where you can find these: Fairfield Location: Yellow 9 // Eastgate Location: Green 4

Branston pickled chutney was first made in 1920 in the village of Branston, which is where the name comes from. Now, they sell over 17 million jars a year in the UK alone! It’s made with diced vegetables including swede, carrots, onions, cauliflower, tomato, apple, and vinegar and spices. People in the UK typically use this on sandwiches.

Where you can find these: Fairfield Location: Orange 25 // Eastgate Location: Yellow 7