How Chutney Saved Seamen

This fascinating historical narrative explores how food was adopted and used worldwide. It recounts the story of how chutney saved seamen on long voyages across many oceans and seas. Chutney, a cherished traditional Indian appetizer, has a rich history that goes beyond its common culinary role.

Portuguese navigators and sailors were pioneers in exploring new lands, often facing long and arduous voyages that led to life-threatening scurvy. A resourceful doctor discovered that the lack of vitamin C was the root cause, and he innovated by preserving citrus fruits in salt. This method allowed sailors to maintain adequate vitamin C levels during their journeys.

On one voyage, many ships stopped in the Azores to replenish their supplies. While in San Miguel, an island in the archipelago, the onboard doctor observed that regular consumption of fresh fruits significantly improved the sailors’ health.

Consequently, he ordered large quantities of fruits—primarily oranges and lemons—to be preserved in salt. This preservation technique ensured that the sailors received sufficient vitamin C throughout their journey, contributing to their safe return home. The doctor effectively ended what was once known as “scurry scurvy.”