Relish will last in the fridge for around months to a year once opened.
When kept sealed the relish will last for around 2 years and sometimes longer at room temperature as long as it has not been opened.
Relish lasts for a very long time, due to the vinegar, although homemade versions of relish that are not canned will only last around 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
The thing that makes a relish a relish is the sweet balance from sugar, the acidic vinegar base and the preserved produce.
Relish is a pickled, chunky condiment, which is defined of and made of finely chopped fruits or vegetables and preserved and flavored in a tangy sweet brine of sugar and vinegar and also mustard or celery seed spices, which give the relish a bright, acidic and sweet and sour taste and contrasting texture that also cuts richness in meals.
The key elements of relish are the sweet balance from the sugar, the preserved produce and the acidic vinegar base.
These things set relish apart from smoother sauces like ketchup.
Most common American relish is just chopped up and finely chopped, cucumbers that are seasoned and often sweetened.
Relish can also be made from other vegetables and fruits including cranberries.
Cranberry relish is another type of relish and even onion relish can be made.
You can make basic homemade relish by chopping up pickles, and even use onions, peppers, sugar, vinegar and spices to get a more complex flavor.
Relishes are basically just cooked or pickled chopped fruits or vegetables that are mixed together in a sauce.
In comparison, chutneys are a type of relish.
Relish is also normally made with vegetables, while chutney is mostly made with fruit.