The Condiment Book: A Brilliantly Flavourful Guide to Food's Unsung Heroes

by Claire Dinhut

The definitive condiment compendium by expert and TikTok sensation Claire Dinhut aka Condiment Claire

'A love letter to the most underrated ingredients in your kitchen – fresh, fun and genuinely useful. (Though don't make me choose between mustard and butter.)' – Felicity Cloake

'An utterly indispensable guide to flavour and eating well' – Nicola Lamb

Are you Team Ketchup or Team Mustard? What are your Top 3 condiments? And is butter really a condiment? Let Claire guide you through the condiment world of flavour starting with the Classics that we all know and love – Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard and Butter – right through to Hot Sauces, Ferments and Pickles (think Miso and Kimchi), Dressings & Oils, Fruit in Jars and Dips.

With illustrations and charts throughout, The Condiment Book covers everything from failsafe recipes for much-loved condiments, hundreds of variations and flavour pairings, condiments from across the globe, fascinating historical facts (did you know that Aztecs used chillis as a weapon?) – it is the definitive guide to this class of food that isn't strictly necessary yet to most of us is indispensable.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Food and Drink

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2024

Reviews

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ]

More of a cute book with some historical background on the origins of familiar condiments than a serious cookbook. This was a little disappointing since I was really looking forward to a condiment recipe book given my love of condiments. The included recipes are generally simple and common ones; think butter, mayo, ketchup, quick pickles, dips and jams.

This would be best suited as a gift for new cooks who appreciate condiments or fans of the author, a well-known social media content creator. Worth mentioning, there are 2 versions of the book and this US version has more recipes and photographs than the UK edition.

[Caitlin Alexander]

This book led to me making the best cheese toastie of my life. No notes 5/5.

[Stine]

Pickles

[Kat]

not life changing but cute and ive been manically making experimental pestos since i finished this a couple days ago, chefs kiss goes to anchovies <3

[Sheri]

A wonderful insight into the world of condiments and their history. The Condiment Book tickled my brain in the same way Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrst did. 

[Sophie (RedheadReading)]

Be right back, I simply must go make an ungodly amount of pickles and dips...

[Hayden Renaghan]

Finally got around to finishing this book and it made me love Claire even more! Her personality showed through all of the condiment history and recipes. The doodles — especially the Stinkometer — really added to the experience. I’m looking forward to giving the Tomato-Vanilla-Basil jam & Caesar salad dressing recipes a try

[Nadine Belling]

I love this book! It's not a cookbook, but an incredible book if you love food and cooking. Beautifully written with amazing illustrations!

[Agustina Huber]

Loved this book! Feels like a warm hug everytime id go pick it up. It is not a cookbook! Truly a collection of history and fun facts about condiments as well as some easy home recipes to pair with the stories. Such a great read, ive learned alot too!

[Kathleen Finn]

You can tell how much time and love went into this book. It’s apparent how passionate Claire is about learning about different cultures through the flavors native to that part of the world. I think the jam part was most interesting, as well as the hot sauce and kimchi parts. Loved it

[Sara McCormack]

Amazing book! I learned to much about my own personal taste preferences and the history behind all my favorite condiments - can’t wait to try more recipes from this (not a cook)book!

[Tina Hanson]

A fun book of flavor combinations, the history of condiments, and unique recipes! I especially love having base recipes for simple things like jams and hot sauces that I can then tweak and adjust to my flavor preferences and what’s in season.

[BibliofiendLM]

Super fun and informative. One that would be great for my home collection.

[Hailey Strother]

A new kitchen staple for me. Highly recommend!

[LizaMari]

I loved this book so much! Plenty of inspiration for this year's meals!

[Merritt]

I absolutely adore this book! I pre-ordered this version and I will definitely be obtaining the US version as well when it comes out because I hear it will be a bit different.
I love all of the historical deep dives, charts, and doodles. The flavor combos Claire puts together are always 🔥. The recipes in here are fantastic as well! The candied jalapeno bites are a new favorite! So much good stuff in here and such a fun read. Everyone should check this book out I can't hype it up enough!!

[Emily]

Pre-ordered the U.K. edition to give as a Christmas gift and couldn’t resist reading it before I gave it away! It’s just so visually appealing, and the writing really captures the engaging way Claire talks about food. My ONLY complaint is that some of the background colors make it difficult to read the text— but overall, I really enjoyed it (and I don’t typically read in this genre)! Highly recommended.

[Rachel Dangora]

This book is amazing! I can’t wait to also get the US version when it’s released next year. Claire is one of my favorite creators because of her deep dives into recipes, history, and travel. This book is all of that mushed up into the perfect little handbook guide on condiments. I can’t wait to try the recipes and become a condiment connoisseur!

[Megan Luckett]

I LOVE HER BRAIN I LOVEEE THIS BOOK!! the way she experiments is so inspiring

[Siera Mae]

Claire writes on the evocative power of flavour like a true Proustian. Her guide is the perfect companion to join the never ending search for lost thyme 💕📗💕

[Laura Jayne]

Absolutely delicious from start to finish. No notes. Just very hungry and excited to try tons of new things!

[Kendall P]

Claireeee!! I’ve been a fan since day one and had high hopes for this book - that were ABSOLUTELY EXCEEDED. What a fun way to demonstrate flavor, explain condiment structure, and become inspired to make new things.

The illustrations are in-cred-ible. Like, holy smokes this book is stunning and fun and timeless.

Claire’s use of tone and zest is cozy and fun to read. This is a permanent staple in my kitchen and will become a book I frequently gift to other chefs/at-home cooks! I went out of my way to get the European version and I regret nothing about that decision. I was confused whether this was a cookbook or not at first, and I think she does a fabulous job explaining why this is called “the condiment book” - because that’s exactly what it is.

Excellent read for at home cooks, chefs, and general foodies, or perhaps people who love trivia and food history!

Well done, Condiment Claire!

[Iben Holm Nielsen]

A really fun and nerdy book, and i loved it. Gives new and interesting ways to combine food in a new way. For me as a chef some things is kinda obvious but is good to know for “normal” people heheh. But other things i didn’t know. So you learn something everyday.

When my mom saw how many tags i have in this book, it maybe defeated the purpose of them. I don’t think 11 tags is to many. I’m just excited to try some new recipes hehe.

I have not cooked from it yet, but i’m gonna use some of it in my new years menu this year, so that is gonna be exciting. Scallops and sea buckthorns is gonna be interesting. Very special.

[Sophie Crane]

This book is so HAPPY! It's well-researched and filled with both interesting historical facts, wonderful recipe templates and colourful doodles. Claire really encourages the reader to play with taste and flavor. It's a celebration of how we make our food our own and how we can understand each other through food. Joyful and interesting - a great resource for every kitchen.

[Sel]

Another book with helpful illustrations on how to maximize leftover scraps into delicious condiments.

It's also happy, nostalgic, and teaches history in easy-to-understand terms and visual cues!


Galing!!

[jngarz]

Love all the historical mini stories regarding condiments! So many amazing recipes I want to try as well, I used half a stack of post-it’s marking up my favorites. Claire’s love of condiments through her storytelling, shine vibrantly through the pages of her book.

[Abby Rea]

I love Claire. The way she processes flavor is something to be envious of. Actually LOLed multiple times while reading.

[Jen]

This was such a fantastic book. From the recipes to the history lessons to the small illustrations, it was an absolute delight to read and will live in my kitchen forever.

[liz]

i have been making more condiments that i can eat since i read this book.

[Charlotte]

Anderledes og inspirerende! ✨