Georgia

This simple cheese bread known as khachapuri is the most famous dish in Georgia. It is traditionally topped with melted cheese, eggs and butter. There are different types of khachapuri, and even though some new cheese varieties such as mozzarella and feta have been incorporated in the dish, the m... Read more

These delicious Georgian dumplings known as khinkali are considered to be one of the national dishes of the country. The dumplings are filled with meat and spices, then traditionally twisted into a knot at the top. Regional differences influence the fillings and every part of Georgia has their di... Read more

Lobio is a Georgian invention that refers to a wide group of dishes that employ beans as a key ingredient. Most commonly, those are red kidney beans, boiled with various spices to create a thick stew, commonly served with mchadi, a traditional Georgian cornbread. Among numerous other var... Read more

Mtsvadi is a traditional dish consisting of a skewered shish kebab. Pork, mutton, or veal is typically marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, pomegranate juice, tarragon, salt, pepper, and chopped onions, so that it remains tender and juicy when grilled. Mtsvadi is often prepared outdoors over an... Read more

Imeruli khachapuri is a traditional bread filled with melted cheese. Unlike traditional khachapuris, the imeruli variety is circular in shape. The dough consists of flour, salt, sugar, yeast, water, and sometimes yogurt, while the cheese filling is usually enriched with the addition of eggs. It i... Read more

Kharcho is a hearty Georgian soup featuring beef or chicken, walnuts, and rice. It is traditionally seasoned with a Georgian spice blend called khmeli suneli (a combination of dried blue fenugreek, marigold petals, basil, parsley, fennel, coriander, bay leaves, and red pepper) and tk... Read more

Chicken tabaka is a popular Georgian dish consisting of a chicken that is fried in a special way in a traditional pan called tapa. One should flatten the chicken on a pan by pressing it down with a weight. When it is properly prepared, the chicken should be crispy on the outside, while r... Read more

One of the most popular khachapuri varieties, adjarian is an open-faced pie that is filled with a combination of cheese and eggs. The base is made from yeasted dough that is rolled into an oblong shape and traditionally comes filled with Sulguni or Imeretian cheese, or the combi... Read more

Kupati is a spicy Georgian sausage made with pork or beef, onions, and flavorings such as black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, salt, and coriander. It is especially popular in the Caucasus region. The sausage is most commonly grilled or fried before serving, when it is traditionally accompanied by sau... Read more

Ghomi is a traditional dish from Georgia consisting of coarse and fine cornflour combined with water. If the pieces of cheese such as sulguni are placed in the hot porridge to melt before consumption, the dish is called elarji. Ghomi is often served with different sauces on the side, such as ... Read more

Ajika is a hot and spicy Georgian paste made with hot peppers, garlic, walnuts, and fresh herbs and spices such as coriander, basil, dill, and marigold petals. It is most commonly used as a flavoring for various meat and fish dishes, although it can also be used as a fiery hot dip. Ajika is usual... Read more

Traditionally consumed at Barbaroba, the feast of St. Barbara, lobiani is a popular Georgian bread that is filled with mashed kidney beans and flavored with onions, parsley, coriander, and black pepper. The dough consists of flour, yeast, salt, and water. There is also a variety of the bread call... Read more

Sulguni is a cylindrical Georgian cheese originating from the region of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). The cheese has a mild, yet complex flavor and a semi-firm texture. It can be produced from the milk of cows, buffalos, and goats (rarely), or a combination of the three. The flavors range from ... Read more

Tenili is a unique Georgian cheese made in the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli. It can be produced from cow's or sheep's milk, but the most important thing is that the milk should have a high percentage of fat. The cheese is pressed and the warm curds are repeatedly hand-p... Read more

Originating from Samegrelo, Smoked Sulguni or Shebolili Megruli Sulguni is a Georgian cheese made from the milk of cows, buffalos, and goats (rarely), or a combination of the three. This semi-hard cheese has a dense, springy, and elastic texture underneath its natural rind. Due ... Read more

Matzoon or matsuni is a type of traditional Armenian and Georgian fermented dairy product that consists of milk and a starter culture or previously made matzoon. It is typically made with boiled cow’s milk combined with yogurt, and the mixture is then allowed to sit in a warm place until it... Read more

Imeruli is a traditional cheese originating from the region of Imereti. This fresh curd cheese is made from cow's milk, and although it originated in Imereti, nowadays it can be found throughout the country. The cheese is brined and it's white in color. If properly prepared, it will deve... Read more

Jonjoli is an unusual Georgian appetizer made with pickled sprouts from the local jonjoli bushes. The sprouts are combined with olive oil or other pickled vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, or cucumbers. The dish is usually garnished with onion rings and finely chopped coriander. This appetize... Read more

Khmeli suneli is a fragrant Georgian spice blend including fenugreek, coriander, peppercorns, dill, mint, marigold petals, and bay leaves. This spice blend is characterized by its combination of warm, bitter, nutty, and grassy flavors. It is traditionally used in various stews and meat d... Read more

Trigonella caerulea, also known as blue fenugreek, is a Georgian plant that grows wild in the mountainous parts of the country. It is typically used as a spice, giving a unique flavor to a number of dishes. The spice is prepared by grinding the seeds and pods in order to get an ... Read more

Narchvi is a traditional cheese hailing from the Svaneti region. It's made from cow's milk. The cheese is placed in a small wooden tower and it's then pressed with stones for more than 3 months (and up to a year). Narchvi has a soft and buttery texture, while the flavors are surprisingly... Read more

Dambalkhacho is a Georgian dry moldy cheese hailing from the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. It's produced from buttermilk cottage cheese that remains after churning the butter. Salt is kneaded into the lumps of cottage cheese, and it's then dried on a webbed grate (dzobani) that's hu... Read more

Bladdernut sprouts are the young, tender shoots of the bladdernut plant, specifically from species like Staphylea colchica, known as the Caucasian bladdernut. These sprouts appear in early spring as the plant awakens from its winter dormancy. They are small, vibrant green buds that emerge from th... Read more

The Kakhuri Ghoi pig, an indigenous breed from the Kakheti region of Georgia, is known for its easy domestication and adaptability to local environments. Thanks to the history of decline starting in the 1930s due to crossbreeding in Soviet farms aimed at increasing productivity, this breed suffer... Read more

Saperavi is a resilient red Georgian grape that originated in the eastern region of Kakheti, and though it is still predominant in Georgia, small amounts are also grown in other Eastern European regions, Australia, and the United States. This teinturier grape that has dark skins and fles... Read more

Georgian amphora wine is produced with an ancient wine-making method in which pressed grapes, including skins, juice (tkbili), stalks, and pips, are poured in traditional terracotta amphorae known as qvevri (kvevri). The amphorae are sealed and are then buried underground, or kept in ... Read more

Arguably the most popular white grape in Georgia and possibly one of the oldest grapes in the world, Rkatsiteli is an incredibly versatile variety used in the production of brandy and dry, sparkling, fortified, and dessert wines. Although it is grown in several other European countries, ... Read more

Chinuri is a native Georgian grape that originated in Kartli, but it is also cultivated in Kakheti. This late-ripening grape produces high yields, and it is known for its ability to achieve crisp acidity and moderate sugar. It is used in the production of dry wines, but it is also known ... Read more

Chacha is a potent Georgian brandy that is made from pomace—solid remains of grapes such as skins, stems, and seeds that are left after the juice has been pressed. The drink is usually a by-product of winemaking, in which the pomace is collected and aged before it is disti... Read more

Tsinandali is a Georgian appellation for white wines produced with a blend of local Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane varieties. It is located in Kakheti, more precisely in the regions Telavi and Kvareli. The appellation includes classic dry wines and traditional Georgian wines made in qvevri (clay... Read more

Tsolikouri is a native white grape widely planted in western Georgia. This versatile, late-ripening variety is used in the production of dry white wines and semi-sweet dessert styles from the Tvishi appellation. It also shows some potential to produce good sparkling wines. The grape is u... Read more

Mtsvane Kakhuri, or simply Mtsvane, is an aromatic white grape native to Georgia. The grape produces alcoholic and tannic white wines. It is mainly found in Kakheti, where it is used in varietals and blends and several regional appellations. Although suitable for various styles, it is pr... Read more

Tavkveri is a native Georgian grape that produces juicy and lively wines. The grape is cultivated in eastern and central Georgia, mainly in Kakheti and Kartli. It is used for varietals and red and rosé blends. Tavkveri is suitable for various wine styles and can be used for classi... Read more

Shavkapito is a red Georgian grape native to the Kartli region. The grape is rarely cultivated, but it has great potential, and the plantings in the native Kartli region are increasing. The variety is used for dry red wines, but it is also sometimes used for regional qvevri (amphora) sty... Read more

Kisi is a native Georgian variety that is mainly associated with Kakheti. Like many Georgian grapes, this white variety is also used for classic dry styles and traditional Georgian amber wines made in large clay vessels (qvevri). The grape is often blended with Rkatsiteli and Mt... Read more

Tsitska is an old native Georgian grape hailing from the Imereti region. This late-ripening grape produces wines of excellent quality that are typically light and vibrant. The grape is often blended with Tsolikouri and sometimes Krakhuna (Sviri appellation). Dry Tsitska wines are straw-c... Read more