Georgian cuisine (
Georgian: ქართული სამზარეულო, romanized:kartuli samzareulo) consists of cooking traditions, techniques, and practices of
Georgia. Georgian cuisine has a distinct character, while bearing some similarities with various national cuisines of the
South Caucasus, the
Middle East and
Eastern Europe. Every region of Georgia has its own distinct style of food preparation. Eating and
drinking are important parts of
Georgian culture.
Georgia was one of the countries on the
Silk Road, which resulted in travelers influencing Georgian cuisine. The Georgian love of family and friends is one of the reasons why the supra (tablecloth) is so important in Georgia. Supra is offered spontaneously to relatives, friends or guests. Every supra has its tamada (
toastmaster), who gives the toast and entertains the guests.
Regional traditional cuisines
Abkhazia
Abkhazian cuisine uses many
spices and
walnuts. The most popular dishes from Abkhazia are Abysta (Абыста,
porridge made of corn, similar to the Margal
Ghomi), Apyrpylchapa (Апырпылчапа, pepper skin stuffed with walnut sauce), Achma (Ачма, a variation of
Khachapuri), Aritsvmgeli (Арицвмгели, corn bread with walnut), Achash (Ачаш, Abkhaz chudu, with cheese), Achapa (Ачапа, kidney beans with walnut) and Akutaghchapa (Акутагьчапа, hard boiled eggs filled with walnuts, similar to
deviled eggs). The most popular dessert is Akuarkuar, a
cookie with
honey.
Ajika is a hot, spicy, but subtly flavored sauce or paste, often used to flavor food. Ajika is also sold as a dry spice blend.[1][2]Abkhazian wines include Lykhny, Apsny, and Anakopia.
Adjara
Adjarian cuisine is considered a very diversified cuisine, which has been influenced by its geography (seaside, mountainous part) and by its history. In the mountainous Adjara, the main products are
dairy products and the dishes are more fat and heavy and on the other side, in the seaside of the region, dishes are mostly spiced, and use many fresh herbs. The most popular dishes in Adjara are
Adjaruli Khachapuri (აჭარული ხაჭაპური), Borano (ბორანო - chopped cheese fried in
ghee), Chirbuli (ჩირბული - omelette with walnuts and tomato), Malakhto (მალახტო - mashed kidney beans with walnuts and crude grape juice), Iakhni (იახნი - stew similar to
Kharcho, traditionally made in and around
Kobuleti) Khavitsi (ხავიწი - porridge of corn with
ghee), Sinori (სინორი - made of Nadughi and unleavened dough),
Pakhlava (პახლავა - a version of the
Turkish Baklava) and Shaqarlama (შაქარლამა - a biscuit).
Guria
The cuisine of
Guria is based mostly on poultry (especially
chicken meat), corn-bread (
Mchadi) and on walnuts, like the cuisine of
Imereti. The most popular dishes from Guria are
Satsivi (საცივი - meat, mostly of chicken/turkey in walnut sauce called
bazhe),
Mchadi (მჭადი - Cornbread),
Kupati (კუპატი - sausage made from pork meat),
Badrijani Nigvzit (ბადრიჯანი ნიგვზით - fried
eggplant with walnut sauce),
Gurian Ghvezeli (გურული ღვეზელი - crescent shaped kind of khachapuri filled with cheese and hard boiled egg which is usually eaten on Christmas Day), Brinjula (ბრინჯულა - a sort of cheese omelette "with a dough base" similar to khachapuri)
Pkhali (ფხალი) and Kuchmachi (კუჭმაჭი - Beef or poultry livers with walnut sauce and pomegranate).
Imereti
The cuisine of
Imereti shares many affinities with the neighbouring region of
Guria and is known for its plentiful use of
walnuts. The most famous Imeretian dishes include
Imeruli Khachapuri (იმერული ხაჭაპური - the most common version of the Georgian cheese bread),
Mchadi (მჭადი - Cornbread),
Pkhali (ფხალი),
Kuchmachi (კუჭმაჭი - beef or poultry livers with walnut sauce and pomegranate), Soko (სოკო - fried mushrooms), Lobio (ლობიო - mashed red beans with spices),
Badrijani Nigvzit (ბადრიჯანი ნიგვზით - fried eggplant with walnut sauce),
Chakhokhbili (ჩახოხბილი -
tomato-based soup with poultry meat), Mtsnili (მწნილი - pickled vegetables such as cucumbers, cabbage, beets, and jonjoli), Ekala (ეკალა - pkhali made from
smilax)
Kupati (კუპატი - pork sausage),
Satsivi (საცივი - meat, mostly of chicken/turkey in walnut sauce called
bazhe), and Tsitsila Isrim-Maqvalshi (წიწილა ისრიმ-მაყვალში - roasted chick in a blackberry and grape based sauce).[citation needed]Imereti is known for its cheeses such as Chkinti (ჭყინტი - Salty cheese),[3] Imeruli Kveli (იმერული ყველი) and also
Sulguni (სულგუნი).
Kakheti
Kakhetian cuisine is considered to be a more meat-based cuisine and the region itself is called the "Region of Wine".[by whom?] It is also known as the birth-place of one type of
Georgian bread,
Tonis Puri.
Notable dishes from Kakheti include
Mtsvadi (მწვადი - meat cooked on fire),
Chakapuli (ჩაქაფული - soup made of fresh herbs such as
tarragon and meat of sheep or lamb),
Khinkali (ხინკალი - dumplings filled with meat and seasoned with herbs),
Khashlama (ხაშლამა - boiled meat of beef or lamb),
Khashi (ხაში - boiled meat, often eaten after Supra),
Chanakhi (ჩანახი - soup made of lamb and tomatoes),
Chikhirtma (ჩიხირთმა - soup made of chicken meat), and
Ajapsandali (აჯაფსანდალი - kind of ragout made of eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes).
In Kakheti, they make famous desserts such as
Churchkhela (ჩურჩხელა - Candy made of grape juice and walnuts), and
Pelamushi (ფელამუში - Dessert made of grape juice).
Kakheti is also well known for its
wines, with wine growing regions such as the Alazani valley, Tsinandali and Kindzmarauli and many indigenous grape varieties including Saperavi, Kisi, Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane.
Kartli
Kartli is known as a very rich region in terms of fruits (especially apples, apricots, figs, and peaches) and vegetables (especially cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions).
Kartlian dishes include Puris Kharcho (პურის ხარჩო - a kind of soup made of bread), Shechamandi (შეჭამანდი - soup made of dogwood or docks),
Jonjoli (ჯონჯოლი - pickles made of Bladdernuts), Chakhrakina (ჭახრაკინა - a kind of
Khachapuri filled with cheese and beetroot leaves), Khabizgina (ხაბიზგინა -
OssetianKhachapuri filled with cheese and potatoes), and
Chakapuli (ჩაქაფული - soup made of fresh herbs and meat of lamb or beef).
Lazeti
Though most of the historical part of
Lazeti is located in
Turkey, Lazes in Georgia, especially in
Sarpi, still continue to carry their traditional dishes, some of them being :
The regional cuisine of
Samegrelo can be considered the most famous in
Georgia. It uses many spices and walnuts.
Famous Megrelian dishes include Ghomi (ღომი -
porridge made of
corn meal), Elarji (ელარჯი - ghomi with
Sulguni), Gebzhalia (გებჟალია - rolls of cheese seasoned with mint),
Megrelian Khachapuri (მეგრული ხაჭაპური -
Khachapuri with cheese added on the top),
Kupati (კუპატი - sausage made from pork organs and belly meat), Tabaka (ტაბაკა - chicken cooked with
Ajika), and
Kharcho (ხარჩო - soup with beef).
Sulguni (სულგუნი) is traditionally made in the region.
Ajika (აჯიკა) is a sauce made of pepper and spices. It is made traditionally in
Samegrelo and in
Abkhazia.
Mtianeti, Khevi, Khevsureti, Pshavi and Tusheti
These cuisines are often considered as one due to their similarities.
Famous dishes include
Khinkali (ხინკალი - dumplings filled with meat, mushrooms, potatoes or cottage cheese), Gordila (გორდილა - boiled dough), Qaghi (ყაღი - dried and salted meat), Kaurma (ყაურმა - a kind of soup made from meat), Kotori (კოტორი -
Khachapuri filled with cottage cheese), Khachoerbo (ხაჭოერბო - dried cottage cheese in a ball shape), Megrelian kharcho (ხარშო - beef stew in rich walnut sauce) and Khavitsi (ხავიწი - melted cheese)
These regions are also well known for their beer (ლუდი) and alcohol, Zhipitauri (ჟიპიტაური).
Racha-Lechkhumi
The cuisines of
Racha and of
Lechkhumi share most of their dishes and are often grouped into one cuisine as a consequence.
Notable dishes include Shkmeruli (შქმერული - chicken in a sauce made of cream and garlic), Lori (ლორი - pork
bacon),
Lobiani (ლობიანი - a kind of
Khachapuri filled with kidney beans and lori),
Lobio (ლობიო - mashed kidney beans with spices),
Rachuli Khachapuri (რაჭული ხაჭაპური - a kind of
Khachapuri made into a square form).
Samtskhe-Javakheti
The Cuisine of
Samtskhe-Javakheti consists of two regional cuisines:
Meskhetian and
Javakhetian. Due to their similarities, they are often considered one regional cuisine. This cuisine differs significantly from other regional cuisine of Georgia, partly because of its heavy use of goose meat and historical Turkish rule of the region.
Famous dishes from Samtskhe-Javakheti include Batis Shechamandi (ბატის შეჭამანდი - soup made of
goose),
Meskhuri Khinkali (მესხური ხინკალი -
Khinkali filled with goose), Apokhti (აპოხტი - dried meat of lamb, beef, goose and duck), Tatarboragi (თათარბორაგი - boiled dough), and Rdzis Korkoti (რძის კორკოტი - wheat grains boiled in milk).
Snails or Lokokina (ლოკოკინა) are also a very common dish in the region due to the presence of
French Catholics in the past.
Samtskhe-Javakheti is also famous for its Chiri (ჩირი - dried fruits), Tklapi (ტყლაპი - fruit roll-up) and
Tenili (ტენილი - a preserved, hand-pulled cheese).
Svaneti
Main dishes from Svaneti include
Kubdari (კუბდარი - also known as Svan
Khachapuri, a kind of
Khachapuri filled with seasoned beef or pork), P'etvraal (ფეტვრაალი -
Khachapuri filled with cheese and
millet), Chvishtari (ჭვიშტარი -
Mchadi with
Sulguni inside), Lutspeq (ლუცფექ - boiled
barley grains seasoned with pepper and garlic), Kharshil (ხარშილ - soup of barley and
urtica), Tashmijabi (თაშმიჯაბი - mashed potatoes with
Sulguni).
Svaneti is also famous for its local
alcohol made from fruits such as
elderberry, and even
honey.
Agasyllis (
Svanetian ღეჰი Ghehi / (Georgian: დუცი Dootsi ) is a local,
Angelica-like plant with medicinal properties that is also eaten raw, cooked and
pickled as a delicacy considered to benefit the digestion. It is also taken to combat parasitic worms and to treat respiratory complaints.[5]
Appetizers
Abkhazura (აფხაზურა): Caul fat rolled meatballs from
Abkhazia.
Achma (აჩმა): A dish with multiple layers of cheese and bread. It bears resemblance to a sauceless
lasagna.
Khachapuri, also spelled as hachapuri, is a traditional Georgian dish of
cheese (fresh or aged, most commonly
sulguni), eggs and other ingredients.[6]
There are several distinctive types of khachapuri in Georgian food from different regions of Georgia:
Achma (აჩმა), from
Abkhazia, which has multiple layers and looks more like a sauceless lasagna.
Adjarian (Adjaruli / (აჭარული) Khachapuri, in which the dough is formed into an open boat shape and the hot pie is topped with a raw egg yolk and a pat of butter before serving.
Chakhrakina (ჭახრაკინა) is a variation of Khachapuri made in
Kartli and in
Racha. It is filled with cheese and
beets leaves.
Kotori (კოტორი) is a Khachapuri made in
Tusheti. The dough should be as thin as possible; and the filling consists of Kalti (კალტი - a sort of
cottage cheese made in the region) and
erbo.
Gurian (Guruli / (გურული) Khachapuri has boiled eggs inside the dough and looks like a calzone. Arguably, it is not a type of khachapuri. Gurians make them for Christmas and call them simply 'Christmas pie'. In the rest of Georgia, it is called 'Gurian pie'.
Imeretian (Imeruli / (იმერული) Khachapuri, which is circular and probably the most common type.[7]
Lemzira (ლემზირა) is a
Svanetian ritual cheese bread mostly made in a round or triangular shape.
Mingrelian Khachapuri also called "Megruli" (მეგრული), similar to Imeretian but with more cheese added on top.
Meskhuri Khachapuri (მესხური) is a Khachapuri made of puff pastry dough and cheese.
Lard is added in the dough and filling which give it a distinct taste from the more widespread Penovani Khachapuri. it is made in
Meskheti.
Ossetian Khachapuri also called "Osuri" (ოსური) or by its original name "Khabizgina" (ხაბიზგინა) is a version of Khachapuri which has potato, as well as cheese in its filling.
Petvraali (ფეტვრაალი) is a sort of Khachapuri filled with cheese and
millet, made in
Svaneti.
Penovani Khachapuri (ფენოვანი) is made with puff pastry dough, resulting in a flaky variety of the pie. It is often sold as street food in local bakeries.
Pkhlovana or Mkhlovana (მხლოვანა / ფხლოვანა) is a Khachapuri made in the mountainous areas of Georgia, especially
Khevi. It is similar to Chakhrakina but spinach is also added in the filling.
Rachuli Khachapuri also called “Bachuli” (რაჭული / ბაჭული) is a version of Khachapuri made in
Racha. It is filled with cheese and is of rectangular shape and puff pastry dough is used.
Cheeses
Adjaruli Chechili (აჭარული ჩეჩილი): Cheese made in
Adjara from cow milk, which is shaped into ropes.
Chogi (ჩოგი): Cheese made from sheep milk in
Tusheti.[8]
Chkinti' (ჭყინტი): Salty and juicy cheese made originally in
Imereti.
Dambalkhacho (დამბალხაჭო): Moldy cheese made in
Pshavi and
Mtiuleti. It is considered one of the most ancient and expensive cheeses.
Dampali Kveli (დამპალი ყველი): Rare cheese with a butter filling inside.
Kartuli (ქართული): Cheese made from a mixture of around 50% cow milk and a mixture of sheep, goat or buffalo milk.
Guda (გუდა): Cheese made from sheep milk in
Tusheti. Its preparation lasts 20 days.
Imeruli (იმერული): Cheese made in the region of
Imereti from cow milk.
Kalti (კალტი): Cheese made in mountainous regions of Georgia. It is often considered a shepherds' cheese because of its nutritional values.
Meskhuri Chechili (მესხური ჩეჩილი): Cheese made in
Meskheti and same as the Adjarian one.
Narchvi (ნარჩვი): Cheese made in
Svaneti. It is shaped in curds.
Sulguni (სულგუნი): One of the most famous cheeses in Georgia, which comes from
Mingrelia. It is made from cow or buffalo milk. Outside Mingrelia, it is also made in
Svaneti.
Tenili (ტენილი): Cheese made in
Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is shaped in curds.
Salads
Kitri Pomidvris Salata (კიტრი პომიდვრის სალათა):
Cucumber and
tomato salad with Georgian herbs, greens and Kakhetian oil (კახური ზეთი). It is sometimes eaten with a walnut sauce.
Sagazapkhulo Salata (საგაზაფხულო სალათა): Salad made during
Spring. There is not a strict recipe but it is mostly made of fresh ingredients and boiled eggs.
Satatsuris Salata (სატაცურის სალათა): Salad made of
asparagus.
Tcharkhlis Salata (ჭარხლის სალათა): Salad made of
beets.
Soups and stews
Bozbashi (ბოზბაში): Soup made of
mutton and peas and chestnuts, mostly consumed in
Kakheti.
Chakapuli (ჩაქაფული): Stew made of lamb or beef (or veal), tarragon and cherry plums in Eastern Georgia (Kakheti and
Kartli).
Chakhokhbili (ჩახოხბილი): Soup made of tomatoes and poultry meat (mostly chicken or turkey) which originated in Western Georgia.
Chikhirtma (ჩიხირთმა): Soup made of turkey or chicken meat and eggs which is traditionally made in
Kakheti.
Kharcho (ხარჩო): Soup made of beef, rice, cherry plums and walnuts from
Mingrelia.
Kharshil (ხარშილ): Soup made of spinach in
Svaneti.
Khashi (ხაში): Boiled cow or sheep parts in their juice. Mostly made in the Eastern regions, especially
Kakheti.
Lobio (ლობიო): Stew made mostly from kidney beans. Popular in Western Georgia.
Matsvnis Supi (მაწვნის სუპი): Soup made mainly of
Matsoni.
Puris Kharcho (პურის ხარჩო): Soup made of bread. It originated in
Kartli.
Shechamandi (შეჭამანდი): Different sorts of soup made by a principle ingredients, mostly made in
Kartli. These soups can be made of spinach,
malva, garlic,
dogwood, grains,
sorrel, pink
peavine and other ingredients.
Fish
Though Georgian cuisine is not very fish-oriented, there are still some dishes mainly made of
trout,
catfish and
carp:
Kalmakhi Tarkhunit (კალმახი ტარხუნით): Fried
trout with tarragon.
Kalmakhis Kubdari (კალმახის კუბდარი):
Kubdari filled with minced
trout, onions, coriander and
ajika.
Kapchoni Mchkudi (ქაფჩონი მჭკუდი): Cornbread made with
anchovy, which is made in
Adjara by the
Lazs.
Lobio nigvzit (ლობიო ნიგვზით): Kidney beans with walnuts.
Pkhali (ფხალი): Minced vegetables with pomegranates.
Qnashi (ქნაში): Boiled minced
pumpkin seeds which are later spiced and formed into a circle.
Shechamandi (შეჭამანდი): Soup, mostly made in Kartli of spinach, malva, garlic, dogwood, grains, sorrel, pink peavine, and other plant ingredients.
Desserts
Chiri (ჩირი): Dried fruits mostly apricots, grapes, plums and figs.
Korkota (კორკოტა) is a porridge made by mixing soaked
grains, honey, sugar, raisins and sometimes also walnuts togheter. It is often served at
funreals.[11]
Churchkhela (ჩურჩხელა): Candy made of grape juice mixed with flour and walnuts. It originated in
Kakheti.
Janjukha (ჯანჯუხა): Same as Churchkhela but instead of walnuts, chopped
hazelnuts are used. It is made in
Guria.
Gozinaki (გოზინაყი): Candy made mostly for
New Year. It is made from chopped walnuts and honey.
Muraba (მურაბა): Sort of
jam made mostly from fruits such as walnut, watermelon, quince, fig, berries and from flowers (especially wild rose).
Pelamushi (ფელამუში): Dessert made of grape juice and flour, similar to a sweet porridge.
Tklapi (ტყლაპი): Is a type of Georgian fruit leather made with fruit purée, or excess juice of Churchkhela.
Georgia is the oldest
wine-producing region in the world. The fertile valleys and protective slopes of the
Transcaucasia were home to
grapevine cultivation and
neolithic wine production (
Georgian: ღვინო, ɣvino) for at least 8000 years.[12][13][14][15] Due to the many millennia of wine in Georgian history and its prominent economic role, the traditions of wine are considered entwined with and inseparable from the national identity.[12]
Alcoholic drinks from Georgia include
chacha and
wine (especially
Georgian wine). Some of the most well-known Georgian wines include Pirosmani,
Alazani,
Akhasheni,
Saperavi, and
Kindzmarauli. Wine culture in Georgia dates back thousands of years, and many
Georgian wines are made from traditional Georgian grape varieties that are little known in the West, such as
Saperavi and
Rkatsiteli.
Georgian wine is well known throughout Eastern Europe, and is a significant national export, with exports of over 10 million bottles of wine per year. Georgia is also home to many
beer brands, including Natakhtari, Kazbegi, Argo, Kasri, and Karva. There are also many craft beer brands such as Shavi Lomi, Megobrebi, NaturAle & Underground.
Georgian cuisine is primarily popular in the
post-Soviet states, although it has been gaining popularity in the
Western world too in recent years. As such, American magazine
Thrillist placed Georgian cuisine as the 4th among the indigenous cuisines of the 48 European countries.[18]
In 2010, Georgian cuisine was described as having had an exotic appeal to Russians that The Independent compared to that of
Indian cuisine to the British.[19]
^2017 Ethnobotany of the Caucasus, Rainer W. Bussmann Editor ISBN 978-3-319-49411-1 pps. 85-88.
Part of the series European Ethnobotany,
Series Editors: Andrea Pieroni, Manuel Pardo-de-Santayana and Renata Sõukand
pub. Springer Reference.