Georgian Culinary Guide: A Toast to Tradition
Welcome to your culinary guide to Georgian ( 🇬🇪) food and drinks. Step off the plane in Tbilisi, and you’re no longer a mere traveler; you’re an honored guest in a land where hospitality transcends mere politeness.
Take a look at the symbol of Georgia this powerful metal statue that overlooks the capital city of Tbilisi – Kartlis Georgia (Mother of Georgia). The statue was erected on the top of Sololaki Hill in 1958, the year Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary. A formidable 23-meter aluminum hostess and symbol holding a chalice in one hand and a sword in another. ‘Are you friend or foe?’ she asks. We’re coming as friends palettes awaiting eagerly for the Supra to come.
A Journey through the Ages
Here, every meal is a journey through history, every sip of wine a celebration of resilience. Georgia, with its verdant valleys and ancient vineyards, is a place where culinary traditions aren’t just preserved; they’re cherished and shared generously. it is no wonder that this land was so often coveted by invading civilizations Greeks, Mongols, Turks, and Arabs passing along the silk road. While the one that probably sticks out more in our minds and modern history is Russia, Georgia’s Euro-leaning tendencies while preserving its ancestorial path and language, make it a must-visit country for anyone in love with nature, good food, & wine.
10 must-try Georgian foods and drinks
In this Georgian culinary guide, I share my experiences sampling the unmistakable delights of Georgia.
Khachapuri: A Love Affair with Cheese
Imagine a dish so indulgent that it pulls at the heartstrings of cheese lovers worldwide. Khachapuri is not just a cheese bread; it’s a warm, comforting embrace from Georgia. The Adjaruli version—a boat-shaped bread filled with a molten lake of cheese, topped with a raw egg and butter—commands you to dive in with both hands and relish the gooey goodness. You’ll encounter many regional puris (breads), including my favorite Tushetian Kotori all distinct and delicious and worth a try.
Khinkali: The Art of the Dumpling
Think of an Asian dumpling on steroids, ready to quench the appetite of hungry consumers. These stuffed dumplings, robust with spiced meat and brimming with broth, demand dexterity and appetite.Pinch the top, take a careful bite, sip the broth, and then devour the rest, leaving behind the pleated dough handle—a trophy of your culinary conquest.
Churchkhela: Georgia’s Snack of Warriors
Walking through a Georgian bazaar, you’ll spot strings of churchkhela hanging like exotic candles. Nicknamed the “snickers” of Georgia, these nutty, grape must sausages were historically a soldier’s snack. Today, they’re a testament to Georgian ingenuity—offering a chewy, sweet, and protein-packed treat that fuels you through your explorations.
Pkhali: A Symphony of Vegetables and Walnuts
Want to get your kiddies to eat their vegetables? Pkhali turns vegetables into vibrant canvases of flavor, each a colorful blend of pureed veggies, walnuts, and herbs. This dish is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate, with its crown of pomegranate seeds adding a burst of tartness that cuts through the richness.
Orange Wine: A Legacy of the Vine
Nothing to do with the citrus fruit and everything to offer in complexity and refinement. If wine could tell stories, Georgian orange wine would recite epics of ancient viniculture, its amber hue reminiscent of a setting sun. This wine—robust, with a tannic grip and complex notes—challenges the palate and rewards the adventurous with its depth and history. A Georgian winemaker made it very clear to me that Georgian wines are to be enjoyed with your meal. Best savored with friends always bringing a festive moment to the table.
Satsivi: A Celebration of Sauce
Silky, nutty, and enchantingly spiced, satsivi sauce transforms chicken into a dish worthy of the most lavish Georgian feast. It’s a culinary hug that combines the warmth of walnuts and the zest of garlic, draped over tender poultry that begs for just one more bite.
Ajapsandali: A Spicy Mélange
Ajapsandali is a vibrant testament to the power of the Georgian summer garden, marrying eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes in a spicy, garlicky stew that sings with the flavors of the Caucasus. While this may look to you like the French ratatouille or the Spanish pisto, this is a dish that is a taste of Georgia in every bite. Each spoonful is a burst of summer, spiced with the memories of sun-drenched days.
Lobio: More Than Just Beans
I love a good bean dish and in Georgia I was not disappointed. In Georgia, lobio is not merely beans; it’s a narrative of the earth itself, infused with spices and herbs that tell tales of the Georgian countryside. This dish, with its hearty texture and complex flavors, is both humble and profound—like Georgia itself.
Chacha: The Spirit of Georgia
Chacha is more than just a grape brandy; it’s Georgia’s fiery heartbeat in liquid form. Clear and potent, it captures the wild spirit of the vineyards and the soul of its people, a traditional toast to health and happiness. If you are offered chacha, you are offered friendship in a glass.
Georgian Cheese: The Taste of the Mountains
From the supple, saltiness of Sulguni to the creamy depth of Imeretian, Georgian cheese is a landscape of flavor. Each variety tells a story of mountain pastures and time-honored techniques, a dairy tradition as old as the hills.
The Supra – A Feast of Friendship
Don’t be surprised if you sit down at a Georgian table and find yourself lingering for hours. In Georgia, a meal is a supra—a table bending under the weight of dishes, a celebration of life’s bounty. This culinary journey through Georgia offers a taste of a culture where every dish has a story and every meal is shared with open hearts and generous spirits.
This Georgian culinary guide aims to entice you to visit and experience the rich flavors of Georgia firsthand. A safe and inviting place to explore the traditions and culinary delights of the Caucasus.
Join us for a taste of Georgia from feasts to wine country with a Let’s Eat Georgia tour from Let’s Eat The World.
