The Georgian food and drinks really surprised me! Friends already told me about their cuisine and apparently, it has some of the oldest and most diverse culinary traditions in the world. The food is rich in flavours and some dishes are pretty heavy but oh-so delicious! I visited Georgia in September and went hiking, so in the mountains, my belly was very happy with all the carbs. Planning a trip to Georgia soon? Check out this Georgia Itinerary.
When you visit Georgia, you have to try the following types of food:
1. Khinkali, Georgian dumplings
If you like dumplings, you will love Khinkali, a typical Georgian dish/appetizer. Be aware: there is a specific way to eat these guys, so do your research or try them with a local. I did some research, but I guess I skipped this part. Luckily, I had the chance to learn how to eat them from a local girl. She worked at a hostel and we went all out for some food together. She ordered all kinds of stuff and explained everything, it was great!
2. Khachapuri (adjaruli)
The famous Khachapuri, is not only a delicacy in Georgia, but apparently, they eat it in Russia as well. Anyway, it’s basically bread with egg and cheese. Doesn’t sound spectacular until you see how it looks and you think of a strategy to eat it without making your plate a complete warzone. I love bread and cheese so even though portions were huge, I just kept eating. and eating. and eating.
3. Churchkhela and/or Tklapi
Churchkhela and Tklapi are a sweet and healthy snack made out of dried fruits, available in many colours and flavours. I personally liked the Tklapi more than the Churchkhela, but they are both a good snack. You can buy them in different places around Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia, and even at the side of the road in little market stands. Churchkhela is a traditional sweet made by dipping a string of nuts (often walnuts or hazelnuts) into a thick grape juice mixture. They then dry them in the sun, which results in a sweet but chewy snack. I personally prefer the Tklapi a bit more, this is a fruit leather made from pureed fruit that is spread out thinly and dried in the sun. Try the pomegranate Tklapi and the Churchkhela with walnuts inside!
4. Kharcho
Kharcho is a hearty beef stew made with walnuts, tomatoes, and a variety of herbs and spices. It is typically served with rice or bread. A perfect dish to have after a long day outdoors. I had this after I arrived in Mestia, the night before I started the 3 days trek to Ushguli.
5. Pkhali
This is a vegetarian dish made from ground vegetables, nuts, and herbs. The mixture is typically shaped into small balls or patties and served cold as an appetizer.
6. Gozinaki
Gozinaki is a sweet delicacy made from honey and nuts (usually walnuts or hazelnuts). They heat the honey until it becomes thick and they mix it with the nuts. Once it has dried and become hard, it’s a sweet and nutritious snack!
7. Bread or Puri
Bread and cheese are some of my favourite food products and luckily there is lots of it in Georgia. Bread is called Puri in Georgian and they have several types of bread that are popular in the country. The bread is traditionally made in a circular clay oven in which the breads are baked on the inside walls of the oven. I’m really bad at explaining it so, just check the photo below 🙂
8. Cheese
Georgia also has a variety of cheeses, and they use this a lot in their dishes and for snacks. The types of cheese you will mostly find are Sulguni, Imeretian, and Rachuli. So when you go for a glass (or several) of wine, make sure you order that cheese platter with it.
9. Wines
Georgia is also known for its wines, as they have multiple regions with vineyards. Personally, I visited Sighnaghi, east of Tbilisi. I actually never tried Georgian wine before visiting this country, but they have been making wines for thousands of years. Wine from Georgia is unique because the Georgians use a traditional method that involves fermenting the grape juice in clay vessels called Qvevri, which are buried underground. Especially the orange wine was new to me. Georgian orange wine is made of white grapes that are fermented with their skin. This wine has a distinct taste and is quite sweet.
So as you have read now, Georgia has an amazing cuisine. Not the healthiest with all the carbs, but definitely good. So make sure you try as much as possible as you are going to miss it. Also, buy yourself a jar of fresh organic honey if you see a stand at the side of the road. It will be amazing!
If you want to have an impression of my solo trip to Georgia, watch my Georgia video.
Travelbecks 