Georgian cuisine
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Georgian cuisine () consists of cooking traditions, techniques, and practices of
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
. Georgian cuisine has a distinct character, while bearing some similarities with various national cuisines of the
Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have historica ...
and the wider Eastern Europe. Every region of Georgia has its own distinct style of food preparation. Eating and drinking are important parts of
Georgian culture The culture of Georgia has evolved over the country's long history, providing it with a unique national identity and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian language and alphabet. This strong sense of national identity has helped to pre ...
. Georgia was one of the countries on the
Silk Road The Silk Road () was a network of Eurasian trade routes active from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century. Spanning over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles), it played a central role in facilitating economic, cultural, political, and rel ...
, which resulted in travelers influencing Georgian cuisine. The Georgian love of family and friends is one of the reasons why the (tablecloth) is so important in Georgia. ''Supra'' is offered spontaneously to relatives, friends or guests. Every has its ( toastmaster), who gives the toast and entertains the guests.


Regional traditional cuisines


Abkhazia

Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
n cuisine uses many
spice A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spices a ...
s and walnuts. * The most popular dishes from Abkhazia are Abysta (Абыста -
porridge Porridge is a food made by heating or boiling ground, crushed or chopped starchy plants, typically grain, in milk or water. It is often cooked or served with added flavourings such as sugar, honey, (dried) fruit or syrup to make a sweet cereal, ...
made of corn, similar to the Mingrelian 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 dip, often used to flavor food. Ajika is also sold as a dry spice blend. * 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 (), Borano ( - chopped cheese fried in
ghee Ghee is a type of clarified butter, originating from India. It is commonly used in India for cooking, as a traditional medicine, and for religious rituals. Description Ghee is typically prepared by simmering butter, which is churned from ...
), Chirbuli ( - omelette with walnuts and tomato), Malakhto ( - mashed kidney beans with walnuts and crude grape juice), Iakhni ( - stew similar to Kharcho, traditionally made in and around Kobuleti) Khavitsi ( - porridge of corn with
ghee Ghee is a type of clarified butter, originating from India. It is commonly used in India for cooking, as a traditional medicine, and for religious rituals. Description Ghee is typically prepared by simmering butter, which is churned from ...
), Sinori ( - made of Nadughi and unleavened dough), Pakhlava ( - a version of the Turkish Baklava) and Shaqarlama ( - a biscuit).


Guria

The cuisine of Guria is based mostly on poultry (especially
chicken The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adu ...
meat), corn-bread ( Mchadi) and on walnuts, like the cuisine of
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
. * The most popular dishes from Guria are
Satsivi Satsivi ( ka, საცივი, ''sac'ivi'', ; also known as chicken in walnut sauce) is a Georgian dish made from poultry such as turkey or chicken put into walnut sauce. The term ''satsivi'' is also used as a generic name for a variety of p ...
( - meat, mostly of chicken/turkey in walnut sauce called bazhe), Mchadi ( - Cornbread), Kupati ( - sausage made from pork meat), Badrijani Nigvzit ( - fried
eggplant Eggplant ( US, Canada), aubergine ( UK, Ireland) or brinjal (Indian subcontinent, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. ''Solanum melongena'' is grown worldwide for its edible fruit. Mo ...
with walnut sauce), Gurian Ghvezeli ( - crescent shaped kind of khachapuri filled with cheese and hard boiled egg which is usually eaten on Christmas Day), Brinjula ( - a sort of cheese omelette "with a dough base" similar to khachapuri)
Pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
() and Kuchmachi ( - Beef or poultry livers with walnut sauce and pomegranate).


Imereti

The cuisine of
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
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 ( - the most common version of the Georgian cheese bread), Mchadi ( - Cornbread),
Pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
(), Kuchmachi ( - beef or poultry livers with walnut sauce and pomegranate), Soko ( - fried mushrooms), Lobio ( - mashed red beans with spices), Badrijani Nigvzit ( - fried eggplant with walnut sauce), Chakhokhbili ( -
tomato The tomato is the edible berry of the plant ''Solanum lycopersicum'', commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word gave rise to the Spanish word ...
-based soup with poultry meat), Mtsnili ( - pickled vegetables such as cucumbers, cabbage, beets, and jonjoli), Ekala ( - pkhali made from
smilax ''Smilax'' is a genus of about 300–350 species, found in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. In China for example about 80 are found (39 of which are endemic), while there are 20 in North America north of Mexico. They are climbing flowering ...
) Kupati ( - pork sausage),
Satsivi Satsivi ( ka, საცივი, ''sac'ivi'', ; also known as chicken in walnut sauce) is a Georgian dish made from poultry such as turkey or chicken put into walnut sauce. The term ''satsivi'' is also used as a generic name for a variety of p ...
( - meat, mostly of chicken/turkey in walnut sauce called bazhe), and Tsitsila Isrim-Maqvalshi ( - roasted chick in a blackberry and grape based sauce) *
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
is also famous for its cheeses such as Chkinti ( - Salty cheese), Imeruli Kveli () and also Sulguni ().


Kakheti

Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
an cuisine is considered to be a more meat-based cuisine and the region itself is called the "Region of Wine". It is also known as the birth-place of one type of Georgian bread, Tonis Puri. * Notable dishes from Kakheti include
Mtsvadi Shashlik, or shashlick (russian: шашлык ''shashlyk''), is a dish of skewered and grilled cubes of meat, similar to or synonymous with shish kebab. It is known traditionally by various other names in Iran, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and C ...
( - meat cooked on fire), Chakapuli ( - soup made of fresh herbs such as
tarragon Tarragon (''Artemisia dracunculus''), also known as estragon, is a species of perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread in the wild across much of Eurasia and North America and is cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes. ...
and meat of sheep or lamb), Khinkali ( - dumplings filled with meat and seasoned with herbs), Khashlama ( - boiled meat of beef or lamb), Khashi ( - boiled meat, often eaten after Supra),
Chanakhi Chanakhi ( ka, ჩანახი) is a traditional GeorgianDarra Goldstein, ''The Georgian Feast: The Vibrant Culture and Savory Food of Georgia,'' p. 86V.V. Pokhlebkin, ''National Cuisines of the Peoples of the Soviet Union''Chanakhi, Tsentrp ...
( - soup made of lamb and tomatoes), Chikhirtma ( - soup made of chicken meat), and Ajapsandali ( - kind of ragout made of eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes). * In Kakheti, they make famous desserts such as
Churchkhela Churchkhela ( ka, ჩურჩხელა, ) is a traditional Georgian cuisine candle-shaped candy. The main ingredients of Churchkhela are grape must, nuts, and flour. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and chocolate and sometimes raisins are ...
( - Candy made of grape juice and walnuts), and Pelamushi ( - 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, Rkatsiteli, and Mtsvane.


Kartli

Kartli Kartli ( ka, ქართლი ) is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari (Kura), on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial rol ...
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 ( - a kind of soup made of bread), Shechamandi ( - soup made of dogwood or docks), Jonjoli ( - pickles made of Bladdernuts), Chakhrakina ( - a kind of Khachapuri filled with cheese and beetroot leaves), Khabizgina ( - Ossetian Khachapuri filled with cheese and potatoes), and Chakapuli ( - soup made of fresh herbs and meat of lamb or beef).


Lazeti

Though most of the historical part of Lazeti is located in
Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula ...
, Lazes in Georgia, especially in Sarpi, still continue to carry their traditional dishes, some of them being : * Bureği / Paponi (): Baked sweet pastry filled with milk pudding. * Gresta (): Chicken or beef with melted cheese and mushrooms. * Kapça Tağaney (): Fried anchovies and vegetables. * Kapça Princoni () : Anchovy
pilaf Pilaf ( US spelling) or pilau ( UK spelling) is a rice dish, or in some regions, a wheat dish, whose recipe usually involves cooking in stock or broth, adding spices, and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat, and employing some techn ...
. * Kapçoni Mç̌kudi (): Fried
cornbread Cornbread is a quick bread made with cornmeal, associated with the cuisine of the Southern United States, with origins in Native American cuisine. It is an example of batter bread. Dumplings and pancakes made with finely ground cornmeal are ...
with sliced anchovies,
pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
and herbs. * Lu Dudey (): Navy beans mixed with red
Pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
, onions and leeks. * Lu Ncaxeyi (): Sort of porridge made from different vegetables mostly cabbage, kidney beans, potato which are mixed with cornmeal. * Muhlama ():
Cornmeal Cornmeal is a meal (coarse flour) or a cell membrane ground from dried corn. It is a common staple food, and is ground to coarse, medium, and fine consistencies, but not as fine as wheat flour can be.Herbst, Sharon, ''Food Lover's Companion'', ...
with cheese.


Samegrelo

The regional cuisine of Samegrelo can be considered the most famous in
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
. It uses many spices and walnuts. * Famous Megrelian dishes include Ghomi ( -
porridge Porridge is a food made by heating or boiling ground, crushed or chopped starchy plants, typically grain, in milk or water. It is often cooked or served with added flavourings such as sugar, honey, (dried) fruit or syrup to make a sweet cereal, ...
made of
corn meal Cornmeal is a meal (coarse flour) or a cell membrane ground from dried corn. It is a common staple food, and is ground to coarse, medium, and fine consistencies, but not as fine as wheat flour can be.Herbst, Sharon, ''Food Lover's Companion'' ...
), Elarji ( - ghomi with Sulguni), Gebzhalia ( - rolls of cheese seasoned with mint), Megrelian Khachapuri ( - Khachapuri with cheese added on the top), Kupati ( - sausage made from pork organs and belly meat), Tabaka ( - chicken cooked with Ajika), and Kharcho ( - soup with beef). * Sulguni () is traditionally made in the region. * Ajika () is a sauce made of pepper and spices. It is made traditionally in Samegrelo and in
Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
.


Mtianeti, Khevi, Khevsureti, Pshavi and Tusheti

These cuisines are often considered as one due to their similarities. *Famous dishes include Khinkali ( - dumplings filled with meat, potatoes or cottage cheese), Gordila ( - boiled dough), Qaghi ( - dried and salted meat), Kaurma ( - a kind of soup made from meat), Kotori ( - Khachapuri filled with cottage cheese), Khachoerbo ( - dried cottage cheese in a ball shape) and Khavitsi ( - melted cheese) * Tusheti also produces a goat / sheep based cheese, called Guda (). * These regions are also well known for their beer () and alcohol, Zhipitauri ().


Racha-Lekhchumi

The cuisines of
Racha Racha (also Račha, , ''Račʼa'') is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains. Under Georgia's current subdivision, Racha is included in the Racha-Lechkhumi an ...
and of Lechkhumi share most of their dishes and are often grouped into one cuisine as a consequence. * Notable dishes include Shkmeruli ( - chicken in a sauce made of cream and garlic), Lori ( - pork
bacon Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork made from various cuts, typically the belly or less fatty parts of the back. It is eaten as a side dish (particularly in breakfasts), used as a central ingredient (e.g., the bacon, lettuce, and tomato sand ...
), Lobiani ( - a kind of Khachapuri filled with kidney beans and lori), Lobio ( - mashed kidney beans with spices), Rachuli Khachapuri ( - a kind of Khachapuri made into a square form).


Samtskhe-Javakheti

The Cuisine of Samtskhe-Javakheti consists of two regional cuisines: Meskhetian and
Javakheti Javakheti ( ka, ჯავახეთი ) or Javakhk ( hy, Ջավախք, ''Javakhk'') is a historical province in southern Georgia, corresponding to the modern municipalities of Akhalkalaki, Aspindza (partly), Ninotsminda, and partly to the Turk ...
an. 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 ( - soup made of
goose A goose ( : geese) is a bird of any of several waterfowl species in the family Anatidae. This group comprises the genera '' Anser'' (the grey geese and white geese) and ''Branta'' (the black geese). Some other birds, mostly related to the ...
), Meskhuri Khinkali ( - Khinkali filled with goose), Apokhti ( - dried meat of lamb, beef, goose and duck), Tatarboragi ( - boiled dough), and Rdzis Korkoti ( - wheat grains boiled in milk). * Snails or ''Lokokina'' () are also a very common dish in the region due to the presence of
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
Catholics in the past. * Samtskhe-Javakheti is also famous for its Chiri ( - dried fruits), Tklapi ( - fruit roll-up) and Tenili ( - a preserved, hand-pulled cheese).


Svaneti

* Main dishes from Svaneti include Kubdari ( - also known as ''Svan Khachapuri,'' a kind of Khachapuri filled with seasoned beef or pork), P'etvraal ( - Khachapuri filled with cheese and
millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets a ...
), Chvishtari ( - Mchadi with Sulguni inside), Lutspeq ( - boiled
barley Barley (''Hordeum vulgare''), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains, particularly in Eurasia as early as 10,000 years ago. Globally 70% of barley p ...
grains seasoned with pepper and garlic), Kharshil ( - soup of barley and
urtica ''Urtica'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. Many species have stinging hairs and may be called nettles or stinging nettles, although the latter name applies particularly to '' Urtica dioica''. ''Urtica'' species are food ...
), Tashmijabi ( - mashed potatoes with Sulguni). * Svaneti is also famous for its local
alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...
made from fruits such as elderberry, and even
honey Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of plants (primar ...
. * Svanetian salt, a spiced salt''FAO''
Atlas of Origin linked food Products in Georgia
Rome, 2020, pp. 83


Appetizers

* Abkhazura (): Caul fat rolled meatballs from
Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
. * Achma (): A dish with multiple layers of cheese and bread. It bears resemblance to a sauceless lasagna. * Ajapsandali (): A traditional Georgian meal. Consists of eggplants,
potatoes The potato is a starchy food, a tuber of the plant ''Solanum tuberosum'' and is a root vegetable native to the Americas. The plant is a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Wild potato species can be found from the southern United ...
,
onions An onion (''Allium cepa'' L., from Latin ''cepa'' meaning "onion"), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus '' Allium''. The shallot is a botanical variety of the on ...
and
spices A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spices are ...
. * Badrijnis Khizilala (): Fried and chopped eggplants. The name means "Eggplant Caviar". * Jonjoli (): Pickled flowers of bladdernut. * Khachapuri (): Cheese-bread with regional variation. This dish is very popular outside
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
, especially in the ex-USSR. * Kuchmachi (): Dish made of chicken livers. * Kupati (): Fried sausage from Western Georgia. * Kubdari (): Meat-bread made from bread, meat (), spices, and onions. * Lobiani (): Bean-stuffed Khachapuri. * Lobio (): Mashed beans with spices. *
Matsoni Matzoon ( hy, մածուն, ''matsun'') or matsoni ( ka, მაწონი, ''mats'oni'') is a fermented milk product of Armenian origin, distributed in Armenia and Georgia. The so-called ''Caspian Sea yogurt'' circulated and commercialized in ...
(): Dairy product, similar to yogurt or sour cream. * Mujuji (): Pork jelly. * Nadughi (): Cream-like dairy product. *
Nigvziani badrijani Nigvziani Badrijani ( ka, ნიგვზიანი ბადრიჯანი) is a Georgian dish made with fried eggplant stuffed with spiced walnut and garlic paste. It is often topped with pomegranate seeds. Preparation Salted eggpla ...
(): Fried
eggplant Eggplant ( US, Canada), aubergine ( UK, Ireland) or brinjal (Indian subcontinent, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. ''Solanum melongena'' is grown worldwide for its edible fruit. Mo ...
and walnut sauce. *
Pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
(): Minced and chopped vegetables, mostly made of
spinach Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either f ...
, beets, and
cabbage Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of ''Brassica oleracea'', is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage ( ''B.&n ...
. *
Satsivi Satsivi ( ka, საცივი, ''sac'ivi'', ; also known as chicken in walnut sauce) is a Georgian dish made from poultry such as turkey or chicken put into walnut sauce. The term ''satsivi'' is also used as a generic name for a variety of p ...
(): Poultry in a special walnut sauce. File:Ajapsandali - Georgian eggplant stew.jpg, Ajapsandali File:Badrijani (cropped).jpg,
Nigvziani Badrijani Nigvziani Badrijani ( ka, ნიგვზიანი ბადრიჯანი) is a Georgian dish made with fried eggplant stuffed with spiced walnut and garlic paste. It is often topped with pomegranate seeds. Preparation Salted eggpla ...
File:Spinach pkhali.jpg, Spinach Pkhali


Breads

Traditional Georgian
bread Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour (usually wheat) and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history and around the world, it has been an important part of many cultures' diet. It is one of the oldest human-made f ...
s are varied, and include Tonis Puri, Shotis Puri, Mesxuri Puri, Nazuki and Mchadi. Georgian breads are traditionally baked in a large, round, well-shaped oven called a ''tone''. File:Tone.JPG, Shotis Puri in Tone File:Georgian Lavashi.jpg, Traditional Tonis Puri File:Mchadi 2.jpg, Mchadi


Khachapuri

Khachapuri, also spelled as Hachapuri, is a traditional Georgian dish of
cheese Cheese is a dairy product produced in wide ranges of flavors, textures, and forms by coagulation of the milk protein casein. It comprises proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. During productio ...
(fresh or aged, most commonly sulguni), eggs and other ingredients. There are several distinctive types of khachapuri in Georgian food from different regions of Georgia: *Achma (), from
Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
, which has multiple layers and looks more like a sauceless lasagna. * Adjarian (Adjaruli / () 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 () is a variation of Khachapuri made in
Kartli Kartli ( ka, ქართლი ) is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari (Kura), on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial rol ...
and in
Racha Racha (also Račha, , ''Račʼa'') is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains. Under Georgia's current subdivision, Racha is included in the Racha-Lechkhumi an ...
. It is filled with cheese and beets leaves. *Kotori () is a Khachapuri made in Tusheti. The dough should be as thin as possible; and the filling consists of Kalti ( - a sort of
cottage cheese Cottage cheese is a curdled milk product with a mild flavor and a creamy, non-homogeneous, soupy texture. It is made from skimmed milk by draining the cheese, as opposed to pressing it to make cheese curd—retaining some of the whey and keep ...
made in the region) and erbo. * Gurian (Guruli / () 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'. *
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
an (Imeruli / () Khachapuri, which is circular and probably the most common type. *Lemzira () is a
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
an ritual cheese bread mostly made in a round or triangular shape. * Mingrelian Khachapuri also called "Megruli" (), similar to Imeretian but with more cheese added on top. *Meskhuri Khachapuri () is a Khachapuri made of puff pastry dough and cheese.
Lard Lard is a semi-solid white fat product obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of a pig.Lard
entry in the ...
is added in the dough and filling which give it a distinct taste from the more widespread Penovani Khachapuri. it is made in Meskheti. *
Ossetia Ossetia ( , ; os, Ирыстон or , or ; russian: Осетия, Osetiya; ka, ოსეთი, translit. ''Oseti'') is an ethnolinguistic region located on both sides of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, largely inhabited by the Ossetians. ...
n Khachapuri also called "Osuri" () or by its original name "Khabizgina" () is a version of Khachapuri which has potato, as well as cheese in its filling. *Petvraali () is a sort of Khachapuri filled with cheese and
millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets a ...
, made in
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
. *Penovani Khachapuri () 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 () 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” () is a version of Khachapuri made in
Racha Racha (also Račha, , ''Račʼa'') is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains. Under Georgia's current subdivision, Racha is included in the Racha-Lechkhumi an ...
. It is filled with cheese and is of rectangular shape and puff pastry dough is used.


Cheeses

* Adjaruli Chechili (): Cheese made in
Adjara Adjara ( ka, აჭარა ''Ach’ara'' ) or Achara, officially known as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara ( ka, აჭარის ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა ''Ach’aris Avt’onomiuri Resp’ublik’a'' ...
from cow milk, which is shaped into ropes. * Chogi (): Cheese made from sheep milk in Tusheti. * Chkinti' (): Salty and juicy cheese made originally in
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
. * Dambalkhacho (): Moldy cheese made in Pshavi and Mtiuleti. It is considered one of the most ancient and expensive cheeses. * Dampali Kveli (): Rare cheese with a butter filling inside. * Kartuli (): Cheese made from a mixture of around 50% cow milk and a mixture of sheep, goat or buffalo milk. * Guda (): Cheese made from sheep milk in Tusheti. Its preparation lasts 20 days. * Imeruli (): Cheese made in the region of
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
from cow milk. * Kalti (): Cheese made in mountainous regions of Georgia. It is often considered a shepherds' cheese because of its nutritional values. * Kobi (): Mixed cow/sheep milk cheese, mostly eaten in Eastern Georgia. * Meskhuri Chechili (): Cheese made in Meskheti and same as the Adjarian one. * Narchvi (): Cheese made in
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
. It is shaped in curds. * Sulguni (): One of the most famous cheeses in Georgia, which comes from
Mingrelia Mingrelia ( ka, სამეგრელო, tr; xmf, სამარგალო, samargalo; ab, Агырны, Agirni) is a historic province in the western part of Georgia (country), Georgia, formerly known as Odishi. It is primarily inhabited ...
. It is made from cow or buffalo milk. Outside Mingrelia, it is also made in
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
. * Tenili (): Cheese made in Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is shaped in curds.


Salads

* Kitri Pomidvris Salata ():
Cucumber Cucumber (''Cucumis sativus'') is a widely-cultivated creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family that bears usually cylindrical fruits, which are used as culinary vegetables.tomato The tomato is the edible berry of the plant ''Solanum lycopersicum'', commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word gave rise to the Spanish word ...
salad with Georgian herbs, greens and Kakhetian oil (). It is sometimes eaten with a walnut sauce. * Ispanakhis Salata ():
Spinach Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either f ...
salad. *
Pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
(): Minced vegetables in a ball shape. It is mainly made from
spinach Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either f ...
,
cabbage Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of ''Brassica oleracea'', is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage ( ''B.&n ...
or beans and is topped with pomegranate seeds. * Sagazapkhulo Salata (): Salad made during
Spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a h ...
. There is not a strict recipe but it is mostly made of fresh ingredients and boiled eggs. * Satatsuris Salata (): Salad made of asparagus. * Tcharkhlis Salata (): Salad made of beets.


Soups and stews

* Bozbashi (): Soup made of
mutton Lamb, hogget, and mutton, generically sheep meat, are the meat of domestic sheep, ''Ovis aries''. A sheep in its first year is a lamb and its meat is also lamb. The meat from sheep in their second year is hogget. Older sheep meat is mutton. Gen ...
and peas and chestnuts, mostly consumed in
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. * Chakapuli (): Stew made of lamb or beef (), tarragon and cherry plums in Eastern Georgia (). * Chakhokhbili (): Soup made of tomatoes and poultry meat () which originated in Western Georgia. * Chikhirtma (): Soup made of turkey or chicken meat and eggs which is traditionally made in
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. * Kharcho (): Soup made of beef, rice, cherry plums and walnuts from
Mingrelia Mingrelia ( ka, სამეგრელო, tr; xmf, სამარგალო, samargalo; ab, Агырны, Agirni) is a historic province in the western part of Georgia (country), Georgia, formerly known as Odishi. It is primarily inhabited ...
. * Kharshil (): Soup made of spinach in
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
. * Khashi (): Boiled cow or sheep parts in their juice. Mostly made in the Eastern regions, especially
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. * Lobio (): Stew made mostly from kidney beans. Popular in Western Georgia. * Matsvnis Supi (): Soup made mainly of
Matsoni Matzoon ( hy, մածուն, ''matsun'') or matsoni ( ka, მაწონი, ''mats'oni'') is a fermented milk product of Armenian origin, distributed in Armenia and Georgia. The so-called ''Caspian Sea yogurt'' circulated and commercialized in ...
. * Puris Kharcho (): Soup made of bread. It originated in
Kartli Kartli ( ka, ქართლი ) is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari (Kura), on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial rol ...
. * Shechamandi (): Different sorts of soup made by a principle ingredients, mostly made in
Kartli Kartli ( ka, ქართლი ) is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari (Kura), on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial rol ...
. These soups can be made of spinach, malva, garlic,
dogwood ''Cornus'' is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. Most are deciduous trees or ...
, grains,
sorrel Sorrel (''Rumex acetosa''), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock ('dock' being a common name for the genus '' ...
, pink peavine and other ingredients.


Fish

Though Georgian cuisine is not very fish-oriented, there are still some dishes mainly made of
trout Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', '' Salmo'' and '' Salvelinus'', all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word ''trout'' is also used as part of the name of some non-salm ...
,
catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, ...
and
carp Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. While carp is consumed in many parts of the world, they are generally considered an invasive species in parts of ...
: * Kalmakhi Tarkhunit (): Fried
trout Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', '' Salmo'' and '' Salvelinus'', all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word ''trout'' is also used as part of the name of some non-salm ...
with tarragon. * Kalmakhis Kubdari (): Kubdari filled with minced
trout Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', '' Salmo'' and '' Salvelinus'', all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word ''trout'' is also used as part of the name of some non-salm ...
, onions, coriander and ajika. * Kapchoni Mchkudi (): Cornbread made with anchovy, which is made in
Adjara Adjara ( ka, აჭარა ''Ach’ara'' ) or Achara, officially known as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara ( ka, აჭარის ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა ''Ach’aris Avt’onomiuri Resp’ublik’a'' ...
by the
Lazs The Laz people, or Lazi ( lzz, ლაზი ''Lazi''; ka, ლაზი, ''lazi''; or ჭანი, ''ch'ani''; tr, Laz), are an indigenous ethnic group who mainly live in Black Sea coastal regions of Turkey and Georgia. They traditionally spea ...
. * Kepali (): Fried
flathead mullet The flathead grey mullet (''Mugil cephalus'') is an important food fish species in the mullet family Mugilidae. It is found in coastal tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Its length is typically . It is known with numerous English names, ...
. * Kibo Kindzit ():
Lobster Lobsters are a family (Nephropidae, synonym Homaridae) of marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. Three of their five pairs of legs have claws, including the first pair, ...
cooked with coriander. * Kibo Mokharshuli (): Boiled
lobster Lobsters are a family (Nephropidae, synonym Homaridae) of marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. Three of their five pairs of legs have claws, including the first pair, ...
. * Kibo Tetri Ghvinit ():
Lobster Lobsters are a family (Nephropidae, synonym Homaridae) of marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. Three of their five pairs of legs have claws, including the first pair, ...
cooked in white wine. * Kobri Nigvzit da Brotseulit (): Fried
carp Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. While carp is consumed in many parts of the world, they are generally considered an invasive species in parts of ...
with walnuts and pomegranates seeds. * Loko Kindzmarshi (): Boiled
catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, ...
with coriander and vinegar. * Loko Tsiteli Ghvinit (): Boiled
catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, ...
in red wine. * Tsotskhali (): Boiled or fried local fish. * Tsvera Nigvzit da Brotseulit (): Fried common barbel with walnuts and pomegranates seeds. * Zutkhi Kaklis Potolshi ():
sturgeon Sturgeon is the common name for the 27 species of fish belonging to the family Acipenseridae. The earliest sturgeon fossils date to the Late Cretaceous, and are descended from other, earlier acipenseriform fish, which date back to the Early ...
cooked in a walnut leaf.


Meat

The most popular Georgian meat dishes include: * Abkhazura (): Fried meat, often offal, rolled in caul fat from
Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
. * Apokhti (): Dried / Smoked meat (). * Batis Shechamandi (): Meskhetian soup made of goose meat. * Bozbashi: Soup of lamb meat with peas, chestnuts and tomatoes. *
Chanakhi Chanakhi ( ka, ჩანახი) is a traditional GeorgianDarra Goldstein, ''The Georgian Feast: The Vibrant Culture and Savory Food of Georgia,'' p. 86V.V. Pokhlebkin, ''National Cuisines of the Peoples of the Soviet Union''Chanakhi, Tsentrp ...
(): Soup made of tomatoes and lamb. * Chakhokhbili (): Soup made of tomatoes and poultry meat (). * Chakapuli (): Stew made of cherry plums, tarragon and meat () from
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. * Chashushuli (): Spicy beef stew with tomato base * Chikhirtma (): Soup made of chicken and eggs from
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. *
Gupta Gupta () is a common surname or last name of Indian origin. It is based on the Sanskrit word गोप्तृ ''goptṛ'', which means 'guardian' or 'protector'. According to historian R. C. Majumdar, the surname ''Gupta'' was adopted by sev ...
: Georgian version of
Kefta Kofta is a family of meatball or meatloaf dishes found in Balkan, Middle Eastern, South Caucasian, South Asian and Central Asian cuisines. In the simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced meatusually beef, chicken, pork, lamb or mutto ...
meatballs. * Kharcho (): Soup made of beef, tomatoes, herbs and walnuts. * Khash (): Boiled parts of cow or sheep in its juice. * Khashlama (): Boiled meat. * Khinkali (): Dumplings filled with beef, pork or lamb meat () herbs from Eastern Georgia. * Kubdari (): Khachapuri filled with meat from
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
. * Kuchmachi (): Fried chicken livers with walnuts and pomegranate seeds. * Kupati () : Fried sausage made of pork. * Lori (): Smoked pork from
Racha Racha (also Račha, , ''Račʼa'') is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains. Under Georgia's current subdivision, Racha is included in the Racha-Lechkhumi an ...
. * Kababi (): Meat cooked on fire, with pomegranate seeds. *
Mtsvadi Shashlik, or shashlick (russian: шашлык ''shashlyk''), is a dish of skewered and grilled cubes of meat, similar to or synonymous with shish kebab. It is known traditionally by various other names in Iran, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and C ...
(): Meat cooked on fire. * Muzhuzhi (): A kind of jelly filled with meat and vegetables (). * Qaghi (): Smoked meat. * Qaurma (): A kind of soup with chopped meat. *
Satsivi Satsivi ( ka, საცივი, ''sac'ivi'', ; also known as chicken in walnut sauce) is a Georgian dish made from poultry such as turkey or chicken put into walnut sauce. The term ''satsivi'' is also used as a generic name for a variety of p ...
(): Poultry meat in a walnut sauce called bazhe which originated in Western Georgia. * Shilaplavi ():
Pilaf Pilaf ( US spelling) or pilau ( UK spelling) is a rice dish, or in some regions, a wheat dish, whose recipe usually involves cooking in stock or broth, adding spices, and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat, and employing some techn ...
made of lamb, spices, and vegetables. * Chkmeruli (): Chicken in a cream-based sauce. * Tabaka (): Roasted chicken with Adjika. * Tolma (): Georgian version of
Dolma Dolma (Turkish for “stuffed”) is a family of stuffed dishes associated with Ottoman cuisine, and common in modern national cuisines of regions and countries that once were part of the Ottoman Empire. Some types of dolma are made with who ...
. The filling is mostly meat and rolled in cabbage or grape leaf. * Ziskhora ():
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
an boiled
blood sausage A blood sausage is a sausage filled with blood that is cooked or dried and mixed with a filler until it is thick enough to solidify when cooled. Most commonly, the blood of pigs, sheep, lamb, cow, chicken, or goose is used. In Europe and the ...


Sauces and spices

Sauces and spices common in Georgian cuisine include: * Adjika (): Spicy paste or sauce seasoned with hot
chili pepper Chili peppers (also chile, chile pepper, chilli pepper, or chilli), from Nahuatl '' chīlli'' (), are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus ''Capsicum'', which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for ...
s. * Khmeli-suneli (): Powdered herb/spice mixture. * Blue fenugreek (): Milder than regular fenugreek. * Bazhe (): Walnut sauce. * Svanuri marili (): Salt from
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
mixed with spices. * Tkemali (): Cherry plum sauce.


Vegetarian dishes

* Ajapsandali (): Dish made of vegetables such as eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions and herbs. * Badrijnis borani (): Chopped and fried eggplant with spices. * Badrijnis khizilala ( - "eggplant caviar")'':'' Chopped eggplant with pomegranate seeds and herbs. * Badrijani mtsvanilit (): Fried eggplant with fresh herbs (coriander, parsley and basil). * Ekala nigvzit ()'':''
Smilax ''Smilax'' is a genus of about 300–350 species, found in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. In China for example about 80 are found (39 of which are endemic), while there are 20 in North America north of Mexico. They are climbing flowering ...
with walnuts. * Gogris gupta (): Squash balls (vegetarian
kefta Kofta is a family of meatball or meatloaf dishes found in Balkan, Middle Eastern, South Caucasian, South Asian and Central Asian cuisines. In the simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced meatusually beef, chicken, pork, lamb or mutto ...
). * Lobiani (): Khachapuri filled with kidney beans. * Lobio (): Mashed kidney beans with spices. * Lobio nigvzit (): Kidney beans with walnuts. *
Pkhali Pkhali ( ka, ფხალი) is a traditional Georgian dish of chopped and minced vegetables, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, beans, beets and combined with ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pkhali is also called mkhali.Dar ...
(): Minced vegetables with pomegranates. *Qnashi (): Boiled minced
pumpkin A pumpkin is a vernacular term for mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus ''Cucurbita'' that has culinary and cultural significance but no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning. The term ''pumpkin'' is sometimes use ...
seeds which are later spiced and formed into a circle. * Shechamandi (): Soup, mostly made in Kartli of spinach, malva, garlic, dogwood, grains, sorrel, pink peavine, and other plant ingredients.


Desserts

* Akuakuar (Аквакуар): Honey biscuits made in Abkhazia * Alaharuy or Alaharya ( / Алаҳария): Roll-ups traditionally made in
Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
from figs. * Alvakhazi (): Sweets of different shapes, made from honey and almonds in the region of
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. * Chiri (): Dried fruits mostly apricots, grapes, plums and figs. *
Churchkhela Churchkhela ( ka, ჩურჩხელა, ) is a traditional Georgian cuisine candle-shaped candy. The main ingredients of Churchkhela are grape must, nuts, and flour. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and chocolate and sometimes raisins are ...
(): Candy made of grape juice mixed with flour and walnuts. It originated in
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
. * Janjukha (): Same as Churchkhela but instead of walnuts, chopped hazelnuts are used. It is made in Guria. *
Gozinaki Gozinaki or Gozinaqi ( ka, გოზინაყი ) is a traditional Georgian confection made of caramelized nuts, usually walnuts, fried in honey, and served exclusively on New Year's Eve and Christmas. In the western Georgian provinces of I ...
(): Candy made mostly for
New Year New Year is the time or day currently at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar's year count increments by one. Many cultures celebrate the event in some manner. In the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar system ...
. It is made from chopped walnuts and honey. * Meskhuri Qada (): A sort of bread filled with a mixture of lard and flour, traditionally made in Meskheti. * Muraba (): Sort of jam made mostly from fruits such as walnut, watermelon, quince, fig, berries and from flowers (especially wild rose). * Nazuki (): Sweet bread with cinnamon, lemon curds and raisins. It is made mostly in Shida Kartli, especially in Surami. *Pachkhi ():
Svaneti Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources; ka, სვანეთი ) is a historic province in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians. Geography Situated on the southern slop ...
an dessert made from a dried pear powder that is later mixed with water. *Palustaki (): Dessert made from the combination of wheat flour, honey, erbo, similar to
Halva Halva (also halvah, halwa, and other spellings, Persian : حلوا) is a type of confectionery originating from Persia and widely spread throughout the Middle East. The name is used for a broad variety of recipes, generally a thick paste made f ...
. * Pelamushi (): Dessert made of grape juice and flour, similar to a sweet porridge. * Pakhlava (): Adjarian version of the Turkish dessert
Baklava Baklava (, or ; ota, باقلوا ) is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. It was one of the most popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine. The pre- Ottoman origin of t ...
. * Shaqarlama (): Biscuits made from sugar and honey. It is made in
Adjara Adjara ( ka, აჭარა ''Ach’ara'' ) or Achara, officially known as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara ( ka, აჭარის ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა ''Ach’aris Avt’onomiuri Resp’ublik’a'' ...
. * Taplis Kveri (): Candy made from honey. * Tklapi (): Roll-ups made from fruits such as grapes, apricots, cherry plums, and figs.


Wine

Georgia is the oldest
wine-producing region This list of wine-producing regions catalogues significant growing regions where vineyards are planted. Wine grapes mostly grow between the 30th and the 50th degree of latitude, in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Grapes will sometimes ...
in the world. The fertile valleys and protective slopes of the
Transcaucasia The South Caucasus, also known as Transcaucasia or the Transcaucasus, is a geographical region on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, straddling the southern Caucasus Mountains. The South Caucasus roughly corresponds to modern Arme ...
were home to grapevine cultivation and
neolithic The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is an Old World archaeological period and the final division of the Stone Age. It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wide-ranging set of developments that appear to have arisen independently in several pa ...
wine production ( ka, ღვინო, ''ɣvino'') for at least 8000 years. 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. Among the best-known Georgian wine regions are
Kakheti Kakheti ( ka, კახეთი ''K’akheti''; ) is a region ( mkhare) formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises ...
(further divided into the micro-regions of Telavi and
Kvareli Kvareli (, ) is a town in northeastern in Kakheti Province, Georgia. Located in the Alazani Valley, near the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, it was the birthplace of Georgian author Ilia Chavchavadze, whose one-storied house is pre ...
),
Kartli Kartli ( ka, ქართლი ) is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari (Kura), on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial rol ...
,
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti,
Adjara Adjara ( ka, აჭარა ''Ach’ara'' ) or Achara, officially known as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara ( ka, აჭარის ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა ''Ach’aris Avt’onomiuri Resp’ublik’a'' ...
and
Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...
.
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international coope ...
added the ancient traditional Georgian winemaking method using the Kvevri clay jars to the
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.Compare: This list is published by the Intergover ...
. Alcoholic drinks from Georgia include chacha and
wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented grapes. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different ...
(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 Rkatsiteli (; Georgian რქაწითელი ''rkats’iteli''; literally "red stem" or "red horned") is a kind of grape used to produce white wine. History This ancient vinifera originates in Georgia and is supposed to be one of the o ...
. 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 Beer is one of the oldest and the most widely consumed type of alcoholic drink in the world, and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of starches, mainly derived from ce ...
brands, including Natakhtari, Kazbegi, Argo, Kasri, and Karva. Lagidze water is a Georgian flavored soda drink, made with a variety of natural
syrup In cooking, a syrup (less commonly sirup; from ar, شراب; , beverage, wine and la, sirupus) is a condiment that is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars ...
s, sold bottled or mixed directly in a glass from a
soda fountain A soda fountain is a device that dispenses carbonated soft drinks, called fountain drinks. They can be found in restaurants, concession stands and other locations such as convenience stores. The device combines flavored syrup or syrup concentra ...
. Common types of mineral water from Georgia include
Borjomi Borjomi ( ka, ბორჯომი) is a resort town in south-central Georgia, 160 km from Tbilisi, with a population of 11,122 (2021). It is one of the municipalities of the Samtskhe–Javakheti region and is situated in the northwestern ...
, Nabeghlavi,
Likani Likani ( ka, ლიკანი) is a townlet in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region, located at the west end of the town of Borjomi in the Borjomi Municipality, some 160 km west of Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. Likani is adjacent to the Borjom ...
, and Sairme.


See also

* Caucasian cuisine *
Ossetian cuisine Ossetian cuisine ( os, Ирон хæринæгтæ ''Iron khɐrinɐgtɐ'') refers to the cooking styles and dishes of the Ossetians. Ossetian pie Fydzhin ( os, Фыдджын, russian: Фыдджин) is a type of meat pie. Three pies ( os, ...
*