ABOUT GEORGIA - Georgian Cuisine

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

10 dishes you should try

Khachapuri, Khinkali, Mtsvadi, Churchkhela, Ajapsandali, Lobio, Tklapi, Kharcho, Pkhali, Lobiani

Georgian cuisine refers to the cooking styles and dishes that originate in the country of Georgia and which are historically prepared by Georgian people around the world.

The Georgian cuisine is unique to the country, but also carries some influences from other European and nearby Middle Eastern culinary traditions.

OTHER INFORMATIONS

Georgian cuisine refers to the cooking styles and dishes that originate in the country of Georgia and which are historically prepared by Georgian people around the world. The Georgian cuisine is unique to the country, but also carries some influences from other European and nearby Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Each historical province of Georgia has its own distinct culinary tradition, with variations such as Megrelian, Kakhetian, and Imeretian cuisines. Heavy on meat dishes, the Georgian cuisine also offers a variety of vegetarian dishes.

Georgian cuisine is the result of the rich interplay of culinary ideas carried along the trade routes by merchants and travelers alike. The importance of both food and drink to Georgian culture is best observed during a feast called supra, when a huge assortment of dishes are prepared, always accompanied by large amounts of wine, and that can last for hours. In a Georgian feast, the role of the tamada (toastmaster) is an important and honoured position.

Georgian restaurants were prevalent in Russia throughout the 20th century, assisted by the fact that Joseph Stalin was himself an ethnic Georgian and particularly fond of his native food and drink. In Russia, all major cities have many Georgian restaurants, and Russian restaurants often feature Georgian food items on their menu.

In countries of the former Soviet Union, Georgian food is also popular due to the immigration of Georgians to other Soviet republics.

Appetizers

Abkhazura
Ajapsandali
Badrijnis khizilala
Ispanakhi
Jonjoli
Khachapuri
Khizilala
Kuchmachi
Kupati
Lobiani
Lobio
Matsoni
Mchadi
Mujuji
Nadughi
Nigvziani badrijani
Pkhali
Satsivi
Soko
Tarti

Breads

Traditional Georgian breads are varied, and include Tonis Puri, Khacha Puri (cheese bread), Shotis Puri, Mesxuri Puri, and Mtchadi. Georgian breads are traditionally baked in a large, round, well-shaped oven called Tone.

Cheeses

Imeruli
Nadugi
Qarkhnuli
Sulguni
Tushuri (Guda)
Tenili
Lori
Dambali Khacho

Salads

Boloki tcharkhlit
Ispanakhi Matsvnit
Ispanakhis
Kartophilis
Katmis
Khakhvis
Khilis
Kiborchkhalis
Kitris
Kombosto vashlit
Kombostos
Kvertskhis
Lobios
Pkhali
Sagazapkhulo
Satatsuris
Sokos
Staphilos
Tarkhunis
Tcharkhali vashlit
Tcharkhlis
Tevzis

Soups and stews

Arjakelis
Balbis
Bostneulis
Chikhirtma
Domkhlis
Dos
Gholos
Gogris
Ispanakhis
Katmis
Kharcho
Lobios
Makhokhis
Matsvnis
Mukhudos
Nivris
Pomidvris
Puris Kharsho
Qvelis
Satatsuris
Shindis
Shorba
Sokos
Staphilos

Fish

Chakhokhbili Oraguli
Kalmakhi Tarkhunit
Kephali
Khizilala
Kibo Kindzit
Kibo Mokharshuli
Kibo Tetri Ghvinit
Kobri Nigvzit da Brotseulit
Loko Kindzmatshi
Loko Tsiteli Ghvinit
Oraguli Nigvzit
Shebolili Kephali
Shemtsvari Tarti
Sterlet
Tarti Tetri ghvinit
Tevzi Bazheshi
Tevzi Pamidvrit
Tsotskhali
Tsvera Nigvzit da Brotseulit
Zutkhi Kaklis photolshi
Zutkhi Shemtsvari
Zutkhis Mtsvadi

Meat

Abkhazura
Basturma
Betchi
Chakapuli
Chanakhi
Dzekhvi
Guphta
Jonjoli
Kababi
Khashi
Khashlama
Khinkali
Ku
Kutchmatchi
Lori
Mokharshuli ena
Mokharshuli Gotchi
Mtsvadi
Muzhuzhi
Plov
Qaurma
Shashlik
Shemtsvari Gotchi
Shilaplavi

Poultry

Bati Shavi kliavit
Chakhokhbili
Chicken tabaka
Chikhirtma
Chkhmeruli
Ikhvi Bostneulit
Ikhvis Chakhokhbili
Indauris garo
Katami Brinjit
Katami Gatenili Kuch-gvidzlit
Katami Nivrit
Katmis Mkhali
Kutchmatchi
Satsivi Kvertskhit
Shemtsvari Indauri
Tsitsila Abkhazurd
Tsitsila Shindit

Sauces and spices

Sauces and spices common in Georgian cuisine include:

Ajika - a spicy paste or sauce seasoned with hot chili peppers
Khmeli-suneli - a powdered herb/spice mixture
Satsivi - a type of walnut sauce
Tkemali - a type of plum sauce

Vegetarian dishes

Ajapsandali
Badrijani Brinjit
Badrijani Mtsvanilit
Badrijani Nigvzit
Badrijnis Borani
Badrijnis khizilala
Ekala Nigvzit
Gogris Guphta
Ispanakhi
Ispanakhi Kvertskhit
Kartopili Kvartskhit
Kartopili Nigvzit
Kombosto Nigvzit
Lobiani
Lobio Nigvzit
Mtsvane Lobio
Satatsuri Nigvzit
Sazapkhulo Tolma
Soko
Soko Naghebit
Tolma

Desserts

Alublis Ghvezeli
Alublis Muraba
Churchkhela
Gozinaki
Kada
Khilis Torti
Kishmishiani
Martqvis Torti
Muraba (kaklis muraba, komshis muraba, sazamtros muraba, vardis muraba, etc.)
Nazuki
Nigvziani
Nigvzis Torti
Pakhlava
Paska bobobo
Phelamushi
Phenovani
Ponçiki
Qaviani
Shakarlama Tkhilit
Shokoladiani
Taphlis kveri
Vashlis Namtskhvari

Beverages

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.

Lagidze water is a Georgian flavored soda drink, made with a variety of natural syrups, sold bottled or mixed directly in a glass from a soda fountain. Common types of mineral water from Georgia include Borjomi, Nabeghlavi, Likani, and Sairme.

GEORGIA


Flag	Coat of arms

Capital and largest city		Tbilisi
Official languages		Georgian
Spoken languages		71% Georgian 9% Russian 7% Armenian 6% Azerbaijani 7% other
Ethnic groups (2002)		83.8% Georgian 6.5% Azerbaijani 5.7% Armenian 1.5% Russian 2.5% others
Demonym		Georgian
Government		Unitary semi-presidential republic
Legislature		Parliament
Area		69,700 km² (120th) 26,911 sq mi
Population (2014)		4,935,880 (119th)
Currency		Lari (GEL)
Time zone		GET (UTC+4)
Drives on the		right
Calling code		+995
ISO 3166 code		GE
Internet TLD		.ge

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ABOUT GEORGIA - Georgian Cuisine