Coming to Georgia and not enjoying the local cuisine is a real crime. And I decided not to step on the path of crime and try, try, try. The most delicious Adjarian Khachapuri, or as they are often called “boats” by the people, I tried not in pretentious restaurants, but in small family cafes hidden in the alleys of ancient narrow streets. It is impossible to find them on your own and not see them when passing by, and in order to find guests on the street there are some kind of barker promoters who invite you to lunch or dinner. They also offer homemade compotes and lemonades for children, and for adults wines from the family cellar.
About the cult of wine in Georgia and its delicate taste, probably only the lazy did not tell. Wine tours, wine tastings, wine ice cream, wine churchkhela – wine is everywhere. The most popular souvenir from Georgia is a bottle of excellent Saperavi or Kindzmarauli. Where there is wine, there is cheese. Georgia has a huge variety of homemade cheeses. Paired with hot and crispy Shoti bread fresh out of the oven, Georgian cheese outshines even my favorite Georgian dish, Chakhokhbili.
Most Georgian dishes have such a pronounced taste due to the addition of a large amount of spices, walnuts, garlic and herbs, especially cilantro. Take the same famous appetizer Pkhali. This culinary masterpiece is based on any boiled and chopped vegetables, and sometimes beans, but a great taste is achieved through the obligatory components: garlic, crushed walnuts, finely chopped greens and spice utsho suneli. So simple, but so tasty and very healthy.
There are legends about Georgian health and longevity, and I believe that the local cuisine plays an important role in this. The abundance of fresh vegetables supplies the body with vitamins. Spices normalize blood sugar, promote digestion and provide antimicrobial support to the immune system. A large amount of greens consumed helps in the breakdown of fats and, in general, has a positive effect on the absorption of microelements. And wine, in addition to its antioxidant effect on the body as a whole, also has a vasodilating effect, which reduces the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
As for my top list of Georgian dishes, I definitely advise you to try chakhokhbili, satsivi, spinach pkhali, khinkali with cheese, and for dessert, take a walk in the Sulfur Baths area to taste delicious ice cream from Saperavi there.
