Georgian cuisine: main dishes and tips on what to try

Georgian cuisine, known for its simplicity and natural flavors, reflects the rich cultural heritage of Georgia. In this article, we will explore the main dishes of this unique cuisine, offering tips on what you should definitely try. From khachapuri to aromatic soups and traditional desserts. Each dish tells its own story and invites you to immerse yourself in the true Georgian atmosphere.

Georgian Cuisine Dishes

Georgian cuisine is a true culinary art where food reflects the history of Georgia. Let's talk about the most famous ones:

1. Khachapuri: A traditional bakery product consisting of flatbread filled with cheese. It can have various shapes and sizes depending on the region of Georgia where it is prepared. Sulguni or Imeretian cheese is often used as a filling. Khachapuri is often served as an appetizer or main course and is one of the most recognizable favorites.
   
2. Mtsvadi: This is a skewered and grilled dish made from marinated meat, usually pork, lamb, or beef. The meat is cut into pieces, marinated in a mixture of spices, vinegar, and onions, then skewered and grilled over an open flame. This cooking method gives mtsvadi a special flavor and aroma, making it a popular dish in Georgia for both holidays and everyday life.
   
3. Pkhalis: This is a cold appetizer made from minced vegetables, most commonly spinach, beets, or green beans, mixed with a walnut sauce, garlic, vinegar, and various spices. It boasts a bright flavor palette and is often served with flatbread or as part of a mezze. Pkhalis can vary depending on the vegetables used, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegetable lovers.
   

And this is just the tip of the iceberg—Georgian cuisine has something to offer for vegetable lovers, meat enthusiasts, those who enjoy spicy or sour flavors. The key is to find a worthy Georgian restaurant that respects the traditions of preparing all these magnificent dishes.

Features of Georgian Cuisine

The main ingredients here are fresh vegetables, meat, especially lamb and beef, as well as unique spice combinations such as coriander, garlic, basil, and fennel. These spices give the food its unique taste and aroma.

This cuisine is known for its bakery products, especially khachapuri, which is a cheese-filled pie with many variations depending on the region.

Another notable feature of the cuisine is the extensive use of fermented dairy products and cheeses. Wine also plays an important role, with ancient winemaking traditions where wine is aged in clay vessels called qvevri.

Soups deserve a special mention. For example, kharcho is a rice dish in meat broth (usually beef), with the addition of walnuts. The soup has a slightly sour taste, which is enhanced by a special sauce made from tkemali or plum tomatoes. Or Shechamandy, a soup based on Matsoni (a sour milk product made from boiled milk). The soup also includes flour, egg yolks, plenty of dill, cilantro, and a little mint.

It's important to remember that this cuisine is known for its variety of unique flavors, so it's worth trying different dishes— who knows which one will become your new favorite?

What to Avoid If You've Never Tried Georgian Cuisine Before

If you've never tried Georgian cuisine before, it's worth being cautious and following some advice:

• Avoid too spicy dishes. Georgian cuisine is indeed known for its spicy spices and sauces. If you don't like spicy food, it's better to start with less spicy options or ask to limit the amount of spiciness.
• Be cautious with allergies. Various ingredients are abundantly used, including nuts, milk, eggs, and wheat. If you have food allergies, check the composition. Make sure they do not contain components that may cause an allergic reaction.
• For vegetarians. Despite Georgian cuisine being predominantly meat-based, it still offers some wonderful options for those who do not consume meat. You can try lobio (beans with nuts and spices), nadugi (eggplant with nuts), or a soup with cauliflower called chakapuli.

It's important to remember that this cuisine is known for its variety and unique flavors, so it's worth trying different dishes— who knows which one will become your new favorite?

Is Georgian Cuisine Low-Calorie?

Georgian cuisine cannot be considered low-calorie. It is renowned for its variety of meat dishes, rich sauces, and traditional bakery products, which tend to be high in calories. However, for those who want to enjoy Georgian cuisine while watching their calories, there are certain options:

1. Salads. You can find a variety of vegetable salads, such as tomato, cucumber, onion, and greens salad. These salads can be lower in calories and are suitable for those watching their weight.
2. Georgian soups. For example, Chikhirtma soup, which is made with chicken breast and vegetables, or chakapuli soup with cauliflower, can also be lower-calorie options.
3. Vegetable side dishes. As an alternative to potato or bread side dishes, you can opt for side dishes made from mushrooms, eggplants, or zucchinis, which can be more diet-friendly.
4. Vegetables. In general, any vegetables in any form are quite low in calories, so where appropriate, you can substitute any side dishes and other elements with vegetables.

It's important to remember that Georgian cuisine contains oil, meat, and spices, which give it richness and flavor but also increase its calorie content.

Thus, Georgian national cuisine is quite spicy, includes a large amount of meat and vegetables, and also involves unusual cooking methods. Most dishes are very spicy and aromatic due to the abundance of spices in almost every recipe. Also, it's quite difficult to call all this food low-calorie.