Explore Georgian Cuisine and Culture at NetCost Market
Introducing You to Georgian Cuisine and Culture at NetCost Market
Georgia is a small country situated on the eastern shores of the Black Sea that borders Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. Its location made it a key stopping point for tradespeople on their way to Europe from the far east while traveling the silk road, earning it a reputation as a melting pot of different cultures and most significantly, cuisines! While Georgian food isn’t usually the first that pops into people’s minds when they think of high-end eating, it’s certainly growing as a favorite among foodies. For this reason, we thought we’d give you the low-down on Georgian cuisine and eating culture in the run-up to our Georgian Weeks as part of our #WorldofFood right here at NetCost Market.
Classic Georgian Favorites
Khachapuri
If you haven’t heard of Khachapuri, then you must be living under a rock! This amazingly indulgent snack has been hidden away in Georgia for centuries, but recently, it’s made its way around the world as somewhat of a food revelation. It consists of melted cheese, eggs, and butter, all placed on top of a stone-baked flatbread. This simple yet tasty snack has almost singlehandedly brought Georgian cuisine to international attention.
Ostri
Ostri is a hearty Georgian stew made with beef and tomatoes. It’s cooked down until the beef is very tender and soft. While Georgia can be very warm in the summer, it gets well below freezing in some regions in the winter, making this winter warmer a real favorite.
Khinkali
Khinkali are Georgian dumplings, usually filled with meat and spices and then steamed, boiled, or fried. Their origins lie in Chinese dumplings that were brought along the silk road by traders traveling westward that were then taken on as a Georgian favorite.
Chikhirtma
Georgia’s famous national soup, Chikhirtma, is known for being a hangover cure. It consists of chicken, onions, eggs, flour, vinegar, water, and is then seasoned with salt, bay leaves, and coriander. There is little evidence that it really does have magical powers to cure hangovers, but it’s certainly one of the tastiest soups out there and is well worth a try!
Satsivi
Heavily influenced by the spices of the Indian subcontinent, this thick walnut paste is usually served with meat, vegetables, fish, or eggs. It contains walnuts, garlic, coriander, cinnamon, vinegar, and hot peppers, making it an intensely rich and warming sauce for any occasion.
The outlook for Georgian cuisine on the international stage
Georgian food has what it takes to become recognized as one of the greatest regional specialties in the world. The mixture of indulgent, rich, and fresh flavors that are offered by the different dishes found throughout the country make it as diverse and satisfying as any other regional cuisine, and it’s only a matter of time before it makes a name for itself in restaurants, grocery stores, and kitchens all around the world.
If you’re already a fan of Georgian food or are now curious to try something new, there’s no better time to explore the amazing cuisine that this charming country has to offer. Head down to NetCost Market for our Georgian Weeks offers as part of our #WorldofFood to uncover one of the best-kept secrets in culinary delights from the small yet remarkable country of Georgia!