Asureti Food & Drink: Top 5 Must-Try Culinary Experiences

If you find yourself planning a trip to Georgia, specifically the Asureti area, you’re more or less in for a treat! The food scene is certainly one that seems to stay with you long after you’ve packed your bags and headed home. So, let’s talk about five must-try food and drink experiences you really shouldn’t miss.

1. Khinkali Feast: The Quintessential Georgian Dumpling

You see, Khinkali isn’t just food; too, it’s practically a national treasure! That said, these aren’t your everyday dumplings. Imagine, that is, plump, twisted knobs of dough, filled to bursting with a spiced mixture that typically contains meat (often beef and pork), herbs, and broth. So, the trick is to pick one up by its topknot (the gathered dough at the top), take a small bite, and slurp out the savory juices before devouring the rest. It’s a skill and an art, really! So, places that specialize in Khinkali usually offer a few fillings. Anyway, for the most authentic experience, be sure to order the traditional meat-filled kind. It tastes quite flavorful! Apparently, the broth inside is really what makes it. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Asureti Khinkali Feast)

2. Supra Experience: A Traditional Georgian Feast

Basically, a “Supra” is more or less a traditional Georgian feast that’s an experience in itself! So, think of it as a lavish banquet that sometimes lasts for hours. What happens is that tables are laden with a staggering assortment of dishes from grilled meats and vibrant salads to cheesy breads. Basically, the event is lead by a “Tamada” (toastmaster) who proposes toasts throughout the meal. And so, each toast is usually fairly elaborate, with themes ranging from love and friendship to the motherland and, sometimes, even personal stories. Too, participating in a Supra is that quintessential way to fully appreciate Georgian hospitality. It lets you sample a lot of different plates and wash it down with loads of local wine. Read our full review: Asureti Georgian Supra Full Review and Details

3. Wine Tasting: Exploring Georgia’s Ancient Winemaking Tradition

Is that Georgia’s known as the birthplace of wine, with a history of winemaking that traces back at least 8,000 years? The tradition of using “qvevri” (large clay vessels buried underground) to ferment and store wine gives Georgian wine a totally unique taste. You might like to try a wine tour near Asureti? That is where you’ll discover different types of Georgian wine, from the dry reds to the amber wines, which are made using the qvevri method. A wine tasting will apparently show you the flavors and stories behind each glass! So, don’t skip trying a glass of Saperavi; too, it’s a bold red that is one of Georgia’s trademark varieties. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Asureti Wine Tasting)

4. Churchkhela and Tklapi: Sweet Georgian Treats

Churchkhela and Tklapi aren’t just treats, in fact, they give a fun peek into Georgian snack culture. Churchkhela looks, arguably, like a candle, but it’s actually nuts (usually walnuts or hazelnuts) that have been threaded onto a string and dipped in thickened grape juice. Then, it’s left to dry, and so what you get is something chewy, sweet, and really full of nuts. Anyway, Tklapi, is like a fruit leather that’s usually made from pureed plums, apricots, or other fruit, which has then been spread thinly and sun-dried. Very often, you find them at markets; basically, they give a really healthy and tasty snack to enjoy as you travel! Read our full review: Asureti Churchkhela and Tklapi Full Review and Details

5. Local Bakeries: Taste Fresh Georgian Bread

Anyway, Georgian bread, or “puri,” is so essential to just about every meal. Actually, you simply must visit a local bakery. Now, these bakeries usually have a “tone,” that is a traditional oven where the bread’s baked! Shoti bread, for example, has that canoe shape and it sticks to the oven wall while baking, which gives it a very particular smoky flavor. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Asureti Georgian Bread) The bakeries will normally sell other treats; that’s everything from little cheese pies (“khachapuri”) to sweet pastries. Anyway, popping in somewhere like this will give you that very nice, warm, and really authentic sense of what it means to taste Georgia.