Churchkhela (; ) is a traditional Georgian candle-shaped brittle confection. The main ingredients of are grape must, nuts, and flour. The traditional technology of in the Kakheti region was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia list in 2015.
Preparation
Most commonly, walnuts or hazelnuts are threaded onto a string, dipped in thickened grape must, mulberry juice, or fruit juices and hung upside-down to dry in the shape of a candle. In eastern Georgia, production begins with a condensed juice called , made from must from local grapes in the areas of Kakheti, Kartli, or Meskheti thickened with wheat flour. Wheat flour is also used for making condensed mulberry juice in the area of Samtskhe-Javakheti. Corn flour is used in western Georgia (the areas of Racha, Lechkhumi, Guria, Samegrelo, Abkhazia, and Achara), and this condensed grape juice is called . In Abkhazia, a region in the North Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, it is known as ( or ) in the local Abkhaz language and is touted as the best souvenir for gifting.
Customs Churchkhela is a between-meal snack and is also served as a dessert during New Year and Christmas celebrations. Georgian soldiers carried with them because they contain many calories.
Illustration of the making process
See also Gozinaki Sharots Walnut Sujuk List of grape dishes References
External links