Cheese Regions In Georgia: Where To Find The Best?

what region is cheese made in georgia

Georgia is considered one of the birthplaces of cheese-making, with over 250 varieties of cheese produced in the country. The mountainous regions of Georgia are particularly known for their cheese, with the harsher climate and alpine pastures of these regions contributing to the distinctive flavour profiles of the cheeses.

Characteristics Values
Number of varieties Over 250
Region Mountainous regions, particularly Tusheti, Pshavi, and Samegrelo
Milk used Sheep, cow, or buttermilk
Aging process Several months to over a year
Texture Firm, hard, crumbly
Taste Rich, robust, distinctive

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Sulguni cheese is made in the Samegrelo region and is sometimes smoked

Georgia is considered one of the birthplaces of cheese-making, with evidence of cheese production in the region dating back to the 6th millennium BCE. Over 250 varieties of cheese are produced in Georgia, including Sulguni, a cheese from the Samegrelo region that is sometimes smoked.

Sulguni is a popular cheese in Georgia and is often enjoyed as part of a cheese board or used as an ingredient in cooking. It has a distinctive flavour and texture, which is influenced by the region's environmental conditions, including the flora and fauna.

The Samegrelo region is known for its cheese-making traditions, and Sulguni is one of the most famous cheeses produced there. The cheese is made from a combination of sheep's and cow's milk, with the milk first being curdled and then pressed and shaped into small, round forms. These are then aged, contributing to the cheese's firm texture and rich flavour.

In addition to Sulguni, there are several other varieties of cheese made in the Samegrelo region, each with its own unique characteristics. The region's climate and pastures also play a role in shaping the flavour profile of the cheese produced there.

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Tenili cheese is a variety of string cheese from the Meskheti region of southern Georgia

Georgia is considered one of the birthplaces of cheese-making, with evidence of cheese production in the region dating back to at least the 6th millennium BCE. Today, over 250 varieties of cheese are produced in Georgia, with many specific to particular regions.

One such variety is Tenili cheese, a type of string cheese from the Meskheti region of southern Georgia. In 2013, it was added to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia. Tenili cheese is made from sheep's milk, although some variations may include a mix of sheep and cow milk. The process starts with curdling the milk, followed by pressing and shaping the curds into small, round forms. These are then aged in sheepskin bags, which gives the cheese its distinctive taste and texture. This aging process can last several months, resulting in a firm texture and rich flavour.

Other Georgian cheeses include Kalti, which is commonly found in the mountainous regions of the country. The environmental conditions of these areas, including the flora and fauna, significantly influence the distinct character of Kalti. Like Tenili, Kalti is made primarily from sheep's milk, although cow's milk may also be used. However, Kalti undergoes a longer aging period compared to other Georgian cheeses, resulting in a harder texture and more concentrated flavour.

Dambal’khacho is another variety of Georgian cheese, originating from the mountainous Tusheti region in northeastern Georgia. This cheese is traditionally made from buttermilk, a byproduct of butter-making. The curds are fermented and then aged in clay pots for several months to over a year, during which time the cheese develops a crust on the surface while the interior remains crumbly and rich in flavour.

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Guda cheese is made in the mountainous regions of Tusheti and Pshavi

Georgia is considered one of the birthplaces of cheese-making, with over 250 varieties of cheese produced in the country. Guda cheese is made in the mountainous regions of Tusheti and Pshavi. The harsher climate and alpine pastures of these regions contribute to the robust flavour of Guda cheese. The process of making Guda cheese starts with curdling sheep's milk, or a mix of sheep and cow milk. The curds are then pressed and shaped into small, round forms. These are then aged in sheepskin bags, which give the cheese its distinctive taste and texture. This aging process can last several months, during which the cheese develops a firm texture and rich flavour.

Kalti is another cheese made in the mountainous regions of Georgia. The environmental conditions of these areas, including the flora and fauna, influence the distinct character of Kalti. Kalti is made primarily from sheep's milk, although cow's milk may also be used. The production process involves a longer aging period compared to other Georgian cheeses, resulting in a harder texture and more concentrated flavour. Kalti is often savoured on its own or grated over dishes to add a punch of flavour.

Dambal’khacho is a cheese that originates from the mountainous Tusheti region in northeastern Georgia. This cheese is made from buttermilk, a byproduct of butter making. The curds are fermented and then aged in clay pots for several months to over a year. During aging, the cheese develops a crust on the surface, while the interior remains crumbly and rich in flavour. Dambal’khacho is often enjoyed as part of a cheese board or used as an ingredient in cooking.

Sulguni, a smoked cheese from the Samegrelo region, and Tenili, a variety of string cheese from the Meskheti region of southern Georgia, are other examples of cheeses made in specific regions of Georgia.

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Kalti cheese is made in the highlands of Georgia

Kalti cheese is made primarily from sheep's milk, although cow's milk may also be used. The production process involves a longer ageing period compared to other Georgian cheeses, contributing to its harder texture and more concentrated flavour. The cheese is often kept in special maturation chambers where it develops its characteristic hard rind and dense interior. In Georgian cuisine, Kalti is often savoured on its own or used grated over dishes to add a punch of flavour.

Kalti is not the only cheese made in Georgia's highlands. Guda, for example, is made in the mountainous regions of Tusheti and Pshavi. The harsher climate and alpine pastures of these regions contribute to Guda's robust flavour profile. Dambal’khacho also originates from the mountainous Tusheti region in northeastern Georgia. This cheese is made from buttermilk, a byproduct of butter-making. The curds are fermented and then aged in clay pots for several months to over a year, during which time the cheese develops a crust on the surface while the interior remains crumbly and rich in flavour.

Georgia produces over 250 varieties of cheese, including Sulguni from the Samegrelo region and Tenili, a variety of string cheese from the Meskheti region of southern Georgia.

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Dambal’khacho cheese is made in the mountainous region of Tusheti in northeastern Georgia

Georgia is considered one of the birthplaces of cheesemaking, with evidence suggesting that cheese production in the region dates back to at least the 6th millennium BCE. The country is home to over 250 varieties of cheese, many of which are specific to the mountainous regions of Georgia, including Tusheti, Pshavi, and Meskheti.

Dambalkhacho cheese is made in the mountainous region of Tusheti in northeastern Georgia. This cheese is deeply rooted in the highland cheese-making traditions of this remote area. Dambalkhacho is traditionally made from buttermilk, a byproduct of butter-making. The curds are fermented and then aged in clay pots for several months to over a year. During this time, a crust forms on the surface of the cheese, while the interior remains crumbly and rich in flavour.

The environmental conditions of the Tusheti region, including its harsher climate and alpine pastures, significantly influence the distinct character of Dambalkhacho cheese. The lengthy aging process contributes to its harder texture and more concentrated flavour. Dambalkhacho is often enjoyed as part of a cheese board or used as an ingredient in cooking, where its robust flavour can enhance the taste of various dishes.

Like other Georgian cheeses, the production of Dambalkhacho involves a longer aging period compared to other cheeses. This contributes to its harder texture and more concentrated flavour. The cheese is often kept in special maturation chambers, similar to the traditional method of aging in sheepskin bags, which allows it to develop its characteristic hard rind and dense interior.

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Frequently asked questions

Kalti, Guda, Sulguni, Tenili, and Dambal’khacho are all cheeses made in Georgia.

Cheese is made in the mountainous regions of Georgia, particularly the areas of Tusheti and Pshavi.

The process starts with curdling the milk, followed by pressing and shaping the curds into small, round forms. These are then aged in sheepskin bags, clay pots, or maturation chambers, which contribute to the cheese's distinctive taste and texture.

Archaeological evidence suggests that cheese production in the Caucasus region, including modern-day Georgia, dates back to at least the 6th millennium BCE.

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