Sulguni is a cylindrical Georgian cheese originating from the region of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). The cheese has a mild, yet complex flavor and a semi-firm texture. It can be produced from the milk of cows, buffalos, and goats (rarely), or a combination of the three.
The flavors range from acidic, tangy, and sour to salty and smoky, depending on the varieties – fresh, smoked, or semi-hard. The cheese melts easily so it is often used as a pizza topping, but it can also be added to various salads or pasta dishes.
VARIATIONS OF Sulguni
Tenili is a unique Georgian cheese made in the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli. It can be produced from cow's or sheep's milk, but the most important thing is that the milk should have a high percentage of fat. The cheese is pressed and the warm curds are repeatedly hand-pulled into thin strands, giving it a unique shape and visual appearance.
Since the process is a laborious one, tenili is typically prepared for big celebrations and feasts.
Originating from Samegrelo, Smoked Sulguni or Shebolili Megruli Sulguni is a Georgian cheese made from the milk of cows, buffalos, and goats (rarely), or a combination of the three. This semi-hard cheese has a dense, springy, and elastic texture underneath its natural rind.
Due to the fact that the cheese is smoked, its aroma is smoky, while the flavors are both smoky and salty. The paste is yellow in color, while the crust is hard and golden brown or dark brown due to the smoking process. Smoked Sulguni melts exceptionally well, and it's recommended to serve it with ghomi, a local porridge that's a staple in Samegrelo.
Imeruli is a traditional Georgian cheese originating from the region of Imereti. This fresh curd cheese is made from cow's milk, and although it originated in Imereti, nowadays it can be found throughout the country. The cheese is brined and it's white in color.
If properly prepared, it will develop porous bubbles throughout the body. When fresh and unsalted, the cheese has a chewy and stringy texture, and it's usually served with salads or light summer meals. When aged, the texture becomes slightly grainy and the flavor becomes sour.
Narchvi is a traditional Georgian cheese hailing from the Svaneti region. It's made from cow's milk. The cheese is placed in a small wooden tower and it's then pressed with stones for more than 3 months (and up to a year). Narchvi has a soft and buttery texture, while the flavors are surprisingly strong, ranging from sweet to sharp and nutty.
Dambalkhacho is a Georgian dry moldy cheese hailing from the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. It's produced from buttermilk cottage cheese that remains after churning the butter. Salt is kneaded into the lumps of cottage cheese, and it's then dried on a webbed grate (dzobani) that's hung over a flame.
The dried lumps are placed into clay pots and left that way for 2-3 months, in order for the cheese to develop special mold. The cheese has a specific, intense aroma, the texture is semi-soft and uniform, while the flavors are spicy.
Pair with
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