Cultural discovery through Khinkali

Khinkali opened a door into a cuisine I'd previously known almost nothing about. The complex and distinctive flavours are unlike anything in my usual rotation and I mean that positively. Georgia claims one of the world's oldest continuous wine-making traditions dating back 8000 years. Understanding that context made the dish taste different — richer with meaning.

I learned that walnut paste is central to this cuisine's character, not just a seasoning. The a wine cellar dinner setting was authentic and helpful for understanding what I was eating. Borjomi mineral water completed the picture. A genuinely educational meal.