Forgive me father, for I have sinned. Last week I let my friend leave Georgia having had a semi-frozen Bakuriani roadside smog-infused, plumb-colored piece of walnut-filled rubber as her only taste of Churchkhela.

If you weren’t already aware, Churchkhela, together with Khinkali and Khachapuri, is probably the most iconic product of the Georgian kitchen. It’s no exaggeration to claim that you’ll see them being sold on every street corner and roadside bodega across the country. Indeed, it is the ultimate snack. Originally made from grape must, flour and walnuts (now bastardized with an assortment of nuts and eccentric food coloring and flavors), soldiers took it into battle with them due to its source of energy and protein. Today, it remains a favorite snack of many, as well as an energy bar for athletes, with the wholly organic ones ensuring a healthy source of natural sugar.

While the babushkas of Kakheti (the region of Georgia where Churchkhela originates from), remain the undisputed masters of the craft, you have a moral obligation to find the really good stuff in Tbilisi to be entitled to say that you’ve actually tried Churchkela. To that end, look no further than Badagi. Their 100% natural original walnut-filled delights will change your life, introducing you to a world of flavor that shouldn’t have the right to exist because it tastes so damn good. Their Churchkhelas are, like heroin, dangerously addictive ! Earlier today, as I was heading to their shop for the third time in three days, I found a shortcut which now puts them just 75m as the crow flies from my flat. Alas, I console myself with the knowledge that a 24/7 gym is but 200m further down the road; the trick is now to make sure that a visit to one means a visit to both.

Of course, Badagi’s treasures are more than just their divine Churchkhelas. If you need a break, or are simply not in the mood, then you still have a wide selection of artisan Georgian wines, brandy, Chacha, jams, and honey, amongst others, to whet your appetite with. Paying them a visit at one of their many outlets is a must.

By Máté Földi 

ADDRESS:

2 Miminoshvili Str., Tbilisi

18 Adam Mitskevichi Str., Tbilisi

37 Ilia Chavchavadze Ave. (Carrefour Vake), Tbilisi

1.6km David Aghmashenebeli Alley 1.6 km, Tbilisi

Tbilisi International Airport

25 Pekini Str.,  Tbilisi

52, Aleksandre Tvaltchrelidze Str. (Carrefour East Point), Tbilisi

16km, David Aghmashenebeli Alley (Tbilisi Mall Carrefour), Tbilisi

22 Marshal Gelovani Avenue (AGRO-HUB), Tbilisi

3 Vekua Street (City Mall Saburtalo- Carrefour), Tbilisi

22 Tbel Abuselidze Street (Carrefour), Batumi

TEL: (+995) 597 11 10 22 

Web: www.badagi.ge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badagi.ge/