If you're a cheese lover, you'll be happy to know that Tbilisi has some of the best cheese shops in the world. From traditional Georgian cheeses to imported varieties, there's something for every taste. In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the best shops for cheese in Tbilisi.
The Cheese Market
The Cheese Market is a small shop located in the old town of Tbilisi. It's run by a family who have been in the cheese business for generations. The shop specializes in traditional Georgian cheeses, such as sulguni, smoked sulguni, and imeruli. They also offer a selection of imported cheeses from France, Italy, and Switzerland. The Cheese Market is a great place to try some of the best Georgian cheeses and learn about the cheese-making process.
One of the most popular Georgian cheeses is sulguni, which is a semi-soft cheese with a tangy flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often used in Georgian cuisine, such as in khachapuri, a traditional Georgian cheese bread. The Cheese Market offers several varieties of sulguni, including smoked sulguni, which has a smoky flavor and is great for grilling.
Another popular Georgian cheese is imeruli, which is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often used in Georgian cuisine, such as in khinkali, a traditional Georgian dumpling. The Cheese Market offers several varieties of imeruli, including aged imeruli, which has a sharper flavor and is great for grating.
Nikora
Nikora is a chain of supermarkets in Tbilisi that offers a wide variety of products, including cheese. They have a dedicated cheese section that features both Georgian and imported cheeses. Nikora is a great place to find high-quality cheeses at reasonable prices. They also offer cheese tastings, so you can try before you buy.
One of the most popular imported cheeses at Nikora is brie, which is a soft cheese with a mild flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often served as a dessert cheese. Nikora offers several varieties of brie, including triple cream brie, which has a higher fat content and is creamier than regular brie.
Another popular imported cheese at Nikora is parmesan, which is a hard cheese with a sharp flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often used in Italian cuisine, such as in pasta dishes. Nikora offers several varieties of parmesan, including aged parmesan, which has a sharper flavor and is great for grating.
Dezerter Bazaar
Dezerter Bazaar is a popular market in Tbilisi that sells everything from fresh produce to clothing. It's also a great place to find cheese. There are several cheese shops in the market that offer a variety of cheeses, including Georgian and imported varieties. The prices are reasonable, and the vendors are knowledgeable about their products.
One of the most unique cheeses at Dezerter Bazaar is guda, which is a smoked cheese with a tangy flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often served as a snack or appetizer. Guda is a traditional Georgian cheese that's been smoked over a fire, giving it a distinct smoky flavor.
Another unique cheese at Dezerter Bazaar is blue cheese, which is a soft cheese with a pungent flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often served as a dessert cheese. Blue cheese is an acquired taste, but if you're a fan, you'll love the selection at Dezerter Bazaar.
Gourmet House
Gourmet House is a specialty food store in Tbilisi that offers a wide variety of high-quality products, including cheese. They have a dedicated cheese section that features both Georgian and imported cheeses. The staff is knowledgeable and can help you find the perfect cheese for your needs. Gourmet House is a great place to find unique and hard-to-find cheeses.
One of the most unique cheeses at Gourmet House is truffle cheese, which is a soft cheese with a strong truffle flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often served as a dessert cheese. Truffle cheese is a great way to add a touch of luxury to any meal, and the selection at Gourmet House is top-notch.
Another unique cheese at Gourmet House is goat cheese, which is a soft cheese with a tangy flavor. It's made from goat's milk and is often served as a snack or appetizer. Goat cheese is a great alternative to cow's milk cheese and is perfect for those who are lactose intolerant.
Carrefour
Carrefour is a French supermarket chain that has several locations in Tbilisi. They offer a wide variety of products, including cheese. Their cheese section features both Georgian and imported cheeses. The prices are reasonable, and the selection is extensive. Carrefour is a great place to find high-quality cheeses at affordable prices.
One of the most popular imported cheeses at Carrefour is camembert, which is a soft cheese with a mild flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often served as a dessert cheese. Carrefour offers several varieties of camembert, including organic camembert, which is made from organic milk.
Another popular imported cheese at Carrefour is cheddar, which is a hard cheese with a sharp flavor. It's made from cow's milk and is often used in British cuisine, such as in cheese and onion sandwiches. Carrefour offers several varieties of cheddar, including aged cheddar, which has a sharper flavor and is great for grating.
Tips for Buying Cheese in Tbilisi
- Try before you buy: Many cheese shops in Tbilisi offer tastings, so take advantage of this to find the perfect cheese for your taste.
- Ask for recommendations: The staff at cheese shops in Tbilisi are knowledgeable about their products and can help you find the perfect cheese for your needs.
- Look for traditional Georgian cheeses: Georgian cheeses are unique and delicious, so be sure to try some while you're in Tbilisi.
- Check the expiration date: Make sure to check the expiration date before buying cheese to ensure that it's fresh.
- Consider the price: Cheese can be expensive, so make sure to consider the price before making a purchase.
Conclusion
Tbilisi is a cheese lover's paradise, with a wide variety of shops offering both traditional Georgian cheeses and imported varieties. Whether you're looking for something unique or just want to try some of the best cheeses in the world, there's something for every taste and budget. So, the next time you're in Tbilisi, be sure to check out some of these great cheese shops!