Where can you buy churchkhela, and how much does it cost?
Markets, roadside stalls, shops and how to choose a good one.
Short answer
Churchkhela is sold at markets such as Dezerter Bazaar in Tbilisi and the Central Market in Batumi, at roadside stalls on the way to Kakheti and Kazbegi, in supermarkets and souvenir shops. One usually costs a few lari, cheaper at markets and dearer in tourist spots. A good churchkhela is soft, with a thick layer of grape juice and whole nuts.
Why
- Churchkhela is made from grape juice thickened with flour, called tatara, over walnuts or hazelnuts on a string.
- The freshest churchkhela appears in autumn after the grape harvest.
- It keeps well and makes a good gift.
Details
Very hard or cracked churchkhela is usually old. Brightly dyed ones are often made for tourists; natural churchkhela is usually dark burgundy or pale.
Tip
Buy churchkhela at markets and on the road to Kakheti, where it's fresher and cheaper than at tourist stalls.
What may differ
The freshest churchkhela comes in autumn after the harvest; by spring more of it is old.
Common misconception
The brighter the churchkhela, the tastier it is.
What actually happens
Bright colours often come from dyes; natural churchkhela is usually dark burgundy or pale.
People also ask
- Where to buy churchkhela?
Prices were collected in September and early October 2026 and are given as ranges.
Georgian Sweets: Churchkhela, Pakhlava, Gozinaki and MoreRelated questions
-
How do khinkali differ from manti?
Khinkali are a Georgian dish boiled in water, while manti come from Central Asian and Turkic cuisines and are steamed.
-
Khinkali and khachapuri: whose dishes are they?
Both khinkali and khachapuri are Georgian dishes.
-
Which cheese do you need for khachapuri?
In Georgia, khachapuri uses Imeretian cheese, a young brined cheese with a mild tang, and sulguni, which stretches well.
-
How do you make khachapuri at home?
The easiest home khachapuri is Imeretian: make a dough of matsoni or kefir with flour, egg and baking soda, fill it with grated cheese, flatten it and fry in a pan or bake.