CNN Goes Crazy for Georgia
Georgia has been catching CNN’s eye quite a bit lately, with the media company writing about Georgian cuisine on January 29, and just two days later, on January 31, publishing an article about the Best 10 Georgia Locations.
The first one about Georgian cuisine, written by Paul Rimple, a freelance journalist based in Tbilisi since 2002, who has been the Bureau Chief for Culinary Backstreets Tbilisi for four years now, highlights the very best of Georgian traditional dishes.
“The greatest gastronomic secret has been let out of the bag,” writes CNN, going into detail to praise Georgian cuisine, which is finally getting the acknowledgment it deserves.
“Georgian food and wine, long revered for its individuality, exoticness, and delectability, is now finding its rightful place on tables around the world,” reads the article.
“The best way to explore Georgian cuisine is to start with traditional fare, and no food says Georgia more than khinkali,” writes Rimple. He then advises on the do’s and don’ts with khinkali, underlining in a very Georgian-spirited way, “don't even think of using a knife and fork.”
“Google ‘khachapuri’ and the iconic acharuli invariably comes up because, frankly, there is nothing like it in the world,” the author writes of the legendary Georgian dish. “It is the mother of all comfort foods, eaten with the hands by ripping off pieces of crust and dipping them into the arterially perilous fondue,” writes the CNN.
While recommending Kharcho, the author calls it “ a spicy marriage of veal, tomato, garlic, and a plethora of spices.”
The CNN food report describes six Georgian must-taste dishes: Khinkali, Khachapuri, Mtsvadi, Shkmeruli, Kharcho with Ghomi, and Chakapuli. While the article gives the background information on the food and Georgian traditions of cooking them, it also suggests the readers the best places in Tbilisi to eat the masterpieces of Georgian cuisine.
The article published last Friday, written by Benjamin Kemper, a writer, guide and travel adviser, highlights 10 of the most spectacular touristic places to visit in Georgia. Although narrowing Georgia’s touristic potential to just ten places seems like a round of tough decisions, Kemper seems to have done a pretty good job.
"Georgia may be small in size, but it still packs an astounding geographical punch,” reads the very first sentence of the CNN article titled ‘10 of the dreamiest places in Georgia,' published on January 31.
The author starts by exploring the basic attractions of Georgia from the west – the Black Sea coast, to the east – where six of the highest mountains in Europe reside in the Caucasus.
Kemper’s CNN story highlights his top 10 spots as Mutso, Ushguli, Vardzia, Gelati Monastery, Gergeti Trinity Church, Ananuri, Gomismta, Sighnaghi, Dartlo, and David Gareja.
Additionally, the article gives background information about these culturally and historically significant locations, and sees the author promising that these ten places are sure to ignite the readers’ wanderlust.
By Nini Dakhundaridze