Market Stall · Candle-Shaped Candy

Churchkhela

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Georgian warriors reportedly carried churchkhela into battle centuries ago — an early version of the modern energy bar.

Churchkhela is made by threading walnuts or hazelnuts onto a string, then dipping the strand again and again into thickened grape juice, called tatara, until it builds into a firm, candle-shaped candy. Rows of the deep-red and amber strands hang from market stalls across Georgia, sold by length and eaten as a chewy snack.

Why it's made this way: The sugar-preserved coating made churchkhela a natural travel ration for merchants and soldiers on long journeys, and in 2015 the tradition was added to Georgia's list of intangible cultural heritage.