Churchkhela (Georgian Walnut and Grape Juice Candy)
Local name: ჩურჩხელა
In short: Strings of walnuts dipped in thick, cooked grape juice and hung to dry into a chewy, fruity candy shaped like a long candle. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 72 h
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Churchkhela is the walnut candy of Georgia: strings of walnuts dipped again and again in cooked, thickened grape juice, then hung to dry until the coating turns into a chewy, fruity skin. It looks like a long candle and is sliced into rounds to eat. Making it takes patience, mostly for the drying, but the method is simple and the result keeps for weeks, so it is a good travel snack.
Instructions
- Cut 8 pieces of strong cotton thread, each about 50 cm (20 in) long. Tie a large knot at one end of each and leave 8 cm (3 in) free at the other end for hanging. Thread a needle and string 12 to 14 walnut halves onto each thread, pushing them snugly together.
- Bring 800 ml (3 1/3 cups) of the grape juice to a simmer in a wide saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until reduced by about a third.
- Whisk the cornstarch into the remaining 200 ml (3/4 cup) cold juice until smooth. Pour it into the hot juice in a thin stream, whisking constantly.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring, for 5 to 8 minutes, until the mixture is very thick and glossy. Take it off the heat and cool for 10 minutes, until you can handle it.
- Dip each string into the warm grape mixture, lift it out and slide the extra back into the pan with your fingers. Hang the strings over a tray for 3 hours.
- Rewarm the mixture gently, adding a spoonful of juice if it has stiffened, and dip the strings again. Repeat once more, for 3 dips in total, drying the strings for 3 hours between dips.
- Hang the finished strings in a cool, dry, airy place, out of direct sun, for 3 days, until the coating is firm and no longer sticky. Slice into rounds to serve.
Tips
- The mixture must be warm and thick enough to cling to the nuts. If it stiffens between dips, warm it gently over low heat with a splash of juice.
- Humid weather slows drying, so allow extra days. Wrap dried churchkhela in baking paper and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 months.
Questions and answers
How long does churchkhela take to dry?
Three days gives a soft, chewy candy. A week or more makes it firmer and leathery, closer to the traditional texture. Dry it in a cool, airy place away from sun.
Can I use hazelnuts instead of walnuts?
Yes. Hazelnuts are also used in Georgia, and almonds work too. Toast whole nuts lightly first and thread them with a thicker needle.
Is churchkhela vegan and gluten-free?
This version is, because it uses only grape juice, cornstarch and nuts. Many traditional recipes use wheat flour to thicken the juice, so check the label on bought ones.
How long does it take to make Churchkhela (Georgian Walnut and Grape Juice Candy)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Churchkhela (Georgian Walnut and Grape Juice Candy)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
