What to Eat in Borçka: Famous Dishes and Local Products

Famous Dishes of Borçka

• 🧈

  Kuymak (cornmeal with butter and cheese)

  Kuymak, made with cornmeal, butter and civil cheese, is Borçka's best-loved traditional dish. It is served over a fire, stirred constantly until it reaches a stretchy consistency.

• 🥬

  Karalahana Dolması (stuffed kale leaves)

  Kale leaves wrapped around a rice filling, this dolma is an essential winter dish in Borçka cuisine.

• 🍯

  Macahel Balı ile Kaymak (honey with kaymak)

  Honey from the Caucasian bees of the world-famous Macahel Valley is served with fresh kaymak (clotted cream), an essential part of breakfast tables.

• 🍽️

  Macahel Honey (Macahel Balı)

  Chestnut honey produced in the Macahel area, part of Borçka.

These dishes are known throughout Artvin province; see the provincial food guide for details.

• 🐟

  Hopa Hamsili Ekmek (anchovy cornbread)

  Hopa bread made with cornmeal and anchovies, with a registered geographical indication.

• 🥧

  Hopa Laz Böreği (custard-filled pastry)

  A sweet börek made by placing custard between layers of yufka, with a registered geographical indication.

• 🥐

  Şavşat Ketesi (buttery filled pastry)

  Şavşat ketesi, a buttery pastry with a filling.

• 🍎

  Borçka Demir Elması (Borçka iron apple)

  A local apple with a registered geographical indication, firm in texture and long-lasting.

What to Buy in Borçka: Local Products

• Borçka Demir Elması Borçka Demir Elması was registered as a protected geographical indication on 9 December 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1284). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables, and mushrooms. Registered by: Borçka Municipality.
• Macahel Honey (Macahel Balı) Honey from the Caucasian bees of Macahel Valley is known for its world-renowned quality. Gathered from endemic plant cover, this honey is valued for its high antioxidant content.
• Tea Tea is grown in the parts of Borçka closer to the coast. The tea produced locally is one of the high-quality examples of Eastern Black Sea tea.

What Borçka Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

• 🏡

  Macahel Culture

  Macahel Valley is an area where communities of Georgian origin live and traditional ways of life are maintained. Timber architecture, beekeeping traditions and a lifestyle in harmony with nature are the main elements of this culture.

• 🐝

  Caucasian Beekeeping

  Borçka and Macahel Valley are the homeland of the Caucasian honeybee (Apis mellifera caucasica). This bee species holds an important place in world beekeeping thanks to its calm temperament and high honey yield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Borçka Travel Guide

• 📍 Things to Do in Borçka 8 places to visit →
• 🗺️ What to Eat in Artvin All the famous dishes of the province →

What to Eat in Other Districts of Artvin

• Artvin Central District 4 dishes Artvin Kuymağı, Laz Böreği and Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves)
• Ardanuç 4 dishes Kuymak, Karalahana Soup and Corn Bread
• Arhavi 4 dishes Arhavi Kestane Balı (Arhavi chestnut honey), Kuymak (Muhlama) and Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves)
• Hopa 3 dishes Hamsi Tava (pan-fried anchovies), Kuymak and Karalahana Çorbası (collard green soup)
• Kemalpaşa 4 dishes Hamsili Pilav (anchovy pilaf), Muhlama (Kuymak) and Laz Böreği
• Murgul 3 dishes Kuymak, Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves) and Mısır Ekmeği (cornbread)
• Şavşat 4 dishes Kuymak, Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves) and Mısır Ekmeği (cornbread)
• Yusufeli 4 dishes Kuymak (cornmeal and cheese dish), Alabalık Izgara (grilled trout) and Karalahana Sarması (stuffed kale leaves)