Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti · Georgia
Sulguni.
Sulguni's elastic, slightly squeaky bite gives way to a creamy interior with a bright tang and subtle brine—imagine mozzarella that's been pulled taut and seasoned with the minerality of the sea. Mild and unintimidating on the palate, it's a cheese that whispers rather than shouts, its charm emerging in the gentle lactic notes that linger as it warms in your mouth.
Rate this cheese
Origin
42.6°N · 42.2°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Sulguni is Georgia's most important cheese, originating in the western Samegrelo region. It is a stretched-curd cheese similar to mozzarella but firmer, stored in brine or lightly smoked.
It is a centuries-old cheese, documented since at least the 17th century. It is central to khachapuri (Georgian cheese bread) and is protected as a Georgian geographical indication.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Pasta filata
- Rind
- rindless
- Age
- 0–3 mo
- Intensity
- 2 / 5
- Texture
- semi-hard
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Sulguni's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for pasta filata cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 20–30 min before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Tear, don't cut — torn mozzarella and burrata expose more surface and taste creamier.
Store
Fresh and brined cheeses keep best covered in their liquid — and are happiest eaten within days.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Sulguni.
43 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Sulguni are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Sulguni at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
