What Is Churchkhela? The Georgian "Candle Candy" You Can Find Near Portland

Walk into a good Eastern European market and you might spot what look like waxy, colorful candles hanging in a row. They're not candles. They're churchkhela (ჩურჩხელა), a traditional Georgian candy that's been made the same way for centuries. If you've ever searched "churchkhela near me," we carry it at Kalinka Euro Market in Battle Ground, a short drive from both Vancouver and Portland.

What Churchkhela Actually Is

Churchkhela is made from just a few simple things: grape juice, nuts, and a little flour. There's no added candy or chocolate inside. The flavor comes straight from the grapes.

Here's how it's made. Walnut halves (sometimes hazelnuts or almonds) are threaded onto a string to make a long strand. That strand gets dipped over and over into a thickened mixture of concentrated grape juice, sugar, and flour, called tatara. Each dip adds another layer, and after eight to ten dips the nuts are fully coated in a smooth, firm shell. Then the strands hang up to dry for several days, and the best ones are left to cure for weeks afterward.

The result is chewy on the outside, crunchy in the middle, and naturally sweet. People sometimes call it the "Georgian Snickers" because of that combination, though churchkhela is far older and a lot more natural.

The color depends on the grapes. Red and purple grapes give you deep reddish-brown churchkhela, while white grapes make a lighter golden one. That's why a shop display ends up looking like a row of different-colored candles.

A Real Piece of Georgian History

Churchkhela goes back a long way in Georgia, the country in the Caucasus that's also famous as one of the oldest wine-making regions on earth. The candy and the wine are connected. Families would press grapes for wine and use the leftover grape must (the fresh juice before it ferments) to make churchkhela. Nothing went to waste.

It was also practical. Because it's dense, sweet, and keeps for a long time without refrigeration, churchkhela traveled well. There are old stories of Georgian soldiers carrying it as a high-energy food on long journeys.

Georgia takes the tradition seriously. The traditional way of making churchkhela in the Kakheti wine region was added to Georgia's official list of intangible cultural heritage in 2015.

How to Eat It

Churchkhela is simple to enjoy. Just slice it crosswise into rounds with a knife, and you'll see the nuts inside the chewy grape coating. It's great with tea or coffee, and it pairs naturally with wine, which makes sense given where it comes from.

It's also a solid snack on its own. Since it's made from fruit and nuts, it's filling and gives you real energy, which is why hikers and travelers have always liked it.

Georgian Sweets Near Vancouver and Portland

Georgian foods can be hard to find in the Pacific Northwest, so if you've been hunting for churchkhela, we're worth the trip. At Kalinka Euro Market we carry Georgian and Eastern European sweets along with a full grocery and deli, from sausages and cheeses to dumplings, candy, and tea.

We're at 813 W Main St UNIT 110, Battle Ground, WA 98604. That's about 15 minutes from Vancouver, WA and roughly 25 minutes from Portland, OR. Selection of specialty sweets like churchkhela can vary, so if you want to make sure we have it in stock, give us a quick call before you come.

Kalinka Euro Market 813 W Main St UNIT 110, Battle Ground, WA 98604 Phone: (360) 666-6919 Open daily, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Stop in and try a piece. It's one of those things you have to taste to understand.