Ajika

Ajika
Red adjika
Alternative namesAdjika
CourseDip
Place of originGeorgia
Region or stateSamegrelo
Main ingredientsRed peppers, garlic, herbs and spices, salt, and walnut

Ajika or adjika (Georgian: აჯიკა; Abkhaz: аџьыка) is a Georgian and Abkhazian[1] spicy, subtly flavored sauce or dip, often used to flavor food.[2] Ajika is primarily pepper based and usually includes other spices such as coriander, fenugreek, or blue fenugreek. Common varieties of ajika resemble Italian red pesto in appearance and consistency, although a dry version also exists. Though it is usually red, green ajika is also made with unripe peppers.

In 2018, ajika was included on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia list. It originates from the Samegrelo and Abkhazia regions in the western part of Georgia.[3]

The dish is also prepared in Sakarya, Turkey among the Abaza people and is patented by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.[4]

Etymology

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The word adjika comes from abkhaz language and means "salt".[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Г. Г. Копешавидзе. Абхазская кухня". apsnyteka.org. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  2. ^ T. Burford (2008). Georgia, Bradt Travel Guide. p. 69.
  3. ^ "Ajika granted the status of an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia". Georgian Journal. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Coğrafi İşaret Platformu". Coğrafi İşaret Platformu (in Turkish). Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Abkhaz-Adyghe etymology : Query result". starlingdb.org. Retrieved 21 September 2024.