Hop-Suneli

Georgian cuisine is unthinkable without spices. This is partly what gave rise to the stereotype that national Georgian dishes are too spicy. In fact, most of the seasonings in Georgia are designed to give dishes not spiciness, but a unique flavor. ^{[1] [2]}. This also applies to the most famous of Georgian spices – suneli hops.

General characteristics

Suneli hops are not one spice, but a mixture of them. It consists of six (in the basic version) or twelve (in the full version) ingredients at once. Remarkably, there is no GOST that strictly regulates the composition of the seasoning, and therefore it often varies depending on the preferences of chefs.

The very word “hops-suneli” in translation from Georgian means “dry spice”. Outwardly, it is a fine powder of a greenish-brown hue with a very bright, spicy aroma.

Suneli hops gained incredible popularity in the eighties of the last century. Then she first appeared on the shelves of the shops of the former Soviet republics and immediately gained a reputation as an exotic one. The thing is that in the USSR, consumers were not spoiled with a special variety of spices: most of the inhabitants of the country used only bay leaves and peppers during cooking. Therefore, housewives yearning for exquisite tastes began to add suneli hops to almost all dishes: meat, fish, legumes and vegetables, rice, potatoes and pasta. And, oddly enough, the Georgian spice suited all these culinary delights, forcing them to play in a new way their taste and aroma. The only “but” in the case of suneli hops is that you should not be overly zealous when using it, because its aroma is so intense that if you overdo it with the dosage, the seasoning will kill the natural taste of the main components of the dish.

Now you will not surprise anyone with suneli hops: the seasoning can be purchased at any store. Most often, it is sold in foil packaging, but culinary experts are convinced that it is better to choose spices packaged in glass jars. Yes, they cost significantly more, but such containers have one huge plus: they are airtight, and therefore retain the original taste and aroma of the seasoning. If you still bought suneli hops in ordinary soft packaging, then it should be poured into a glass container.

Please note that only spices are included in the composition of high-quality seasoning, no ingredients marked “E” should be present. ^[3]. If, in addition to spices, the manufacturer included some additional ingredients, this may indicate that the seasoning does not contain some of the most expensive components, the lack of which they decided to “disguise” in this way with flavors ^[4].

seasoning composition

As noted above, there are two versions of the hop-suneli mixture: basic and full.

The basic composition contains only six ingredients. These are basil, marjoram, hot red pepper, coriander, saffron and dill. In the full version of hops-suneli, there are twice as many of them. It is a mixture of basil, coriander, hot red pepper, bay leaf, celery, marjoram, parsley, mint, dill, fenugreek (also known as shambhala or fenugreek), savory and saffron (or Imeretian saffron – marigolds).

All of the above ingredients for hop-suneli seasoning are used in equal proportions. There are only two exceptions: red pepper and saffron. Pepper should make up one to two percent of the total weight of the mixture, and saffron one tenth of a percent. However, as noted above, there is no GOST for sunel hops, and therefore cooks, if they prepare the seasoning on their own, and do not use the one bought in the store, often change the proportions at their discretion.

The calorie content of hops-suneli in the full version is 417,5 kcal per 100 g of the product. The composition of the nutrients is as follows: 5 g of proteins, 40 g of fat and 10 g of carbohydrates ^[5].

Useful Properties

The unique composition of hops-suneli gives this seasoning a wide range of useful properties. When used in reasonable amounts, it can normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, relieving such unpleasant phenomena as flatulence, diarrhea and fermentation in the intestines. In addition, hops-suneli helps to remove excess water from the body, as a result of which edema disappears. Among other useful properties, one should highlight the ability to increase the overall resistance of the body to viruses and microbes, improve the state of the cardiovascular system. In addition, in the Caucasus, they are convinced that the use of hops-suneli helps men increase libido, stimulating the release of sex hormones.

Since the beneficial properties of this seasoning are a combination of the beneficial properties of its ingredients, they should be considered in more detail, and above all those that are exotic for the post-Soviet space.

Let’s start with fenugreek, also known as fenugreek or shamballa. This plant has long been used in folk medicine. Thanks to the mucus included in its composition, it has an enveloping effect, improving intestinal motility and contributing to the binding and natural removal of toxins and waste from the body. In addition, this component gives fenugreek expectorant properties, which allows it to be used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. The high content of antioxidants in fenugreek has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, increasing the elasticity of blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure. Fenugreek is also useful for people suffering from diabetes, as it helps to reduce blood glucose levels. Finally, this plant is known as a powerful aphrodisiac – a means of increasing sexual desire. This is due to its constituent phytosterols, which have properties similar to those of hormones. One of these substances, diosgenin, acts on the female body like estrogen.

Savory garden (a plant belonging to the same family with thyme) also boasts a wide list of useful properties. First of all, we should mention its extremely beneficial effect on the state of the gastrointestinal tract. Savory stimulates the appetite and improves the digestion process. It effectively fights flatulence, stopping putrefactive processes in the intestines. It is not surprising that this herb is one of the main components of medicinal collections that gastroenterologists prescribe for digestive disorders and diarrhea. Also, this plant acts as an antispasmodic, relieving colic. In addition, savory has such pronounced bactericidal properties that it can even extend the shelf life of products. Due to its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, it is used for colds to remove mucus from the bronchi and trachea. This plant is also useful in disorders of the nervous system, as it helps to relieve tension, removes stress and depression, and also increases the overall tone of the body.

Basil is one of the champions among plants in terms of the number of useful properties, which is explained by the high content of vitamins A, C and PP, as well as essential oil. This plant significantly increases the body’s resistance and boasts a bactericidal and disinfectant effect due to the natural antibiotics present in its composition – phytoncides. In addition, basil is an excellent antipyretic for flu and colds, and also helps to recover faster from bronchitis and acute respiratory infections. This plant is extremely useful in diseases of the digestive system. In particular, it helps to dissolve stones in the kidneys and gallbladder, prevents fermentation in the intestines, and has a slight choleretic effect. Basil is also useful for the nervous system: it helps to relax, reduces high blood pressure, and relieves stress. Basil is also an effective aphrodisiac, and therefore useful for people with problems in the intimate sphere. Seasoning owes him a slight cooling effect.

Suneli hops also contain coriander greens, known as cilantro. This plant has an anti-inflammatory effect due to its essential oil, which is a powerful antiseptic. The use of cilantro greens is indicated for ARVI and influenza, as well as for any diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, caries, gingivitis). The plant has a diuretic and antimicrobial effect, helping to heal the kidneys and remove excess fluid from the body. Green cilantro is indicated for disorders of the nervous system: it has a relaxing effect, helps to normalize blood pressure, is useful for insomnia and depression with obsessive thoughts. Finally, this plant is known for its anti-rheumatic properties, the ability to stop pain and inflammation in the joints. Green cilantro gives the seasoning a bitter pleasant aftertaste.

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world for a reason. There are more than enough reasons for this, if we consider the beneficial properties of this plant. It is an incredibly powerful prophylactic against the development of cancer, and also has incredible antioxidant properties. Saffron promotes the production of serotonin (the very “hormone of joy”), and therefore helps to overcome stress and brings relief in depressive states. This plant helps to normalize the blood formula, preventing the development of anemia. Thanks to its diuretic action, saffron relieves edema and removes excess fluid from the body. In addition, it promotes the dissolution of stones in the liver, kidneys and gallbladder. It is also known about the radioprotective properties of saffron and its ability to remove radionuclides. Finally, this plant is a powerful aphrodisiac, equally effective for both male and female libido, normalizing hormonal levels and even helping with infertility.

Celery is a plant that is widely used in folk medicine as an effective natural remedy for lowering blood pressure and improving the condition of the cardiovascular system. It has anticoagulant properties, preventing the formation of blood clots, and also boasts a high content of phthalides – substances that prevent arterial spasms. Due to its diuretic properties, celery helps to get rid of edema, remove excess fluid from the body and reduce the load on the kidneys. Even in ancient Rome, men used this plant as a powerful aphrodisiac. Modern researchers have confirmed that celery really increases libido due to the content of the enzyme andosterone, which is excreted in sweat and is a strong pheromone. Celery is useful for people who are overweight due to its so-called negative calorie content. In other words, during the digestion of this plant, the body receives fewer calories than it spends. Celery gives hops-suneli a characteristic spicy aftertaste and a light woody aroma.

Mint is a plant with antispasmodic and antiseptic properties. It effectively relieves spasm of blood vessels, expanding them. Mint is incredibly useful for the gastrointestinal tract – it improves appetite and normalizes the digestion process, helps get rid of nausea, having a calming effect on the gastric mucosa. The essential oils present in mint are beneficial for the liver and gallbladder: they work as an effective choleretic agent, and also contribute to the removal of stones. Peppermint also benefits the nervous system: it helps to relax and maintain composure in stressful situations, normalizes blood pressure. It gives the seasoning a characteristic, slightly cooling aftertaste.

Parsley is a plant with a wide range of useful properties. First of all, parsley stimulates the production of collagen and increases the overall resistance of the body to viruses and bacteria. In addition, the substances contained in the essential oil of this plant have an anti-inflammatory effect in arthritis and rheumatism. The bioflavonoids present in the chemical composition of parsley stimulate energy metabolism, tone blood vessels and help reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels to normal. Parsley is useful for hyperacidity of the stomach as it acts as an antacid. This plant is also valuable because it has diuretic properties, reducing swelling and unloading the kidneys. Finally, parsley is useful for anemia, as it helps to normalize the level of iron in the blood.

Dill has proven to be an excellent remedy for preventing putrefactive processes in the intestines. It helps with flatulence and diarrhea due to the bactericidal properties of its essential oils. These same oils are able to thin the phlegm in the bronchi, as a result of which dill has expectorant properties. Among other useful properties of dill, one should highlight its ability to lower blood pressure and have a slight diuretic effect. Finally, dill has a calming effect on the nervous system, preventing the development of angina pectoris and neuroses. Suneli hops, it gives a special spicy flavor.

Bay leaf is a powerful natural antiseptic that has tremendous anti-inflammatory properties due to its constituent formic and caproic acid, camphor and tannins. Its use is especially recommended during the “cold season”. Also, this plant has expectorant properties, facilitating the discharge of sputum in diseases of the bronchi. Bay leaf is useful for increased lability of the nervous system, as it has a calming effect and a slight hypnotic effect. In addition, “lavrushka” effectively removes stagnant fluid from the body and “accelerates” the metabolism. The use of bay leaf is indicated for bleeding gums and other diseases of the oral cavity due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, butyric acid, which is contained in the bay leaf, prevents diseases of the large intestine.

Hot red pepper, due to its spicy bitter taste, stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, promoting the synthesis of pancreatic enzymes. It also has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, increasing the elasticity of blood vessels and helping to cleanse them. Another useful property of this spice is that it helps to digest heavy food, so that there is no overload of the gastrointestinal tract. Red ground pepper is recommended during the “cold season” because it boosts immunity by improving the body’s resistance to viruses and bacteria.

Marjoram, which has a characteristic sweetish aroma, is recommended for hypovitaminosis, with reduced immunity and low hemoglobin levels in the blood. It alleviates the condition of patients with acute respiratory viral infections, softening the cough and facilitating the removal of sputum from the bronchi. The spice helps the gastrointestinal tract cope with heavy and fatty meals and is very useful for pancreatitis, as it stops inflammation.

Harm and contraindications

Like any other seasoning, suneli hops have certain contraindications for use. First of all, you should not use this spice for people who have been diagnosed with liver problems.

Since the seasoning contains a large number of components, it can cause individual intolerance. Therefore, people prone to allergies should be as careful as possible with this spice.

Due to the choleretic effect of the seasoning, you should not abuse it too much in the presence of stones in the gallbladder. The presence of hot pepper in the composition makes suneli hops not the best choice for people suffering from gastritis and peptic ulcer.

Use in cooking

In cooking, suneli hops are most often used to prepare dishes of Caucasian cuisine. These are lobio, chakhokhbili, kharcho soup and other dishes ^[6]. This seasoning is also added to the legendary national sauces, including adjika and tkemali.

However, suneli hops can be used not only for cooking Georgian delicacies. It goes well with chicken and pork, gives a piquant taste to salads and fish. Suneli hops are also used to flavor vegetable stew, porridge, pilaf, and pasta. This seasoning is also added to sauces and soups.

Taking into account the fact that none of the ingredients that make up the seasoning need long-term heat treatment, it should be added to dishes a couple of minutes before removing them from the heat.

Cooking hops-suneli at home

Since all the spices that make up the seasoning can be easily bought at the market or in the supermarket, suneli hops can be prepared at home. To do this, it is enough to separately grind each of the components in a mortar or a special mill.

In a separate bowl, mix together one tablespoon of all ingredients. Please note that you should not store suneli hops for the future, as the seasoning may lose its fresh aroma.

Some sources recommend adding salt to the seasoning when making suneli hops. However, experts in cooking do not recommend doing this. Firstly, in this case, there is a high risk that, using seasoning, you can oversalt the dish, and secondly, when mixed with salt, spices lose their flavor faster.

Cooking chicken in Georgian

To prepare this dish, you will need the following ingredients: two tablespoons of adjika, half a bunch of fresh cilantro, 650 g of chicken fillet, two onions, four tablespoons of refined vegetable oil, one sweet pepper, 600 g of tomatoes, salt to taste, three cloves of garlic and a teaspoon of a mixture of hops-suneli.

Cut the onion into thin half rings. Cut the chicken into small pieces. Put the meat, onion in a saucepan, add adjika, half of the total amount of suneli hops, vegetable oil. Salt. Mix thoroughly with your hands and leave to marinate for an hour.

Cut the sweet pepper into squares, chop the garlic and cilantro. Prepare the tomatoes. Peel the skin and cut the tomatoes into cubes.

Heat the remaining oil in a saucepan and put the marinated meat and onions in it. Roast until the meat turns white. After that, add the tomatoes and simmer for half an hour.

Add chopped bell pepper, remaining seasoning, chopped cilantro and garlic. Simmer for ten minutes.

Georgian chicken is served with vegetables.

Cooking chicken carpaccio with satsivi sauce

To prepare this dish, you will need 700 g of chicken legs, 10 g of gelatin, salt and black pepper to taste, 200 g of walnut kernels, 150 g of onion, two cloves of garlic, 50 g of butter, 30 g of wheat flour, 1 g of ground coriander, the same amount of suneli hops, 5 g of black peppercorns, 200 ml of chicken broth, 10 g of cilantro.

Pass the nuts, onions and garlic through a meat grinder twice. Fry the mixture in butter, adding flour.

Pour in the chicken broth, salt, add spices and bring to a boil. When the sauce thickens, remove it from the heat.

When the sauce has cooled, add chopped cilantro and stir.

Salt and pepper the fillet. Put in a bowl, add the gelatin previously soaked in cold water there. Stir.

Wrap the meat with gelatin in cling film and form a sausage. Steam for twenty minutes.

When the meat has cooled, cut the meat sausage into circles.

Put the sauce on a dish, put the meat slices on top and garnish with herbs.

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