Xaza Mzgin

The snow on the peaks of the Zagros was still thick, but Shivan could feel the change in the air. For months, his village had been quiet, tucked away in the white silence of winter. But today, the wind carried the scent of wet earth and waking roots.

Xaza mzgin. The earth remembers. So do we. xaza mzgin

The journey of xaza begins in fertile valleys like those of Tsalketis or Rkoni. Farmers like Giorgi from Telavi describe the labor-intensive harvest—beans picked before they harden, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture. “ We harvest by hand to avoid bruising the delicate pods, ” he says. Post-harvest, the beans are either sold fresh or dried to khari xazi for winter stews. The snow on the peaks of the Zagros