Green Mountains: Walking the Caucasus with Recipes

by Caroline Eden

Green Mountains charts a journey through the Caucasus, using food as a passport and stories as currency.
 
Beginning in Armenia, moving northwards through Georgia and ending at the Black Sea, Green Mountains weaves together the enchanting geography and the cult of the kitchen that prevails within these two countries. Tales of testing hikes and unpredictable terrain are punctuated by the foods Eden eats for respite – citrus, tea, apricots, mountain greens and magical cheeses – and the stories she uncovers.
 
Sharing both the deep comfort and satisfaction of a meal served after a long walk, and the unique relationships she forms with her hosts, Eden offers readers unique insights into the culture and food of these two countries. With meticulously researched histories, a catalogue of recipes from her travels, and rich, compelling stories, this is a travel book like no other.
 

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Travel, Memoir, Cooking

288 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last to be published, but the first I've read in Caroline Eden's Colour Trilogy, Green Mountains is a book to read slowly and savour. Covering Armenia and Georgia, the author takes us on numerous walks in the region over several different trips, meeting people, eating amazing food, and learning about interesting people and events through history. While there is a generous number of recipes included, I wouldn't categorise this as a cookbook as such - it leans more into the travel writing, supported by the recipes. I'll definitely be looking out for Black Sea: Dispatches and Recipes – Through Darkness and Light and Red Sands: Reportage and Recipes through Central Asia, from Hinterland to Heartland to continue the journey.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Green Mountains concludes the Color Trilogy from one of my favorite food writers! This stunningly gorgeous book depicts her travels (on foot) through Armenia and Georgia showcasing the beautiful region, vibrant culture, and delicious food of the Caucasus'. Like Red Sands and Black Sea, Green Mountains is much more than just a cookbook, it's also a photojournalistic tale of a place with lyrical passages that transport you to those green mountains 🏔

[Yana Andreikova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia is what I missed in the Black Sea book, here we’ve got Armenia and Georgia under one cover and for me this combo is great. What I didn’t quite like is the ongoing author’s love-and-hate relationship with Russia. It started in Black Sea and it continues here, it’s like author searches for “glorious” Russian past in Armenia and Georgia and everything reminds her of Russia but she has to remind herself every time that Russia is actually an oppressor and started the war in Ukraine. This book even ends with quote by Dostoyevsky.
Apart from that obsessive search for Russian legacy, the book is pretty nice, some recipes are tempting to try them out.

[Mélissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet travels through the Caucasus (Georgia and Armenia) through meeting locals, food, recipes. A beautiful read in these grim times.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel, history, food and culture all served up with Caroline Eden's wonderful story telling skills that make you feel as if you are there on the journey with her.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in a series. These are books to own.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photographs, evocative writing about walking through Armenia and Georgia, and mouth-watering recipes. A gem of a book.

[Dorota · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very enjoyable book, written with humour, curiosity, and an open mind.