Turianskyi Chasnyk garlic farm, Turi Remety

“Turianskyi Chasnyk” (Turia Garlic) is a farm brand from the village of Turi Remety in the Turia river valley, Perechyn area. Its founder Vladyslav Symochko once noticed something odd: local garlic was hard to find at Zakarpattia’s markets, even though the climate is ideal for it. He started growing his own, and a friend suggested pickling it rather than only selling it fresh. Within a few years ordinary garlic became a recognisable Perechyn brand, written about in the regional media, and its products are readily stocked by local shops, eateries and cheese dairies.

Why look for Turia Garlic

It is one of those small Zakarpattia brands that have become a local highlight: people take home a jar of garlic pickled with lavender just as they would cheese or wine. The producer does not publicly offer field visits, so this is mainly about buying. You will find the products in Zakarpattia’s craft-food shops — including the shops of local cheese dairies — and you can order directly from the farmer via the Facebook page or by phone. If you are travelling up the Turia valley, call ahead: you may be able to collect your order right in the village.

What to try and buy

• garlic pickled with lavender — an unexpected, highly aromatic pairing and the brand’s best-known product;
• garlic pickled with sweet or hot peppers;
• pickled garlic scapes;
• garlic sauce and other garlic treats.

The main variety grown is the Ukrainian “Liubasha”; the farmer has also tried French varieties. According to him, no pesticides or herbicides are used: the soil is fed with wood ash in autumn and saltpetre in spring. Pickled cloves lose their heat and sharp smell and become crunchy and piquant — a great snack with cheese, meat or a glass of Zakarpattia wine. Garlic has long been a kitchen-garden staple in the region’s villages, pickled and salted for winter and added to bacon and sausages; Turia Garlic gives that familiar preserve a modern twist. In craft-food shops a 200 g jar has cost about 130 UAH (check current prices).

Practical information

• Where: Turi Remety village, Perechyn community, Uzhhorod district (ask by phone for the exact address).
• Phone: +38 095 091 39 86.
• Facebook: “Turianskyi Chasnyk” (garlic.uz.ua) — news and orders.
• Hours and visits: not published — arrange a meeting in advance.

Getting there. Turi Remety lies on the road that runs from Perechyn up the Turia valley, just a few kilometres from the town. Perechyn itself is about 20 km from Uzhhorod on the road along the Uzh river towards Velykyi Bereznyi. You can reach Perechyn by bus or by local train from Uzhhorod (Perechyn station on the Uzhhorod–Sambir line), then continue by local bus or car to Turi Remety.

Website and social media: facebook.com

Photos: tourinform.org.ua; zaktour.gov.ua; i.ytimg.com.