Tkemali is a sauce made from sour plums — either cherry plums (wild plums, tkemali in Georgian) or yellow and red Mirabelle plums. The colour of tkemali ranges from deep purple-red (red plum version) to yellow-green (yellow plum version). The red and purple pigment in the dark version comes from anthocyanins in the plum skin — the same pigment class as red wine and beetroot. Unlike red wine, tkemali has a higher acidity (from the sour plum itself) and contains herb compounds from the pennyroyal and coriander used in the recipe.
Plum anthocyanin: do not use vinegar or acid cleaners
Anthocyanin pigments are pH-sensitive — they appear red in acid and blue-purple in neutral-to-alkaline conditions. Applying white vinegar or acidic cleaners to a tkemali stain does not remove the colour and can shift it to a brighter red, making it more visible. For colour removal, hydrogen peroxide (which oxidises the anthocyanin molecule regardless of pH) is the correct treatment. Cold water and dish soap are safe first steps; acid-based stain removers should be avoided.
Treatment Steps
- Blot up pooled sauce with dry paper towels immediately — do not rub.
- Apply cold water and blot to dilute and begin lifting the anthocyanin.
- Apply dish soap solution (one teaspoon per two cups cold water) and blot.
- Apply enzyme cleaner for 15 minutes for the plum protein and herb residue.
- Rinse with cold water blotting.
- For residual purple-red colour on light carpet: diluted hydrogen peroxide (3%, 1:3 with water), 5–10 minutes contact, blot and rinse — oxidises the anthocyanin pigment.
- Allow to dry and inspect: a second hydrogen peroxide round on dry carpet if colour remains.
Yellow Tkemali vs. Red Tkemali
Yellow tkemali (made from yellow Mirabelle or cherry plums) produces a pale yellow stain from carotenoid and flavonoid pigments rather than the deep purple-red anthocyanin of the red version. On most carpet colours, the yellow version is nearly invisible. For white or cream carpet, the pale yellow responds easily to dish soap and a single hydrogen peroxide application. The treatment steps are otherwise identical. The herb and acid components (pennyroyal, coriander, plum acid) are the same in both versions.
Georgian or Eastern European Sauce on Carpet in Sutherland Shire?
Sutherland Shire Cleaners can match you with local carpet cleaning specialists for plum sauce and fruit-based condiment stain removal in Sutherland Shire homes.
Get a MatchSutherland Shire Cleaners is a local matching and referral service. We connect you with local providers — we do not supply cleaning services directly.
Frequently asked
Tkemali was used as a dipping sauce for Georgian shashlik (grilled meat) and both the sauce and the meat fat dripped onto the carpet at a BBQ. How do I treat the combined stain?
Shashlik fat and tkemali together means an oil/fat component is added to the anthocyanin plum stain. Start with the cornflour step to absorb the meat fat (not needed for tkemali alone but important when meat fat is present). Vacuum, then proceed with cold water, dish soap, enzyme cleaner for the meat protein, and hydrogen peroxide for the anthocyanin colour. The fat component does not change the colour treatment chemistry — the hydrogen peroxide step works on the anthocyanin pigment regardless of whether fat is also present. Ensure the cornflour and dish soap steps fully address the fat before applying hydrogen peroxide, as oil residue can slow the peroxide penetration to the pigment.
Tkemali spilled on a dark purple carpet and I cannot see the stain but the area is damp and slightly sticky. Do I still need to treat it if it is not visible?
Yes — treat the area even when the stain is not visible against a dark carpet. The plum juice is acidic and, if left in the carpet, can weaken carpet fibre over time. The dissolved plum sugar causes the tacky feeling and will remain hygroscopic and sticky in humid conditions. The herb compounds produce a faint smell if not removed. Apply the cold water blotting, dish soap, and enzyme cleaner steps across the damp area to address the acid, sugar, and organic residue. Hydrogen peroxide is not needed when there is no visible colour difference to treat — skip that step for dark carpets where colour removal is not the goal.
Tkemali stained a light wood floor next to the carpet as well. Can I treat both the carpet and the wood floor with the same method?
Carpet and wood floor require different treatment approaches for tkemali. For the carpet, use the full sequence: cold water, dish soap, enzyme cleaner, hydrogen peroxide for colour. For an unsealed or oiled wood floor, hydrogen peroxide should not be applied — it can bleach or lighten the wood surface. For sealed (polyurethane-finished) wood floors: wipe up the tkemali immediately with a damp cloth, then a small amount of dish soap and water, and dry promptly. Do not let the acidic plum juice sit on wood — the acidity can dull the finish over time if left. For unsealed wood: blot immediately, wipe with a barely damp cloth, and dry quickly to prevent moisture from raising the grain.