San Marzano tomatoes PDO: characteristics and where to buy them

The San Marzano PDO tomato is a peeled tomato obtained from plants of the San Marzano variety from the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area, which can also be grown in other areas of the province of Salerno, in Montoro in the province of Avellino, and in some areas of the province of Naples, provided that they are among the municipalities of the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area listed in the specification.

The main characteristic is its transformation into peeled tomatoes; in fact, the San Marzano PDO is grown by farms in the area and processed through industrial procedures, following specific rules both in the cultivation and harvesting of the product, and in the processing.

The fresh San Marzano tomato has an elongated berry shape with parallel longitudinal depressions; the colour of the berry is bright red, the skin is easily peeled and has a low presence of seeds and placental fibres.  

The flavour of the fresh product is typically sweet and sour.

The Protected Designation of Origin designates exclusively the product 'pelato' and the type 'pelato a filetti', both products must come from the processing of fruit belonging to the San Marzano variety or improved lines of this variety, provided they are within the guidelines of the specification.

Once processed, the product has a uniform red colour and, if whole, retains its elongated, parallelepiped shape; it must be between 60 and 80 millimetres long.

The finished product may be seasoned with a maximum of 3% salt in relation to the net weight; basil leaves and semi-concentrated tomato juice obtained exclusively from San Marzano tomatoes may be present. Other flavours and odours foreign to the raw material must be absent.

The weight of the drained product must not be less than 65% of the net weight.

San Marzano PDO is grown vertically, with suitable supports and horizontal wires.

In addition to normal cultivation practices, both suckering and topping are permitted.

topping. The product specification also allows cultivation in protected environments in order to protect the crop from pests and insects.

On the other hand, any forcing practice aimed at altering the natural biological cycle of the tomato is prohibited,

with particular regard to ripening.

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In order to transform the San Marzano tomato into peeled tomatoes, certain procedures regulated by the specification are required, starting with the harvesting of the fruit.

The berries are harvested in the months between 15 July and 15 October; in compliance with the PDO mark, no machinery may be used for harvesting, so the fruit must be picked exclusively by hand.

The fruit is harvested in stages when it is fully ripe.

Processing takes place roughly in two stages, for both whole peeled and filleted products.

Prima di tutto le bacche vengono lavate e si fa una prima cernita dei migliori; in seguito, viene fatta la pelatura, rigorosamente a mano. I pelati, a questo punto vengono scelti nuovamente e preparati per l'inscatolamento con l'aggiunta del concentrato di San Marzano.

Each container is marked with the abbreviation SM, then the boxes are sterilised and left to cool.

The San Marzano tomato probably has Peruvian origins. It seems, in fact, that the first seed was donated by the Kingdom of Peru to the Kingdom of Naples in 1770. However, there is evidence that the ecotype was only introduced in the Nocera, S. Marzano and Sarno areas in 1902.

It is almost certainly known that already at the beginning of the 20th century, the San Marzano was highly appreciated in the Naples area, especially after the canning industries of Francesco Cirio; he who invented the peeled tomato then regulated by the Disciplinare.

Today the San Marzano tomato has achieved worldwide fame, thanks to its unique flavour and inimitable aroma.

The San Marzano peeled tomato is suitable for every recipe, although its fame began in Naples, as a condiment for Gragnano pasta, San Marzano is also great for topping pizza and preparing tasty sauce dishes or simply enjoying it on a slice of bread.

Check out the San Marzano DOP peeled tomatoes in our store for prices and related products.