Published:

Author:

Crown (Extra Small)

Growing San Marzano Tomatoes
LET’S FIND OUT HOW THE ‘RED GOLD’ FROM ITALY IS CULTIVATED

Italian Flag - Intro

The growing of San Marzano Tomatoes is a rather complex process that, by its very nature, cannot be mechanized. It is precisely the manual skills required in the various stages of production that make this fruit an excellence of taste, equal in value to a craft in which man and nature contribute equally. Let us therefore discover what these agricultural techniques consist of and the fundamental role played by a specific territory: that of Agro Sarnese Nocerino.

The cultivation of San Marzano Tomatoes.

Growing San Marzano Tomatoes.

One of the elements that most characterizes the San Marzano tomato, profoundly influencing its quality, is undoubtedly the cultivation of the plant, which is carried out strictly by hand at every stage and is described in a specification document whose aim is to reach a product of excellence, with the utmost respect for tradition.
Let’s examine the various stages of a production cycle that renews itself year after year:

  • It all begins in February and March (on average) with sowing in special seedbeds protected from the weather;

  • Between April and May, the seedlings are transplanted into the field and planted in long rows;

  • As the plants grow, their ends are delicately tied to vertical supports and wires that, like tutors, guide their development;

  • If necessary, progressive pruning and de-pruning are carried out;
  • Throughout the process, any pest or disease development is monitored;
  • Harvesting, which is strictly manual, takes place in several stages between the end of July and the first days of October. It is carried out progressively, from the lowest part of the rows to the highest;
Volcanic soil for the San Marzano Tomato.

Volcanic soil for the San Marzano Tomato.

Among the many factors that contribute to the uniqueness of San Marzano Tomato, the nature of the soil it grows must be absolutely mentioned. The Sarno Valley, i.e. the alluvial plain on which its fields extend themselves, is characterized by a soil of volcanic origin, extremely rich in magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium: minerals that, as a matter of fact, represent a natural storehouse of nutrients from which the product undoubtedly benefits. This is not to mention its great porosity, capable of draining the excess of water, allowing the plant to absorb only what it needs. If we add to this the centuries-old mastery of local farmers, it’s not surprising that such excellence of taste was born right in this area.

How do you recognise the Original San Marzano Tomato?

How to recognize the original San Marzano tomato?

It’s not surprising to find out that, like almost all successful products, San Marzano tomatoes have been the subject of many attempts at imitation, taking advantage of the confusion caused by certain similarities. So how can you be sure that you are dealing with the original?

Here is a brief list of some of the possible methods:

  • Check the consistency: real San Marzano tomatoes are softer than others;

  • Check for the presence of a long ridge on the side of the fruit;

  • Check for the absence of a ‘tip’ at the end of the tomato;

  • Cut across the tomato and check for the presence of two ‘lodges’ (hybrid tomatoes may have three or even four), with an almost square cross-section;

  • The real San Marzano may have a green ‘shoulder’;

San Marzano Tomatoes.
San Marzano Tomatoes.
Fried San Marzano Tomatoes.
Pasta with San Marzano Tomatoes.

The cultivation of San Marzano Tomato in video.

This video shows in detail the method used for growing the San Marzano tomato: from sowing to harvesting. It also shows the preparation of the famous preserve. Many thanks to its author: the Azienda Agricola Pachamama.

San Marzano Tomato: Pasta with San Marzano Tomato.

Interested in learning more about the San Marzano tomato? Let’s discover its characteristics in this product guide.

The ‘espaliers’ of San Marzano Tomato.

Growing San Marzano Tomatoes: the ‘espaliers'.

As they grow, the San Marzano tomato plants are tied (by hand) to special vertical supports. These are typically (but not necessarily) made of bamboo canes, and their function is to facilitate their growth not just in height, but also laterally, thanks to horizontal wires placed one above the other. There are even 5/6 levels, which makes the structure very similar to the espaliers of a vineyard.
Among the many advantages of this type of cultivation are:

  • The excellent exposure of all parts of the plant to sunlight;
  • The excellent air circulationbetween the leaves, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases by reducing humidity;
  • The undoubted facilitation of manual harvestingof the tomatoes, which is visible and accessible;
  • The obvious optimization of the available space, which is used vertically: this allows a considerable density of plants per hectare;

The neat rows of San Marzano tomato plants have become a characteristic feature of the Sarnese-Novero landscape, indicating its agricultural vocation.

The awarding of the PDO mark.

The awarding of the PDO mark.

A very special ‘terroir’ and agricultural practices handed down from generation to generation are the real secret of the quality of the San Marzano Tomato PDO, a unique and inimitable product. Such great value was recognised in 1996 with the awarding of the PDO mark (Protected Designation of Origin), which defends and guarantees the quality of one of Italy’s most celebrated agrifood excellences, while protecting its makers and consumers.

The history of San Marzano Tomato.

Fascinated by the San Marzano Tomato? You will be even more so by discovering its history, told in this article.

The San Marzano Tomato PDO.

The PDO mark of San Marzano tomato.

The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) was assigned to ‘Pomodoro San Marzano dell’agro sarnese-nocerino’ (San Marzano tomato) in 1996, in order to give legal protection to the product and its characteristics, which are closely linked to the area in which it’s grown. In this regard, it’s important to stress that the PDO does not cover the tomato itself, but the ‘processed’ one: the product resulting from the industrial treatment of the fruit (i.e. the ‘pelato’ or the ‘filletto’).

San Marzano Tomatoes.

Consortium for the Protection of the San Marzano PDO Tomato: contacts.

For those who would like further information on the San Marzano Tomato PDO, here follow some info to contact the Consortium of its most traditional producers.

Consorzio del Pomodoro San Marzano DOP.
Address: Via Lanzara, 27 – 84087 Sarno (Sa) – ITALY
Official website: www.consorziopomodorosanmarzanodop.it
Mail: info@consorziopomodorosanmarzanodop.it

The images displayed in this page belong to WebFoodCulture and to the San Marzano Tomato PDO Consortium, with the exception of:


Public Domain Images

Creative Commons Images