When chefs throughout the world prepare authentic Italian sauce, San Marzano tomatoes are their preference. These thin, pointy, sweet plum tomatoes are essential ingredients for an authentic Pizza Napolitana, according to the Verace Pizza Napolitana Association in Naples, Italy.
San Marzano tomatoes are grown primarily in the Campania region of Italy, at the base of Mt Vesuvius, in the Agro-Nocerino area. They are cultivated in the soils of the communes of Naples, Salerno and Avellino.
These tomatoes require areas with good irrigation, and they will not thrive in hilly topography, or extreme temperatures. The soil in this area near Mt Vesuvius contains volcanic ash, phosphorous and potassium, and the climate is temperate with high humidity much of the year. Harvesting of these tomatoes begins in August and continues until the end of September or later. They are picked only after they have matured and are very ripe, and the hand picking occurs usually in the evenings when the sun is setting.
Why are San Marzano tomatoes special? What is so different about them? These tomatoes are plum tomatoes, but they are typically more slender and oblong, having a firm flesh. They have fewer seeds and less water content, as well as a lower amount of sugar and acid.
This unique characteristic, along with their intense red color and skin, which peels easily, distinguishes these from other plum style tomatoes. During cooking, the skin practically dissolves, mixing with the pulp, and contributing to the unique flavor. San Marzano sauce is thicker, with a more concentrated tomato flavor, creating a distinctive combination of both sweet and tart flavors.
Italy’s government has granted “denomination of protected origin” (DOP) status to San Marzano tomatoes, and there are strict cultivation guidelines. Requirements include that the tomatoes be grown vertically in rows, with fruit not touching the ground, and harvested by hand. They must be cultivated in the Sarnese-Nocerino area and the yield allowed per acre is also regulated. The plants are allowed to be pruned and clipped, although forcing is not allowed.
There is a consortium of manufacturers in the region which is responsible for the safeguarding of the regulatory requirements. The label must read San Marzano Tomatoes of the Sarnese-Nocerino area D.O.P, and there must be three seals of authenticity on the label. In addition, a number must be stamped on the side panel. It is illegal in Italy for a product to claim to be San Marzano tomatoes without being in compliance with these requirements.
Like other products made in Italy, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma, San Marzano tomatoes must have a DOP number or label, when canned, or else it is not authentic. Today many products exist with labels saying San Marzano tomatoes, but unless the DOP label is present, these products are not authentic San Marzano tomatoes, and you will notice a distinct difference in the taste. Some of the companies selling authentic DOP San Marzano canned tomato products in the US include Cento, Asti, Coluccio, Riga, Pastene, Rosa, Italbrand, La Fede, La Valle, Gia Russo, and DeLallo.
Most of these brands also sell Italian tomatoes that are not San Marzano. The true test of authenticity is the DOP label with the seals from Italy. Some individuals as well as commercial growers try to replicate the San Marzano tomatoes in other locations, but it is not the same. It is not just the seeds that might come from the San Marzano region, but also the actual cultivation process in the soil from that area, that combines to make the San Marzano tomato so special. This is why it is not possible to reproduce the flavor by buying San Marzano seeds from Italy and planting them at home in the USA or elsewhere. Believe me I’ve tried.
So the next time you go to Italy, and Napoli to be sure, when you order a Margherita pizza, you can be assured that it is the real deal. Enjoy and Buon appetito!
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment.
Grazie and Ciao
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Cindy Anderson
The Cento brand no longer carries the actual registration number on its cans…. At least not where I live. Are those “fake” DOP San Marzanos? I buy the Borelli brand, with all the right labeling, and the stamp and registration number proudly displayed. I’m hoping those are real! Thanks for sharing this article!
Vino Travels
Very informative! I’ve always wondered what the actual difference is. I find myself checking labels in the grocery store when they are Italian products since there are so many claiming to be originals.
What Makes San Marzano Tomatoes Special? | Serendipitous Cookery
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Andrew Petcher
Can you have them in a salad or are they just for sauce?
AmberNoora
Reblogged this on Tour Suggest and commented:
What Makes San Marzano Tomatoes Special?
margieinitaly
Thanks for sharing Amber…I’m happy you enjoyed it enough to share with your readers!! Grazie, Cara
Joe Elario
much appreciate your post .
margieinitaly
Thank you so much, Joe
karenincalabria
Very nice post. Also helpful to see the list of different San Marzano tomato brands in the US. As for fresh, I’m lucky to find an American tomato in my grocery store, no less one from Italy…
margieinitaly
Thanks Karen…It makes you really appreciate the shopping for fresh produce in Italy, especially after having lived there like you did.
Un po' di pepe
Yum, now I want a pizza Margherita! I’ve been writing about wine lately, and the same is true for grapes. You can’t take vine cuttings, plant them somewhere else and get the same results or produce vino that tastes the same. The combination of the weather, air, water, and composition of the soil-it just can’t be replicated! Salute e buon appetito! Cristina
An Englishwoman in Italy
Thanks, now I know what to ask for. Also if they are available Vesuvian fresh tomatoes are really good. It’s the volcanic soil.
margieinitaly
Yes that volcanic soil is rich and we cannot duplicate that!
margieinitaly
I couldn’t have said it better Cristina! Grazie mille
Susanna Dame Duffy
I’m so glad you reminded me of San Marzano tomatoes. How could I forget that simply beautiful taste? I googled and found that I can buy authentic DOP labelled cans here in Australia. Grazie
margieinitaly
That is wonderful news Susanna! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
Tony
Great post, and now I am hungry for a true Napolitana pizza!
margieinitaly
Me to Tony! Guess we have to make do with the best ones we find in the US until each of us makes it back to Italy!
Tony
Indeed, at least there is an authentic place here in Phoenix for me to enjoy regularly!
Maggie Rosa
Great explanation of San Marzano
tomatoes!
margieinitaly
Thank you Maggie!!! I found the research interesting
jomamahep
36 days and I’ll be on a flight headed to Naples! Cannot wait to get back there to have more of the real thing. I pretty much gorge on all things San Marzano while I’m there. 🙂
margieinitaly
Oh I am so excited for you Jo — Please think of me when you have the authentic Margherita pizza in Napoli!
Book Club Mom
Now I want to make some sauce! I’m not growing tomatoes this year but last year I grew plum tomatoes and noticed that they didn’t have as many seeds and made a better sauce. My other ones had a ridiculous amount of seeds!
margieinitaly
I’m like you Barbara..I always use the plum tomatoes too. Interesting about the seeds. Grazie for your thoughts.
Book Club Mom
I’m a novice sauce maker – but we had so many tomatoes last year we had to do something!
TravelsWithRae
Wow, good to know. Thanks for the Intel Margie. So hard to stay on top of all this, Olive oil, cheese etc…we just need to be diligent in the products we chose.
margieinitaly
Thanks Rae – Yes a lot to keep track of..Sad that there are so many fake products disguised as Made in Italy.