San Marzano tomatoes (PDO)
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PDO seal
Only with it are they genuine San Marzano from the area of origin.
Shape
Elongated and fleshy – not round like ordinary pelati.
Ingredients
Ideally just tomatoes, tomato juice and a little salt.
Whole fruit
Whole tomatoes (interi) are often higher quality than chopped ones.
Buying advice in detail
San Marzano is a tomato variety from the area around Vesuvius, known for elongated, fleshy fruit with few seeds. On cans, however, the name also appears as an advertising claim – only the seal is protected.
Reading the seal
The designation “Pomodoro S. Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino” is protected as a PDO. Cans labeled “San Marzano-style” or “San Marzano type” are not PDO products and may not claim the seal.
Whole pelati or chopped
Whole peeled tomatoes (pelati interi) can be broken up yourself and often contain fewer additives. Strained or chopped products save time but are less flexible.
Ingredient list
Tomatoes and tomato juice, at most a little salt – nothing more should be necessary. A basil leaf is common; additives such as sugar or flavorings are not a mark of quality.
Fill quantity and drained weight
Besides the total weight, the drained weight matters. It shows how much tomato and how much juice is in the can.
Can or jar
In cans, the tomatoes are well protected from light; jars let you see the fruit. For coated cans, the inner coating is approved for food.
When not to buy
- You are cooking a long-simmered sauce with plenty of spices and meat: a different, simple pelati product usually does the job just as well.
- You expect PDO quality from the name alone: without the seal on the packaging, the name is just an advertising claim.
- You rarely use canned tomatoes: an opened can keeps only briefly, so smaller sizes make more sense.
Use & care
- Do not store opened tomatoes in the metal can; transfer them to a jar or bowl, cover them and use them up quickly in the refrigerator.
- Store cans cool, dry and free of dents. Bulging or badly dented cans do not belong on your plate.
- For pizza or pasta sauce, crush the fruit by hand or blend briefly; remove the stem end and hard parts.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Italian canned tomatoes San Marzano?
No. Without the PDO seal, they are usually other varieties (pelati).
Do I have to strain them?
For smooth sauces, yes; for rustic sugo, the soft fruit can simply be crushed.
How do I recognize genuine PDO products?
By the PDO logo and the designation “Pomodoro S. Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino” on the can. The package usually also carries a mark of the consortium.
Do San Marzano tomatoes need salt or sugar?
That depends on the recipe and on taste. If you want to balance acidity, you can use a pinch of sugar if needed.
Are other pelati worse?
Not necessarily. They are other varieties with their own flavor. Good pelati can be perfectly adequate for many dishes.
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