Few ingredients are as closely associated with authentic Italian cooking as the San Marzano tomato. Known for its naturally sweet flavor, low acidity, and meaty texture, the San Marzano tomato has earned a reputation as one of the finest cooking tomatoes in the world. Grown in the fertile volcanic soil surrounding Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy, these tomatoes have become the gold standard for pizza sauces, pasta dishes, and countless traditional Italian recipes.
True San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the Agro Sarnese Nocerino region of Campania, Italy. This area sits near Mount Vesuvius, where centuries of volcanic activity have created nutrient-rich soil unlike anywhere else in the world.
The combination of fertile earth, warm Mediterranean sunshine, and generations of farming expertise creates ideal growing conditions that contribute to the tomato’s signature flavor profile. These conditions cannot be replicated elsewhere, making the region an essential part of what makes San Marzano tomatoes unique.
Unlike many common tomato varieties, San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their unique balance of sweetness and acidity. Their elongated shape, firm flesh, and lower seed count make them ideal for cooking, creating rich sauces with a smooth texture and deep tomato flavor.
Chefs and home cooks alike appreciate that San Marzano tomatoes require very little preparation. Whether crushed by hand for a rustic pizza sauce or simmered into a traditional marinara, they deliver authentic Italian flavor with minimal effort.
Every San Marzano tomato follows a carefully monitored journey from planting to packaging. Seeds are nurtured in greenhouses before being transferred to the fields where they grow to full maturity. Once vine-ripened, the tomatoes are harvested by hand at peak freshness.
After harvesting, the tomatoes are inspected, sorted, and steam peeled before being packed and preserved. This process helps maintain the integrity of the fruit while locking in the fresh flavor that consumers expect from premium San Marzano tomatoes.
San Marzano tomatoes have been cultivated in southern Italy for generations. Farmers continue many traditional growing practices that have been passed down through the years, carefully tending the plants throughout the growing season to ensure consistent quality.
The tomatoes are typically supported by hand-tied stakes, allowing the fruit to mature properly while maximizing exposure to sunlight. This attention to detail helps produce the firm, flavorful tomatoes that have made San Marzano a staple of Italian cuisine.
Not every tomato labeled “San Marzano” meets the same standards. Certified San Marzano tomatoes are grown within designated regions of Italy and must meet strict requirements regarding cultivation, harvesting, and processing.
These standards help preserve the authenticity and quality that have made San Marzano tomatoes famous around the world. By choosing certified products, consumers can be confident they are experiencing the genuine flavor and heritage of one of Italy’s most celebrated ingredients.
We partner with leading certification organizations to validate responsible sourcing practices and ensure full traceability throughout our supply chain. By connecting products to verified data, we provide transparency, strengthen trust, and uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity.
PAC, or Product Attribute Certification, was created to verify traceability and sustainability standards and practices. Our mission is to certify the geographical connection of attributes to products, providing transparency and promoting consumer confidence.
Trace Register allows us to electronically connect lot data with products, certifying traceability standards. Consumers can trace their Cento Tuna cans back to the boat where their tuna was caught.
Certified by an independent E.U. approved US accepted third-party agency under UNI EN ISO 22005:20008 for supply chain and product traceability. ISO is an independent, non-governmental organization
From seed to shelf, our San Marzano tomatoes are monitored and held to the highest of our standards. Each can comes stamped with a “lot code” on the lid, as well as a best before date. These lot codes allow us to trace every can to the farm where the tomatoes were picked to ensure that each crop is up to our high standards. If you’re interested in which of our farms your can of tomatoes came from, click the button below to trace your can!
Great pizza starts with quality ingredients and a well-made dough, but there’s always more to learn. Discover what makes Italian pizza dough unique and explore the many ways a single dough ball can be transformed into your favorite homemade creations.
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regarding a product, please refer to the product’s packaging.
