What Makes San Marzano Tomatoes So Unique?

by Tonya Callison Author

Have you ever tried San Marzano tomatoes? They are known as the Ferrari or Prada of canned tomato varieties, and fans say the higher price tag is well worth it when compared to other canned Italian tomatoes or domestically produced canned tomatoes. There has recently been some controversy surrounding this famous Italian food product, so we set out to discover why San Marzano tomatoes are so popular and whether they are as good as fans believe.

San Marzano tomatoes are a type of plum tomato with an elongated shape. They are highly valued in Italy and throughout the world for their thick flesh and sweet flavour. The tomatoes also have less water and fewer seeds than other varieties, making them ideal for canning and using whole in rich tomato pasta and pizza sauces.

What Makes San Marzano Tomatoes Unique from Other Canned Tomatoes?

San Marzano is both a tomato variety and an Italian region. The San Marzano tomato is a type of plum tomato that is longer and thinner than the typical plum tomato found in grocery stores fresh or canned. They also contain fewer seeds than regular plum tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are not found in all canned tomatoes from Italy, and to add to the confusion, San Marzano tomatoes grow outside of Italy as well. In fact, they are now grown in the United States, and their seeds are widely available, so you could grow San Marzano tomatoes in your garden.

Cans of the official DOP San Marzano tomatoes, grown in a relatively small region between Naples and Salerno, were what first piqued the interest of American chefs in San Marzano tomatoes. DOP is the Italian abbreviation for Protected Designation of Origin, which applies to foods such as Parmigiano-Reggiano and balsamic vinegar. These tomatoes are well-known for their well-balanced flavour, which combines sweetness, tomatoey intensity, and just the right amount of acid.

What Is the Difference Between San Marzano and Regular Tomatoes?

San Marzano tomatoes, like honey and olive oil, have been subjected to forgery. There are a few different aspects to this. Over time, Italian San Marzano tomatoes grown outside of the official region became available in the United States. It does not matter if they are the same variety of tomato, grown in the same soil, or canned in the same way—they are not DOP San Marzano. Several American canned tomato companies now sell domestically grown San Marzano tomatoes, which may be more affordable alternatives. You might prefer their flavour to that of DOP (or you might not).

There's also outright fraud to be aware of; shoppers are advised to look for the DOP designation on the can, which indicates the presence of the coveted tomatoes. However, there have been reports of DOP labels being placed on imported Italian tomatoes once they arrive in the United States. If DOP San Marzano tomatoes are on sale, they may not be the genuine article. If you want to try authentic San Marzano tomatoes, look for a can and use it in a favourite recipe. Then try the same recipe with a can of Italian San Marzano tomatoes grown outside of the DOP region, and then with a can of American San Marzano tomatoes.

How do you prepare San Marzano tomatoes?

·     These tomatoes are excellent for pasta and pizza sauces. Because of the dense flesh, these sauces have a fantastic thick texture with no excess water.

·   In addition, think beyond traditional pizza and pasta sauces and use your San Marzano tomatoes to make rich curry sauces.

·  These flavourful tomatoes are also delicious in paprika-flavoured Spanish seafood stews.

·    Make the most of the intense tomato flavour by serving it chilled in a refreshing and simple gazpacho soup.

CONCLUSION

San Marzano tomatoes have been granted a DOP, which specifies the specific cultivar, processing method, and growing region. San Marzano tomatoes are a must-have in the culinary world. They have a lovely, rich tomato flavour and retain high levels of juice and acidity even when cooked at high temperatures.

If you cannot find San Marzano Tomatoes or do not have time to prepare them, use Cherry Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, Sun-dried Tomatoes, or Tomato Paste instead.

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Created on Nov 14th 2022 06:54. Viewed 127 times.

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