Carmelina Organic Whole Peeled Tomato, 14.28 OZ

For a visual comparison of common Italian tomato varieties see some examples above. The San Marzano tomato was created in the region during the early 1900's from a cross between three tomato varieties already being grown: the King Umberto, Fiaschella, and the Fiascona varieties of tomato. An elongated shape, fewer seeds, and a pulp with excellent sweet flavor are traits imparted on the San Marzano tomato. Since its creation, the San Marzano tomato has been hybridized with traits like disease resistance and more even ripening while still retaining the original traits that make the San Marzano tomato so unique. With its high quality and use primarily for preserves, the San Marzano tomato has become big business in this region for growers and packers alike.

With the San Marzano tomato becoming very important to the local economy, the Italian growers have formed the Consorzio San Marzano to oversee the production and marketing of this tomato variety. Thus, the San Marzano tomato has been given DOP status by the European Union. The main argument for doing this is to protect the San Marzano tomato product from others using this name with different products. . Factories in the San Marzano region which market their products as DOP San Marzano must pay the Consorzio San Marzano to use 2 stamps on their labels; the EU's DOP ...