San Marzano tomato

San Marzano tomatoes ( officially Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese Nocerino DOP) are elongated tomatoes, which are also known as plum tomatoes. They are characterized by an intense and fruity aroma. They are, like all tomatoes, of the nightshade family (Solanaceae ), and are thus closely related to other edible plants such as the potato. They are often used for the production of tomato paste and ketchup.

Description

The stems of the San Marzano plant is 1.50 m to 2.00 m. The tomato plants are resistant to the relevant tomatoes diseases and are considered very strong. The fruits of the San Marzano tomatoes are firm and dark red and have few seeds. The weight of the fruit is about 90 grams and are about 12 cm long. Fruit ripening begins in late July and ends in late October. San Marzano tomatoes ripen in spurts, which is why they are harvested several times from July to October.

From this variety of tomato mostly tomato ketchup or tomato paste is produced conventionally. Because of their firm flesh it is particularly well suited as a salad tomato, as it does not dilute the salads and salad dressings also assumes good.

Origin

In the San Marzano plant is an old tomato variety from Italy, more precisely from Campania. This region is characterized by its mixed volcanic landscape between sea and mountains. The fertile volcanic soil on the edge of Vesuvius, the intense sun and the fresh sea air Campanian form the ideal climate for the growth of the San Marzano tomato. This tomato variety has a protected designation of origin.

Legend has it that the first San Marzano plants in 1770 reached Italy, as the King of Peru, they brought the King of Naples as a gift.

A few years ago, the San Marzano tomato was threatened with extinction. The reason for this is based on their delicate texture that makes an industrial processing impossible. The fruits of this tomato plant must therefore be harvested by hand very expensive. The change came with the Slow Food and since then, more and more farmers and consumers ( including chefs ) of the San Marzano.

Production

Due to their delicate nature of San Marzano tomatoes are less suitable for the longer hauls. You can, however, easily be stored because they hardly lose flavor in preservation. Therefore, these tomatoes are available in most countries in cans. Some chefs are of the opinion that San Marzano tomatoes are the only tomatoes that were to be used for a real Neapolitan pizza. Your complicated cultivation and low income levels increase the market price.

Rearing

This tomato plant can be in the house or in the seed tray, pull as well as outdoors. The tomato seeds can be sown by the end of May from end of January. The ideal temperature for germination is between 20 and 25 degrees. The tomato seeds germinate usually after about 5 or 15 days. This process can be further accelerate something when you can pre-soak the seeds overnight under certain circumstances. The small tomato plants can be planted after the last frost.