San Marzano Tomatoes: Why Are They So Special and How to Grow Them?

Distinguished by nothing but their elongated shape, San Marzano Tomatoes are a rare breed of plump tomatoes. Considered a prized asset in its place of origination, Campania region in Italy, these breed of tomatoes are known distinctly for their sweet flavor and thick flesh.

Known to contain fewer seeds and lower water content than any other breed of Tomatoes, these variants of tomatoes have found a huge craze in the canned Tomatoes space worldwide, especially in the making of delicious pizza sauces.

You can also choose to use Marzano Tomatoes whole in rich Tomato Pasta, as shown in the Vlogs of celebrity chefs around the world.

These tomatoes are a pure-blood ancient heirloom variety, which has been aptly put to use in Italian Cuisine for centuries. It’s perhaps noteworthy that the first culinary appearance of San Marzano dates back to 1692 when it first appeared in a local Italian cookbook, as a base for a local sauce recipe.

The oblong shape and pointed ends of San Marzano tomatoes can quickly help you identify this specific fruit.

What’s so special about San Marzano?

The tomatoes have made their way to the kitchen primarily because they are particularly fleshy, meaning in the absence of seeds, canning and storing them is a cakewalk.

In addition, the tomatoes possess a strong yet sweet flavor, which is way less acidic than any other breed of tomatoes available in the market— an attribute that adds to the taste of your homemade pasta, or Deli Pizza.

Origination of San Marzano and How It’s Different From Other Canned Options

San Marzano tomatoes are not just a tomato but part of its name also denotes a region in Italy. This type of tomato is what is best known as a “plum tomato”. Yet, unlike typical plum tomatoes, in terms of shape, they are much longer and thinner, making them stand apart from the rest of the pack in appearance too!

Given these tomatoes are most suited for warm climatic conditions, Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy is most suitable to grow them, as the neighborhood is rich in Volcanic soil, thanks to Mount Vesuvius, which supplies the tomatoes with all of the essential nutrients they are bestowed with.

Additionally, the area has a high water table, meaning unrestricted water supply to the plants throughout the year supports and preserves the growth of the plants, as well as the richness of the tomatoes it bears with distinct taste.

The tomatoes are grown following traditional methods.

As the seedlings mature, the plants get moved to the field, where they are hand-tied and placed to wooden polls. As San Marzano tomatoes are vine-ripened, they are taken to the processing unit for steam peeling, before being canned for your usage throughout the year.

How is San Marzano different from other canned tomato varieties?

These tomatoes are harvested at peak flavor, and then roasted over an open flame, accentuating their sweet flavor, which is distinctly different from any other canned tomato versions available anywhere.

Just like not all canned tomatoes that are imported from Italy are San Marzano, some San Marzano tomatoes are locally grown outside of Italy as well. For instance, these tomatoes can be grown in certain warmer parts of the United States too, given San Marzano seeds are readily available in the market.

How to Tell If Tomatoes Are San Marzano?

We all know that when it comes right down to it, San Marzano tomatoes are the true champions, out of all other tomato variants.

It’s important to know that canned San Marzano is to be trusted as per their DOP mark. Except for canning, the other tomatoes, which are either filets or whole – technically, get sold in jars that come with labels such as the following:

• Pureed
• Diced
• Chopped
• Sauced
• Organic
• Fraudulent

When you are looking at the can, you should be looking out for the words “Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Ago Sarnese Nocerino D.O.P.

The part D.O.P. stands for Denominazione d’Origine Protetta, which when translated into English, stands for “Protected designation of Origin”

The real canned D.O.P San Marzano Tomatoes will have proper labeling on the can which is to be found on the bottom right and the bottom left of the label on the can. If you look closely, you are to encounter proper designations on the bottom left of the can, while the D.O.P. symbol should be placed on the bottom right.

It’s perhaps mention-worthy that a recently filed suit in New York against Cento’s yield of San Marzano Tomatoes claims the producer cannot produce as many authentic San Marzano as it advertises, wherein another similar suit filed in the state of California alleges that some of the imported cans of tomatoes lack certain proper labeling, which makes them authentic.

The bottom line is you always need to be on your toes, looking out for the labels when you go out to buy canned San Marzano Tomatoes.

How to grow San Marzano tomatoes in pots?

It’s a simple process!

The first part requires you to fill in 1/3 of the pot with nothing but soil. That done, we cover the seedlings again with soil in such a way that the leaves are only 1/2 inch below the topmost part of the pot.

Next, we slowly tap the soil down using our fingers. As the seedlings mature and grow, we need to be watering the plant in such a way that the top inch of the soil on the pot is never left dry.

And the process mandates that you only buy containers that are able to hold up to four to five gallons of water, which is what you will need to sustain the growth of a single Marzano plant.

Additionally, the potted plants will also require more regular and consistent watering than plants grown in the ground, or, for the matter, in raised beds, since the roots of the plant in a pot won’t be able to seek water from any other external resources outside the container.

And you’ll also need to place a stake in the pot so the plant can curl up. The seeds, at the optimal temperature of 25-35 Degrees Celsius (77-95 Degrees Fahrenheit, should start germinating as early as one week to maximum of two weeks.

What’s the best fertilizer for San Marzano Tomatoes?

As far as the use of fertilizers is concerned, you are advised to use any fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of around 5-10-10. You shouldn’t be using nitrogen fertilizers as they rob the lush plants of fruits— the treasure you cannot afford to miss. If you’re growing San Marzano in containers, you can use water-soluble fertilizers.

Next, soil. You should ensure rich soil for San Marzano plants which requires you to mix 2/3 organic high quality soil and 1/3 organic matter. Alternatively, you can use 1/2 top regular soil and 1/2 organic matter in the form of manure, peat moss, or compost. You are also advised to mix a couple cups of garden lime per container of 10-gallons.

How to grow San Marzano tomatoes from seeds?

Placing the pots or trays holding the plant on a heating mat is advised to maintain a consistent soil temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-27˚ Celsius). It’s also recommended to keep the soil generally moist, but far from being waterlogged.

When to Plant San Marzano Tomatoes?

It’s recommended that the planting of San Marzano is done in the early to mid May, when the chances of frost have long gone and the soil has had a chance to warm. While tomatoes are known to love sunlight, as a warm season plant, it has a non-negotiable apathy towards frost or chilly temperatures.

So if you can source a plant from a local garden center, you would want to sow the San Marzano tomato seeds 8 weeks after the last frost date, and a little earlier than any other breed of tomatoes.

If you live in a short-season climate, starting early is a really good idea.

Are you wondering if San Marzano tomatoes are determinate or indeterminate?

The answer is yes, they are indeterminate— just like their Roma, Rutgers and Celebrity clan of tomatoes, which otherwise means that the San Marzano plants will continue to produce fruits throughout the season.

The tomatoes are also part of heirloom variety, meaning once the season’s harvest is over, you can plant new seeds again. There’s no waiting time in between!

What is San Marzano tomato plant height?

These tomato plants typically range from 6 to 8 feet, depending on the variety and can spread up to 24-36 inches.

Growing San Marzano: Pruning, Training, Average Height, And Disease Resistance

You may be surprised to know that these tomatoes grow in what’s known as “clusters” of 6 to 8. And each tomato can reach up to being 4 inches long. As far as San Marzano’s tomato yield per yard goes, a grown up plant can hold up to 100 tomatoes—each weighing about 4 Oz.

The plant will likely keep growing and producing fruit until the frost kills it.

 There are a wide variety of different characteristics of each tomato, which is discussed below:

• San Marsano Redorta is small in size. It’s way more delicate, and is known for its lovely flavor and how thin its skin is.

• San Marzano nano is more of a mini variety that is excellent for smaller gardens.

• Super Marzano is a newer hybrid that is known for its high yield and ability to resist disease.

As you can see, there aren’t many problems growing San Marzano tomatoes.

In fact, planting these tomatoes in containers or pots gives you way more control over the environment the tomatoes grow in. The downside is the harder time you will have pruning Marzano tomatoes, before being able to harvest them. However, pruning Marzano plants only involves the rightful practice of cutting off ill or broken stems. Don’t prune San Marzano plants too much or too often!

If your garden’s soil has issues around Fusarium Wilt, or Verticillium you might want to consider planting your San Marzanos in large containers with a specific salt mix. While these tomatoes are not disease-resistant they are not bred to be susceptible either— so we can term San Marzano Tomatoes diseases resistance as average.

What is a common pest problem for San Marzano tomato plant?

Common pests that can be seen thronging around the San Marzano plants include flea, Aphids, thrips, hornworms, cutworms, and whiteflies.

Should You Buy San Marzano Tomatoes?

The inflation rates increased the prices of even comment food like tomatoes in almost all countries. It’s highly advisable to grow your own San Marzano tomatoes instead of buying them.

However, if that’s not possible for you, you can always purchase them.

The importance of using a high quality tomato assumes interest when you need all-day simmered pizza sauce or red sauce— where the quality of the tomatoes are to play the lead role. And you cannot go wrong with using San Marzano as there’s no higher quality of tomatoes available around the world than a San Marzano.

The plum tomatoes genre, in general, are known to produce great sauces, and San Marzano, tops the list with distinction. They are also an excellent variety for drying.

Are San Marzano tomatoes hard to grow?

Not at all! In the right care and conditions, San Marzano grows quite rapidly and vigorously. And given the fruits will ripen or in other words, be ready to be harvested within 70-90 days of seedling, the cycle of reaping the fruits of good work won’t be too far out.

Are San Marzano Tomatoes Different From Other Canned Varieties?

The answer is a thumping yes. It’s the highest standard of tomato that is plum, yet has fewer seeds, and more of flesh and texture, along with a tangible sweetness in taste that adds into the flavor of the sauces and dishes where it is used.

And the highest pricing tag of the San Marzano tomatoes can be, by far, justified by the richness of its taste, context, and flavor the tomatoes add to any dish— pasta and pizza included.

How to Cook With San Marzano Tomatoes?

San Marzano tomatoes are vastly used by top chefs, Italian households, and culinary experts who think they know everything about food. While there are many ways to use Marzano tomatoes, the most talked-about dish made out of it is called  “San Marzano Marinara.”—- a gluten-free and vegan tomato sauce which is known and vetted by culinary experts to complement everyday dietary needs of your family.

In short, you cannot go wrong with opting for San Marzano canned tomatoes.

On the other hand, because of the sweetness of the plum, some food enthusiasts also combine the tomatoes with mozzarella cheese in the making of Margherita Pizza. There practically isn’t a limit to what you can do to sauce recipes with San Marzano tomatoes.

Bottom Line

San Marzano tomatoes are a class apart.

Apart from being the lead on great pizza sauces as well as fantastic pasta sauces, you can never go wrong in using these tomatoes in the making of rich curry sauces. These flavor-packed tomatoes are an awesome complement to seafood stews, to be flavored with a touch of Paprika. Because of its thick texture, some food bloggers have reportedly used it on chilled Gazpacho soup, with amazing results.

Given the local Italian government rule that ensures only 80% of the farmer’s yield can be used, inferior San Marzano tomatoes never make it to the market, or get passed along to the consumer. These rules, coupled with the very small growing region, attributes to the growing surge in the demand of San Marzano tomatoes worldwide.