Carciofo di Paestum

Carciofo di Paestum is a PGI covering heads of the Romanesco artichoke biotype known as Tondo di Paestum, grown in a defined area of the Province of Salerno. The designation is distinguished by early maturity, allowing marketing from February, and by subspherical, compact heads with green colour and pink-violet shading, produced under a regulated cultivation and harvesting regime on the Sele plain.

About this designation

Carciofo di Paestum PGI, registered under file number PGI-IT-0226 and granted EU protection on 11 February 2002, covers heads of biotypes of the Romanesco artichoke, also known as Tondo di Paestum, produced within a defined part of the Province of Salerno. The production area encompasses the municipalities of Agropoli, Albanella, Altavilla Silentina, Battipaglia, Bellizzi, Campagna, Capaccio, Cicerale, Eboli, Giungano, Monteccorvino Pugliano, Ogliastro Cilento, Pontecagnano Faiano and Serre. Heads must be medium-sized, with a maximum transverse diameter of between 8,5 and 10,5 cm and a maximum longitudinal diameter of between 7,5 and 12,5 cm, and stalks must be less than 10 cm long. Transplanting is permitted between 15 July and 31 August using balled seedlings, or between 1 September and 30 September using carducci taken from mother plants. Artichoke fields are kept in production for no more than three years, and maximum production is 50 000 heads per hectare. Harvesting takes place between 1 February and 20 May. Sorting, grading and washing must be carried out at facilities located within the production municipalities. Where not marketed immediately, artichokes may be stored at a controlled temperature of a maximum of 4 °C for no more than 72 hours. The inspection body named in the specification is IS.ME.CERT., headquartered in Napoli. Packaging must carry the name Carciofo di Paestum, the designation Indicazione Geografica Protetta or the initials I.G.P., and the product logo, which depicts the Temple of Poseidon at Paestum.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 11 February 2002 under file number PGI-IT-0226, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013533.
• The specification permits harvesting only between 1 February and 20 May, making Carciofo di Paestum the earliest-maturing Romanesco artichoke to reach market.
• Maximum production is set at 50 000 heads per hectare, and artichoke fields may remain in production for no more than three years.
• Heads must have a maximum transverse diameter of between 8,5 and 10,5 cm and stalks must be less than 10 cm long.

Tasting notes

Campanian artichoke from Paestum plain (Salerno province), Tondo di Paestum variety. Round green-violet heads, tender heart, sweet flavor with delicate bitter notes.

HoReCa use

Campanian preparations — alla romana (braised with mint), grilled, in pasta and seafood preparations.

Packaging

• crate-5kg
• retail-bunch-500g

Seasonality