Castagna Cuneo

Castagna Cuneo is a PGI covering chestnuts of the species Castanea sativa, excluding interspecific hybrids, grown in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The designation applies to fresh chestnuts, dried shelled chestnuts, and products derived from them. The specification names the permitted varieties and excludes produce from coppices, mixed coppices, or high-growing coppices of old trees.

About this designation

Castagna Cuneo PGI is registered under file number PGI-IT-0342, with EU protection granted on 20 April 2004. The designation covers chestnuts of the species Castanea sativa, restricted to the following named varieties: Ciapastra, Tempuriva, Bracalla, Contessa, Pugnante, Sarvai d'Oca, Sarvai di Gurg, Sarvaschina, Siria, Rubiera, Marrubia, Gentile, Verdesa, Castagna della Madonna, Frattona, Gabiana, Rossastra, Crou, Garrone Rosso, Garrone Nero, Marrone di Chiusa Pesio, and Spina Lunga. Interspecific hybrids are excluded, as is produce from coppices, mixed coppices, or high-growing coppices of old trees. The production area comprises municipalities in the Province of Cuneo as defined in the product specification. Chestnut trees must be located in sunny areas sheltered from the wind. The harvest period begins in early September and ends in November. Fresh chestnuts must not display internal or external defects in more than 10% of nuts. Dry shelled chestnuts must be intact, healthy, and pale straw-coloured, with no more than 10% defective nuts and a water content not exceeding 15%. The traditional drying technique uses a low and constant heat in masonry drying chambers; the process takes on average 30 days. Sorting, sizing, treating, and conserving must be carried out within the defined geographical area. The inspection body is Istituto Nord-Ovest Qualità Soc. Coop. a r.l., based in Moretta, Cuneo. Packaging must bear the words Castagna Cuneo or Castagna Cuneo — Secca followed immediately by the wording 'Protected Geographical Indication'.

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

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 20 April 2004 under file number PGI-IT-0342, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013709.
• The specification names the permitted varieties of Castanea sativa and excludes all interspecific hybrids without exception.
• The traditional drying process for Castagna Cuneo — Secca takes on average 30 days in masonry drying chambers over a low and constant heat.
• Fresh chestnuts must not exceed a maximum of 110 achenes per kilogram as a size requirement under the specification.

Tasting notes

Piedmontese chestnut from Cuneo area, three varieties (Bracalla, Castagna della Madonna, Marrone Burnett). Large smooth dark-mahogany shell, sweet creamy starchy flesh, balanced flavor.

HoReCa use

The specification notes that Castagna Cuneo is suited for consumption fresh or processed, and references traditional preparations including boiled and roasted chestnuts, marrons glacés, chocolate-coated chestnut balls, and savoury dishes such as roast pork or venison with chestnuts.

Packaging

• crate-10kg
• crate-15kg
• vacuum-pack-cooked-500g
• frozen-peeled-1kg
• dried-1kg

Seasonality