Castagna di Montella

Castagna di Montella is a PGI-protected chestnut produced in six communes of the Province of Avellino, Campania. At least 90% of production must derive from the Pallumina variety, with a maximum 10% from other varieties. The designation covers both fresh and dried forms, including whole shelled chestnuts and chestnut flour. All forcing practices are prohibited.

About this designation

Castagna di Montella received PGI protection on 21 June 1996 under file number PGI-IT-0309 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013130). The applicant group was the Comunità Montana Terminio Cervialto, based in the Comune di Montella, Province of Avellino. The geographical area covers the communes of Montella, Bagnoli Irpino, Cassano Irpino, Nusco, Montemarano, and Volturara Irpina, all within the Province of Avellino. The specification requires that at least 90% of production derive from the Pallumina variety, with the remaining maximum 10% permitted from other varieties, in particular the Verdola. All forcing practices are prohibited. The maximum allowable yield is 25 kg per plant and 3 tonnes per hectare. The fresh nut is described in the specification as medium-small to medium sized, mainly roundish, with a flat lower face, convex base, blunt top, short tuft, elliptical hilar cicatrix, and thin brown pericarp easily detached from the episperm. The designation also covers dried chestnuts, which must be dried on metal or grating with a slow, continuous fire fed exclusively by faggots or firewood, following traditional local methods. The moisture content of whole dried nuts or flour must not exceed 13%, and the yield in dried chestnuts with shell from 100 kg must not exceed 60%. Dried shelled chestnuts must be whole and sound, of a straw-white colour, with not more than 10% blemishes. The inspection structure named in the specification is the Ministero delle Risorse Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali Ispettorato Centrale Repressione Frodi, Rome.

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

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 21 June 1996 under file number PGI-IT-0309, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013130.
• The specification requires at least 90% Pallumina variety; the remaining maximum 10% may come from other varieties, notably Verdola.
• All forcing practices are prohibited, and the maximum yield is set at 25 kg per plant and 3 tonnes per hectare.
• Dried chestnuts must be dried exclusively by faggots or firewood using traditional local methods, with moisture content not exceeding 13%.

Tasting notes

Campanian chestnut from Montella (Avellino province), small to medium size, very sweet flesh with characteristic balanced sweet-starchy flavor, easy to peel.

HoReCa use

Castagna di Montella may be marketed fresh, dried in the shell, whole shelled, or as chestnut flour, and the specification notes its use in confectionery making.

Packaging

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

Seasonality