Cipolla bianca di Margherita

Cipolla bianca di Margherita is a fresh white bulb onion produced from local ecotypes of Allium cepa L. grown along the Adriatic coastal strip of Puglia. Four ecotypes are recognised according to harvest period. At harvest, bulbs must meet defined thresholds for soluble dry matter, total dry matter, calibre, and total reducing sugars, and must display white colour and tender, crisp consistency.

About this designation

Registered as a PGI on 21 May 2014 under file number PGI-IT-1231 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000014564), Cipolla bianca di Margherita designates a local population of Allium cepa L. bulbs produced within a delimited area along the Adriatic coast of Puglia, covering the territories of the communes of Margherita di Savoia, Zapponeta, and Manfredonia. All phases of production must take place within this area. Four local ecotypes are distinguished by harvest period: 'Marzaiola' or 'Aprilatica', 'Maggiaiola', 'Giugniese', and 'Lugliatica'. At harvest, bulbs must present soluble dry matter of 6.4 to 9.2 mg per 100 g fresh weight, dry matter of 6.2 to 8.9 g per 100 g fresh weight, a calibre of 20 mm minimum to 100 mm maximum, white colour, tender and crisp consistency, and total reducing sugars exceeding 3.8 g per 100 g fresh weight. Packaging must be carried out immediately after harvest within the delimited area; reconditioning outside that area is prohibited. Permitted pack formats include crates of 10 or 5 kg, nets of 0.5 or 1 kg, trays of 1 kg, and braids of variable weight containing at least 5 bulbs. Containers must bear the name 'Cipolla bianca di Margherita' with the IGP designation and the Union PGI symbol, together with the name and address of the producer and packager. The applicant body is the Consorzio per la valorizzazione e la tutela della Cipolla bianca di Margherita IGP.

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

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 21 May 2014 under file number PGI-IT-1231, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000014564.
• Four local ecotypes are recognised — 'Marzaiola' or 'Aprilatica', 'Maggiaiola', 'Giugniese', and 'Lugliatica' — differentiated by harvest period.
• Total reducing sugars must exceed 3.8 g per 100 g fresh weight at harvest; calibre must fall between 20 mm and 100 mm.
• All production phases and packaging must occur within the delimited area; reconditioning outside that area is prohibited.

Tasting notes

Apulian white onion from Margherita di Savoia (Foggia province). Pearly-white bulbs, crisp tender flesh, sweet-mild flavor with delicate piquancy, low pungency.

HoReCa use

Raw in salads, marinated for antipasto, used in Apulian focaccia, and in sweet-and-sour preparations.

Packaging

• crate-10kg
• mesh-bag-3kg
• mesh-bag-5kg
• retail-tray-1kg

Seasonality