Limone di Sorrento

Limone di Sorrento is a PGI-protected lemon grown on the Sorrento peninsula in Campania, Italy. The specification requires fruit weighing not less than 85 g, bright yellow peel over more than 50 % of the surface, juice yield of not less than 25 %, and juice acidity of not less than 3.5 g/100 ml. Production is confined to eight named municipalities.

About this designation

Limone di Sorrento carries PGI protection under file number PGI-IT-0098, registered at EU level on 1 June 1999 and recorded in eAmbrosia under identifier EUGI00000013309. The production area is defined as the municipalities of Vico Equense, Meta, Piano di Sorrento, Sant'Agnello, Sorrento, Massa Lubrense, Capri and Anacapri. When released for consumption, the fruit must be elliptical and symmetrical, weigh not less than 85 g, display bright yellow colouring over more than 50 % of the surface, yield juice of not less than 25 %, and show juice acidity of not less than 3.5 g/100 ml. Lemons falling below 85 g but meeting all other characteristics may be directed to processing. The specification records that plants are grown either under frames with stakes and a covering or in the shade of other plants or trees; stakes of chestnut wood are preferred, though other wood and metal alloy stakes are also permitted. The harvest may begin from 1 January. Maximum per-hectare production is set at 35 to 45 tonnes. For sale, the fruit must be released either loose with stickers on 80 % of the lemons, or in rigid containers of recyclable material with a minimum capacity of 0.5 kg and a maximum capacity of 15 kg. Packaging must display the terms 'Limone di Sorrento' and 'Indicazione geografica protetta' or the abbreviation 'I.G.P.', together with the designated logo depicting three lemons with the Sorrento coastline as far as Punta Scutolo rendered in specified Pantone colours.

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

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 1 June 1999 under file number PGI-IT-0098; eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013309.
• Fruit released for consumption must weigh not less than 85 g and show juice acidity of not less than 3.5 g/100 ml.
• Juice yield is specified at not less than 25 %; the specification records that yields from machine squeezing are always above this threshold.
• Maximum per-hectare production is set at 35 to 45 tonnes under the current specification.

Tasting notes

Campanian lemon from Sorrento peninsula, "Femminello Ovale di Sorrento" variety. Oval-elliptical shape, thick aromatic peel, juicy fragrant flesh, distinct from Amalfi-Sfusato.

HoReCa use

The geographical name 'Sorrento' may be used in the names of products processed from the lemons, provided the lemons used are exclusively Limone di Sorrento PGI, a precise weight ratio between lemons used and processed product obtained is declared, and preparation or processing takes place exclusively within the municipalities named in the specification.

Packaging

• crate-10kg
• crate-15kg
• retail-net-bag-2kg

Seasonality