Limone Femminello del Gargano

A PGI covering fresh lemons of the Femminello del Gargano designation, produced in the municipalities of Vico del Gargano, Ischitella, and Rodi Garganico in the province of Foggia, Apulia. Two varieties are recognised: the soft-rind lustrino and the oblong fusillo. Harvesting is manual, artificial ripening is prohibited, and packing must take place within the defined production area.

About this designation

Limone Femminello del Gargano is registered as a PGI under file number PGI-IT-0297, with EU protection granted on 10 June 2003. The designation covers fresh fruit of the species Citrus limonium in two permitted varieties: the femminello comune, known as lustrino (Citrus limonium tenue R.), which has a soft rind and roundish shape, and the oblong variety, known as fusillo (Citrus limonium oblungum R.). The lustrino must have a minimum diameter of 50 mm at the centre and weigh at least 80 g; its juice accounts for 35 % of the fruit's weight and has an acidity level of at least 3.5 per 100 ml. The fusillo must have a minimum diameter of 60 mm and weigh at least 100 g; its juice accounts for 30 % of the fruit's weight with an acidity level of at least 3.5 per 100 ml. Both varieties must contain 8 to 11 segments. The production area is confined to the municipalities of Vico del Gargano, Ischitella, and Rodi Garganico in the province of Foggia. Rootstock is exclusively melangolo (citrus mearda). Grove density is between 250 and 400 trees per hectare, and production must not exceed 35 tonnes per hectare. Harvesting is manual, using scissors, and artificial ripening is prohibited. Packing takes place solely within the defined production area. At least 80 % of fruit must carry the mark 'PGI — Limone Femminello del Gargano'. The inspection body is an appointed public authority.

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

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 10 June 2003 under file number PGI-IT-0297 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013459).
• The specification permits no rootstock other than melangolo (citrus mearda), certified under applicable legislation.
• Artificial ripening of the fruit is prohibited; harvesting is manual, using scissors, and takes place all year round.
• Production must not exceed 35 tonnes per hectare, and grove density must be between 250 and 400 trees per hectare.

Tasting notes

Apulian lemon from Gargano peninsula. Bright yellow, juicy aromatic flesh, traditional cultivar.

HoReCa use

Apulian seafood, fresh juice, Gargano-region pastry, limoncello.

Packaging

• crate-10kg
• retail-net-bag-2kg

Seasonality