The Agricultural Treasures of Calabria: A Map of Regional Excellence

Calabria, a land of extraordinary natural beauty and rich traditions, is famous for the variety and quality of its agricultural products. Each area of ​​the region boasts unique excellence, the result of a favorable climate and centuries of expert cultivation. This map of Calabria highlights some of the main production areas and their most representative products, reflecting the diversity and richness of Calabria's agricultural heritage.

Santa Maria del Cedro: The Cedar

Santa Maria del Cedro, in the heart of the Riviera dei Cedri, is famous for the cultivation of cedar, an ancient and precious citrus fruit. The city hosts the Cedar Museum, dedicated to the promotion and valorisation of this fruit, a symbol of fertility and prosperity.

Diamante: The Chili Pepper

The Calabrian chili pepper, grown in different latitudes of the region, finds its capital in Diamante. Every September, the city lights up with colors and flavors with the famous Chili Pepper Festival, which celebrates this spicy spice, symbol of Calabrian cuisine.

Corigliano Rossano: The Clementines

Corigliano Rossano clementines are renowned for their sweet and juicy flavour. Cultivated in the fertile plains of this area, these clementines are distinguished by their thin skin and the absence of seeds, making them an excellent PGI product.

The Crotonese: The Tomatoes

In the Crotone area, the warm sun and fertile soil create the ideal conditions for growing tomatoes with a sweet and intense flavour. These tomatoes are perfect for the preparation of sauces and preserves that enhance the Calabrian culinary tradition.

Calabrian Apennines: The Mushrooms

The Calabrian Apennines are a paradise for mushroom lovers. Porcini mushrooms, cockerels and drumsticks grow lush in the beech, chestnut and pine forests, and are highly appreciated for their rich and aromatic flavour, protagonists of numerous local dishes.

Pre Sila - Savuto: The Chicory

The Pre Sila hills offer the ideal environment for the cultivation of chicory. This vegetable, with a slightly bitter taste, is highly appreciated in Calabrian cuisine, used both raw and cooked to enrich traditional dishes.

Olives and Oil:

Calabrian extra virgin olive oil is renowned for its intense and fruity flavour. Derived from olives of native varieties such as Carolea, Ottobratica and Tonda di Strongoli, this oil stands out for its golden green color and its fresh scent.

Tropea: The Red Onion

Tropea is famous throughout the world for its PGI red onions, sweet and crunchy. These onions, with their elongated shape and intense red color, are a fundamental ingredient in Calabrian cuisine, used in salads, soups and other specialties.

Reggino: The Citrus Fruits

Reggino, in the far south of Calabria, is famous for its citrus fruits, including bergamot, oranges and lemons. These fruits, grown in fertile, sun-kissed soil, stand out for their intense and aromatic flavour, representing true agricultural excellence.

Before Sila and Serre: The Chestnuts

Chestnuts are widespread in the mountainous areas of Pre Sila and Serre, where they grow luxuriantly between 700 and 1100 meters above sea level. Among the most renowned varieties, ruvillise is particularly appreciated for its quality and use in numerous traditional recipes.

Credit: based on an idea by Giuseppe Scalzo.