Castagna del Monte Amiata PGI, which has three recognized varieties: Marrone, Cecio and Bastarda Rossa, is an agro-food product of quality, characterized by strong genuineness with respect to its original features and to a deep tradition that is rooted in the selection procedure of local varieties, in particularly favourable podological and climatic conditions, as well as in the widespread use of preservation techniques and in its use in the gastronomic sector.

The production area falls entirely in the south of Tuscany, between 500 and 1100 m. above sea level, on the hillsides of Mount Amiata, where it gets its name from. Here chestnuts represent a vital economic resource, which since the origins has sustained the whole population under the name of “pan di legno” (meaning “bread made of wood”).

It is an energetic and nutritious food, with characteristics that have been extolled since 1795 with: “Soft or mature, fresh or dried, raw or cooked, reduced to flour and kneaded … they always offer a healthy product, that is pleasant to eat and that the stomach gladly holds...” (G. Santi); nowadays chestnuts are particularly recommended for people who are intolerant to gluten. They are characterized by a low glycaemic index, although they have a sweet composition and taste. This aspect is due to the presence of unsaturated fats and proteins that, in spite of being present in small amounts, carry out an important role conferring, together with sugars, the typical “roasted” or “cooked” flavour.

Production Specifications require all the phases of production to be carried out within the production area, specifying: the varieties, the production standards, the cultivation regulations, the monitoring and certifying activities, the standards for packaging and labelling. The community logo is used to identify only the fresh product which cannot be sold loose on the market.