Top San Marzano Tomato Brands: Flavor Enthusiast's Favorites

San Marzano tomatoes are often hailed as the crème de la crème of canned tomatoes, revered for their rich flavor and meaty texture, making them a staple in authentic Italian cooking. When shopping for these prized tomatoes, selecting a reputable brand can make all the difference in elevating your culinary creations. In this article, we will explore some of the best brands that offer genuine San Marzano tomatoes, each known for their commitment to quality and authenticity. To discover which brands stand out and why they are favored by chefs worldwide, read on below.

Illustration of san marzano tomatoes

Best brands of san marzano tomatoes in 2025

Cento

Cento Fine Foods is renowned for its high-quality San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy, known for its rich volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius. These tomatoes are certified by an EU-approved, independent third-party agency, Agri-Cert, ensuring they meet strict quality standards. Cento's San Marzano tomatoes are distinguished by their low acidity and sweet flavor, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks. The company boasts full traceability, sustainability, and transparency, with initiatives like Find My Field and PAC Traceability, allowing consumers to pinpoint the exact field where the tomatoes were grown. Despite a lawsuit in 2019 alleging misrepresentation, Cento firmly refutes these claims, emphasizing their commitment to quality and integrity.

San Marzano

San Marzano tomatoes, particularly those from the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese region, are renowned for their high quality and unique characteristics, such as more tomato flesh, fewer seeds, and lower water content, making them ideal for cooking sauces. The DOP certification ensures these tomatoes are grown in a specific geographic area, harvested by hand between July 30 and September 30, and ripen naturally, contributing to their premium price. The United States is the main export market, accounting for 80% of San Marzano tomato exports, with a significant value of 4.6 million euros in 2021. The production volume stands at 20,000 tons per year, and the Nocera district, where these tomatoes are primarily produced, generated about 1.4 billion euros in exports in 2022. The strict regulations and labor-intensive harvesting process enhance the quality and flavor of these tomatoes.

Mutti

Mutti is a leading producer of San Marzano tomatoes, renowned for their high quality and distinct flavor profile. Grown in the Italian Agro Sarnese Nocerino region, these tomatoes hold Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring their authenticity and unique taste. Mutti's commitment to sustainability is evident through their collaboration with WWF Italy, resulting in significant water savings (over 1000 million liters between 2012 and 2014) and CO2 reduction (31530 tons avoided between 2010 and 2015). The company's market dominance is highlighted by its 33.7% market share in Italy and 15% in Europe, with exports accounting for 51% of their sales in 2022. Mutti's products are available in about 100 countries worldwide, solidifying their global presence.

La Valle

La Valle Foods is renowned for its high-quality San Marzano tomatoes, bringing genuine Italian flavor to tables worldwide for over seven decades. Their San Marzano DOP plum tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil of the Campania region near Mt. Vesuvius, are prized for their sweet taste, robust flavor, and ideal texture for sauces. These tomatoes are harvested at the height of maturity and preserved according to traditional methods, making them a favorite among leading chefs. La Valle's commitment to quality and tradition has earned them a significant place in the global market, particularly in the Mediterranean diet. With a rich history spanning four generations, La Valle continues to expand its product line to include other nutritious vegetables and olive oil.

Mastro

Mastroberardino, although primarily known for its wine production, is often associated with the high standards of Italian agriculture, which includes the cultivation of San Marzano tomatoes. These tomatoes, grown in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region near Mount Vesuvius, are renowned for their sweet and slightly acidic flavor, thanks to the unique volcanic soil. The region's producers, including those affiliated with Mastroberardino's agricultural practices, adhere to strict DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) standards, ensuring the tomatoes meet specific quality criteria. The United States is the main export market for these tomatoes, accounting for 80% of the market, with exports valued at 4.6 million in 2021. The sustainable farming practices, such as those promoted by Mutti in cooperation with WWF Italy, further enhance the quality and environmental stewardship of these products.

Gustarosso

Gustarosso is renowned as one of the top producers of San Marzano tomatoes, known for their exceptional flavor and texture. These tomatoes are grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius, a region that provides ideal growing conditions, and are certified with the DOP (Denominazione d'Origine Protetta) label to ensure authenticity. Gustarosso's San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their sweet taste, low acidity, and firm flesh, making them a favorite among chefs worldwide. The brand is part of a larger industry that saw significant growth, with the Nocera district, where Gustarosso operates, generating about 1.4 billion euros in exports in 2022, a 25% increase from the previous year. Gustarosso's products are available in various sizes and packaging, including 400gr and 800gr cans, and are highly regarded for their quality and traceability.

Bianco DiNapoli

Bianco DiNapoli is renowned for producing some of the best organic tomatoes, often compared to the esteemed San Marzano variety. These tomatoes are organically grown in Northern California, benefiting from long summer days and fertile soil, which enhances their natural sweetness and acidity. Hand-selected to ensure optimal ripeness, Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes are steam-peeled and packed with fresh organic basil and a touch of Pacific sea salt, adding to their rich flavor profile. After seven years of development, this brand has garnered rave reviews, including being named the #1 canned tomato by the New York Times. Their commitment to transparency and great flavor has made them a favorite among top chefs and food enthusiasts.

Strianese

Strianese is renowned as one of the best producers of San Marzano tomatoes, particularly noted for their high-quality DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) and organic products. These tomatoes are grown in the rich volcanic soils of the San Marzano Valley outside of Naples, Italy, and are characterized by their deep red color, sweet taste, and very low acidity. The company's products are highly regarded for making excellent tomato sauce, with the tomatoes often packed with a single basil leaf for added flavor. It is important to note that authentic San Marzano tomatoes must adhere to strict labeling criteria, including the "Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese Nocerino D.O.P." designation and the symbol of the Consorzio. Despite the prevalence of fake San Marzano tomatoes, with up to 95% of those in America being non-authentic, Strianese ensures compliance with these standards.

Pastene

Pastene, though not as widely discussed as some other brands, is recognized for its high-quality San Marzano tomatoes, adhering to the strict DOP (Denominazione d'Origine Protetta) certification standards. These tomatoes are grown in the specific Agro Nocerino-Sarnese region of Campania, Italy, known for its ideal climate and mineral-rich volcanic soils, resulting in sweeter and less acidic tomatoes. The harvest is done exclusively by hand between July 30 and September 30, ensuring peak ripeness and quality. The DOP regulations also limit the maximum yield to 80 tons per hectare to prevent overfarming. This meticulous process contributes to the premium quality and price of San Marzano tomatoes.

Carmelina ‘e San Marzano®

Carmelina 'e San Marzano(r) is renowned for producing authentic and high-quality San Marzano tomatoes, adhering to strict quality and production standards set by the Italian San Marzano Consortium and the European Union. These tomatoes are grown in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region between Salerno and Naples, Italy, and are characterized by their sweet flavor, low acidity, and meatier pulp. Each can is stamped with the European Union D.O.P. and Italian San Marzano Consortium seals, ensuring authenticity and traceability. Carmelina 'e San Marzano(r) tomatoes are free from added preservatives, salt, and sugar, making them ideal for various Italian dishes. The brand's commitment to quality is reflected in their gluten-free and Kosher-certified products.