Fagioli di Sarconi IGP

In the heart of the Val d'Agri, among authentic villages and landscapes shaped by time, lies one of Basilicata's most precious treasures: Fagioli di Sarconi IGP (Sarconi Beans PGI - Protected Geographical Indication). Cultivated for centuries in the Sarconi area and some neighbouring municipalities, at an altitude of over 600 metres, these legumes tell a story of patience, tradition and deep respect for nature.

Here, the abundance of clear water and the particular climatic conditions, with mild summers and significant temperature variations, allow the beans to develop a unique quality. The seeds retain a high content of simple sugars, which gives them a tender texture, a thin skin and a delicate flavour, making them unmistakable compared to any other variety. On small plots of land, still cultivated today using traditional methods, more than twenty local ecotypes grow, with evocative names such as fasuli risi, tovagliedde, rampicanti, verdolini, russi, ciuoti or regina, napulitano vasciu and napulitanu àvut', tabacchino, munachedda, San Michele, muruseddu, each an authentic expression of the territory.

Sowing takes place between spring and early summer, while harvesting, threshing and selection are carried out strictly by hand, preserving the integrity and quality of the product. This deep connection with the land led, in 1996, to the recognition of the Protected Geographical Indication, officially sealing the value and uniqueness of this extraordinary legume.

A symbol of the Mediterranean diet, Sarconi beans are not only a gastronomic excellence but also a valuable ally for well-being, rich in vegetable proteins, fibre and beneficial substances, with some ecotypes even inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Every summer, during the traditional Bean Festival, the village comes alive to celebrate this gift of the earth, offering visitors the opportunity to discover authentic flavours and experience the true soul of Basilicata.

Tasting them means bringing to the table the history of a territory where nature and tradition continue, even today, to create excellence.