Fake San Marzano's

[james]

Look at what I found shopping yesterday. Genuine, fake San Marzano tomatoes. The label says Pomidori Pelati, there is are six big, red plum tomato graphics that say San Marzano, and it comes in the standard 28oz size. A closer look says that is Grown Domestically in the US. No mention of the tomato type.

They were expensive and not that good.

This seems to be a case of marketing crossing the line, and going too far.

Beware. :-)

James

[PizzaArthur]

The real ones have a serial number on them. Lots of fakes out there.

[DrakeRemoray]

I have seen these at williams sonoma.

I have also seen the "La Bella San Marzano" brand of tomatoes. So though they may sell some san marzanos under that brand, not all of the tomatoes sold under that brand are san marzano...

For example here are La Bella San Marzano Cherry Tomatoes

And these do not look like San Marzano either!

San Marzano's should say DOP on the can...

Please!

[james]

Drake,

You're right. There is a govenment seal that you can see on the can, complete with a little computer stamped logo, number, etc. Here is a photo. Normally, this is the sort of thing I would not take seriously, but the quality difference between the knock-offs and the real thing is big. Some things are just worth the effort, and this is one of them.

James