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The excellent Mugello chestnut, more widely known as the marrone, has been adwarded the IGP (Protected Geographical Identification) standing by accordance with CEE n. 2081/92 regulations.
 Mugello chestnuts
The characteristics
The Mugello marrone comes from chestnut trees of a specific local variety that can be traced to the Florentine marrone family. The chestnut groves, 3,322 hectares of land, grow on hillsides that are from 300 to 900 metres above sea level, and the maximum density is 120-160 plants per hectare.
The shelled, freshly picked Mugello marrone is characterised by its medium size (no more than 80 chestnuts to a kilo). It has an oval shape, slight point with the presence of a tuft, one flat side and one markedly convex side, and a rectangular shaped, flat and lighter coloured cicatrix at the base. The pericarp (husk), which is easily removed from the episperm, is thin, reddish-brown and streaked with 25-30 slightly darker vertical lines.
The pulp of the nut, usually one per fruit, is white, crunchy and sweet tasting, and has hardly any creases. The “Marron Buono di Marradi”, is the most appreciated and renowned of them all, but other Italian varieties are also quite good, for example: the Carpinese, Fragonese, Cecio, Montanina and Reggiolana.
The history
Chestnut growing in Mugello dates back to Roman times, but it is only from the Medieval period that we find numerous documents and genuine accounts of the diffusion and importance of the groves, and in particular, the marrone. The hundred year old marrone chestnut woods in the area have been providing an important, irreplaceable source of food and revenue for the local population since the end of the 1950’s. The chestnut is, in fact, more commonly known as the “bread tree”. After a 30 year regression, during which we have witnessed a drastic decrease in the mountain population, a change in culinary tendencies, and a notable reduction of chestnut woods due to the advent and growth of cortical cancer, the 1980’s have brought with them renewed interest and the diffusion of this speciality.
Where and how they are produced
The area of production covers a part of the territory in the province of Florence, a part of Mugello, which includes the entire area of Marradi, Palazzuolo sul Senio and Dicomano, and a part of Borgo San Lorenzo, Firenzuola, Londa, Rufina, San Godenzo, Scarperia and Vicchio.
The chestnut harvest, as well as the selecting of the chestnuts, is generally done by hand in the months of October and November. They are however, calibrated using a revolving screen.
Neither phito-pharmaceuticals nor fertilizers are used during the production, and no chemicals or additives are used for the preservation. There are, however, ways to preserve the product, for example cold water baths, or first hot and then cold water baths.
After October 5, the product is put on the market in various forms: freshly picked, fresh kept, dried with the shell, dried without the shell, and chestnut flour.
CONTROL AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARRONE
"Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies" is in charge of the preservation of the product.
Consorzio Marrone del Mugello IGP was founded in 2007 and aims to promote and diffuse the IGP logo. The Consortius is made up of chestnut producers who have created a control system to guarantee the quality of the product, and to guarantee that production regulations are respected. Its office is by Comunità Montana Mugello tel. 055 8401158 Via Palmiro Togliatti, 45 - 50032 Borgo San Lorenzo
The offices of the "Chamber of Commerce" of Florence by "Ufficio Certificazione olio d’oliva e prodotti tipici" (Office for the certification of olive oil and other typical products) tel. 055 2795539/567/507 Volta dei Mercanti, 1 Florence.
ASSOCIATION “Strada del Marrone” (The Marrone-chestnut Route) of Mugello in Marradi
The Association "Strada Del Marrone" in Marradi, can be found at 1 Piazza Scalelle – Marradi, and aims to promote the value of the marrone chestnut.
Tel. 055 8042363 - 328 8127597 Fax 055 8045803
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www.stradadelmarrone.it
The association is made up of chestnut farmers that grow and sell the marrone, as well as those who offer tourists a way to acquaint themselves with all the products that derive from the chestnut and the chestnut wood.
IGP Mugello Marrone flour
 Marroni del Mugello
The characteristics
Chestnut flour is very fine. The colour may vary from pale yellow to beige or yellowish-brown depending on drying techniques. The smoky smell can be more or less perceptible. Once used to produce a mush that replaced bread in the daily diet, today this flour is used to make sweet and salty dishes. In particular, it’s used to make a great variety of sweets, cakes and biscuits.
The history
Chestnut flour, along with freshly picked and fresh kept chestnuts, has been an important part of the diet of the Florentine Apennine mountain folk for centuries. For storage, it was pressed into chests made from the sole trunk of a chestnut tree. The IGP production system is identical to the one used centuries ago and passed down through the ages.
How it is produced
The marrone chestnuts - 90 chestnuts weigh over a kilo – are dried in metati (drying room where the marroni are placed on chestnut wood mats and exposed to moderate heat) using the traditional method. The flour obtained cannot exceed 30% of the weight of the fresh product.
| AGRITURISMO LE VALLI | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 812039 Fax: +39 055 812039 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA RAFFINI ALDO | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 817018 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AGRITURISMO I MONTI | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: +39 055 8046850 - 338 2076343 - 335 8220111 Fax: +39 055 5609204 | Production and sale of ceramic and wicker objects, IGP organic marroni and marroni flour, jams, liqueurs and digestives made with medicinal herbs. At the restaurant, marroni dishes. For farmhouse guests, picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves.
| | | | AGRITURISMO BIOLOGICA CALCINAIA | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 8101029 - 339 8681129 Fax: +39 055 8101029 | Production and sale of organic chestnuts, potatos "kennebec" and red potatoes "kuroda", vegetables. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BAGGIANI NICOLETTA | Town: Vicchio Phone: +39 055 8448166 | Production and sale of apples, pears, white "kennebec" and yellow "monnalisa" and "almera" potatoes, IGP marroni, and vegetables. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA FRATELLI CARLI | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 347 2885260 | Production and sale of marroni chestnuts, blackberry jam.Picking of marroni chestnuts in october in the azienda's chestnut groves.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA BADIA DI SUSINANA | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: + 39 055 8046630/1 - 334 6557387 Fax: + 39 055 8046660 | Picking and sale of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves. Production and sale of organic apples and pears, blackberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, cereal, onions, shallots and vegetables. Picking of marroni chestnuts in october in the azienda's chestnut groves.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIANCONCINI DOMENICO | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 8101007 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA CALAMINI LEONELLA | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 8144165 - 338 3380254 | Production and sale of potatoes of the varieties "kennebec", "desiree", "almera" and marroni chestnuts. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA CAMBONCIOLO di Galeotti Giordano | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 816155 - 335 5447657 Fax: +39 055 816155 | Production and sale of IGP marroni, chestnut flour, dried chestnuts and white “kennebec”, red "desiree" and potatoes and vegetables.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA GALEOTTI ADELMO | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 816053 – 339 5977144 | Production and sale of IGP marroni, chestnut flour, dried chestnuts and white “kennebec”, red "desiree", yellow "almera" potatoes. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA LA BOSCACCIA di Cavina Giancarlo | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: + 39 338 6573129 Fax: + 39 0546 55194 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA SULPIANO PUNTERE | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045744 – 055 8045696 - 328 7977237 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIOLOGICA VIVOLI MARCELLO | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 8101017 | Production and sale of IGP marroni, chestnut flour, dried chestnuts and white “kennebec”, yellow "almera" and red "desiree" potatoes. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA BORTOLOTTI ELISA | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 0375 781806 - 333 4240560 | Production and sale of marroni IGP.Picking of marroni chestnuts in October, on Saturday and Sunday, in the azienda's chestnut groves. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA DIANI CARLO | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 8144059 - 333 2641857 | Production and sale of white “kennebec” and red “desirée” potatoes. IGP Marroni chestnuts. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA FARNE' EMANUELE | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 816042 - 347 7825398 | Production and sale of white "kennebec", red and yellow "almera" potatoes, IGP marroni, and marroni flour. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA FELICE DONATO | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8049913 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA GALEAZZI OSVALDO | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: + 39 055 8046311 - 338 8636688 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA IL POGGIOLO di Rossi Silvia | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: +39 055 416072 – 331 1089759 | Production and sale of honey (derived from flower essences, acacia, chestnut, lime, honey dew and lupinella), marroni and marroni flour. | | |
| AZIENDA AGRICOLA LUIANO | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045334 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA MALAVOLTI CAROLINA | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8044006 - 339 5402216 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA NONNI FRANCESCA | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: + 39 055 8046819 - 339 7400092 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA PIAN DELLA QUERCE | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045487 - 338 3432438 | Production and sale of IGP marroni.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA PODERE RAVALE | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 339 2180506 | Production and sale of marroni I.G.P.. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves. Camper and bus access.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA POGGIOLI DI SOTTO | Town: Marradi Phone: +39 055 8045328 – 348 8436914 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA SAMORE' GIAMPIERO | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 0546 86010 | Production of IGP marroni. Sale of marroni in Via San Cassiano, 82 - Brisighella.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA SIGNANI OLGA | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8044166 | Production and sale of IGP marroni.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA VAIURSOLE | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 335 6926512 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves. | | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA VALGIMIGLI ALESSANDRO | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045935 - 339 7897826 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Production of Brisighello DOP oil.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRICOLA VIVOLI ANDREA | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 8199016 -389 5552111 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA MARCHI | Town: Scarperia Phone: + 39 055 8495481 - 347 0111339 Fax: + 39 055 8495481 | Tasting of local products. Visit to the farm and its "Limousine" breeding. Production and sale of marmelades, marroni, marroni on rhum, chestnut flour, dried chestnuts and typical liquors, fruit in syrup and in brandy. On request, for our restaurant guests, picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA ATTULAIO | Town: Vicchio Phone: + 39 055 8493125 - 333 7965380 Fax: + 39 055 8493125 | Production and sale of IGP Mugello marrone; sale of vegetables and white "kennebec" and "monnalisa" and red "desiree" potatoes. Farmhouse guests can partecipate at the last harvesting.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA BADIA DELLA VALLE | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 804824 - 328 8127597 Fax: + 39 055 804824 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda’s chestnut groves. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA BIOLOGICA LE TARELLE | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 8149006 - 055 813523 – 339 1586047 Fax: +39 055 813523 | Production and sale of white "kennebec" potatoes, marroni, beans, onions, vegetables and nuts. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA BIOLOGICA SANVITALE | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: + 39 055 8401158 Fax: + 39 055 8401158 | Production and sale of CCPB certified organic products: different varieties of honey (derived from acacia, honey dew, flower essences and chestnut) , jams, and canned goods; IGP marrone; maize, wheat and chestnut flour; and biscuits made from the diverse types of flour. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA BONCIANI | Town: Vicchio Phone: + 39 055 8449983 - 338 4433433 Fax: + 39 055 8449983 | Production and sale of marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA LA CASETTA | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045094 - 055 8042587 Fax: + 39 055 8042587 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda’s chestnut groves. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA LA CHIESA | Town: Firenzuola Phone: +39 055 8101035 Fax: +39 055 8101035 | Production and sale of truffles and IGP marroni. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA LA FINE | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 8173307 - 333 3272043 - 339 6533855 | Production and sale of IGP marroni chestnuts. | | |
| AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA LA STAZIONE DI MONTA | Town: Vicchio Phone: +39 055 8497007 - 347 8319819 Fax: +39 055 8497007 | Production and sale of IGP marroni, marroni flour, potatoes "kennebec" and "desiree", vegetables and extravergin olive oil. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA ORTICAIA CHIESA | Town: Dicomano Phone: + 39 055 8385141 – 339 5276488 Fax: + 39 055 8385922 | Production and sale of extra-virgin olive oil, red table wine, IGP marroni, the produces of the wood and jam of currant, raspberry and blackberry. Tasting of farm products by reservation.
| | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA PIANO ROSSO VANGIOLINO | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045345 - 333 9163417 Fax: + 39 0546 621061 | Production and sale of marroni, organic vegetables, cereals, red potatoes, apples and pears. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda’s chestnut groves. | | | | AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA RIMAGGIORI | Town: Barberino di Mugello Phone: +39 055 841336 3478185934 | Production and sale of chestnuts, marroni and chestnuts flour, organic vegetables, organic cherries, wild berries, barley, spelt and hay. | | | | CASA PER FERIE COLLECCHIO | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8045974 Fax: + 39 055 8045974 | Production and sale of marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda’s chestnut groves. Groups access.
| | | | CONSORZIO PRODUTTORI MARRONI IGP ALTA VALLE SENIO | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: +39 055 8046816 - 3351231538 Fax: +39 055 8046816 | Production and on-line sale of marroni IGP of Mugello and IGP of Casola Valsenio.
| | | | Coop.va di consumo POLCANTO | Town: Borgo San Lorenzo Phone: +39 055 8409914 Fax: +39 055 8409914 | Sale of local rosato, red and white local wine, bottled and wine on tap, bread, marrone flour, Mugello truffles, fresh pasta, local tortelli, cheeses and honey. | | | | COOPERATIVA AGRICOLA DI FIRENZUOLA | Town: Firenzuola Phone: + 39 055 819341 Fax: + 39 055 8199784 | Sale of: certified Mugello meat, IGP marroni, locally produced honey, pecorino cheese and cow’s ricotta from the Agri Coop di Palazzuolo Sul Senio. Fresh ricotta cheese is available from January to June, as well as the farmer’s own pecorino cheese, wine and oil, and homebred chickens and rabbits.Home mada pasta and tipical sauces. Sale of organic products: cheese, oil, spelt, pearl barley, Mugello meat. | | | | PODERE VILLANOVA - Cooperativa Co.m.e.s. | Town: Marradi Phone: + 39 055 8042137 - 338 1933005 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. Picking of marroni chestnuts in October in the azienda's chestnut groves. | | | | SOCIETA' AGRICOLA IL MONTE | Town: Vicchio Phone: +39 055 8493016 - 328 1782824 | Production and sale of potatoes and IGP marroni. | | | | SOCIETA' AGRICOLA PIFFERI GIUSEPPE E GIANLUCA | Town: Palazzuolo sul Senio Phone: + 39 055 8046671 - 338 8036576 | Production and sale of IGP marroni. | | |
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