In the ‘Basket of typical products’ promoted by the Metropolitan City of Turin, fruit plays a leading role: it is the result of a combination of climate, altitude, traditional agricultural practices, and the passion of local producers.
Fruits
Among the most significant varieties are the ancient Piedmontese apples, which include eight fruits: Grigia di Torriana, Carla, Runsè, Dominici, Magnana, Cavilla bianca, Buras and Gamba fina.
The fruit basket would not be complete without the renowned Pecetto cherries, grown in the hills of Torino and Chieri using eco-sustainable and organic fruit-growing techniques, which boast a variety of qualities such as Galucia, a dark red, large, round cherry, and Vittona della spiga, a heart-shaped cherry with a very sweet flavour. Then there is the chestnut from the Susa Valley, one of the finest chestnuts on the market, of which there are three ecotypes: the Marrone di San Giorio, the Marrone di Bruzolo and the Marrone di Meana. The chestnut from the Susa Valley is the star of a highly successful festival, which attracts around 50,000 visitors every year.
In addition, the basket also contains small fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, and wild strawberries. Given their hardiness, these species are a type of crop that allows marginal land to be put to good use. In the province of Turin, about 80% of small fruit producers are located on the slopes of mountains and in hilly areas.