Identikit and main features
The Cuneo pepper better known as “quadrato di Cuneo” (squared of Cuneo) has some peculiar characteristi which make it unique: the shape and the texture of the core (about 10mm) which is hard, fleshy and crispy. The berry can be yellow or red, but is always characterised by 3 or 4 lobes terminating in the pointed distal part; just in this point, where the lobes join together, the pericarp generally presents brownish bronzing shades called “baffi” (moustaches).
Area of production
The production area of the Cuneo pepper is included in the territory of the province, with the exception of the mountain regions with altitudes exceeding 680 mamsl.
History
The first historical reference dates back to 1915 when it was mentioned among the commercialised products in the “Bollettino Prezzi Mercati Città di Cuneo”. The Cuneo variety probavbly comes from a natural cross between an old native variety and the huge square shape variety of Naplesand Nocera. This crossing characterised by high genetic instability and it was initially grown in the area north of Cuneo. Here is it where horticulturists have given life to the Cuneo variety, spreading it to bordering areas and in other places in the province, in particular in the Bra area. Currently it is grown in most of the flatland of the Granda, covering an area of 450 hectares.
