Division 5.3 Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

Basil is one of the most representative and typical crops of Liguria and symbolises a style of cooking using traditional flavours, resulting from the unique combination of territory, surroundings and cultivation.

‘Basilico Genovese’ has been grown for centuries and has enjoyed unprecedented popularity among consumers in Italy and beyond, who appreciate ever more the aromas contributing to flavoursome dishes and because ‘Basilico Genovese’ stands for the quality, simplicity and typical character of a region and its culture.

The original centre of production was limited to the geographical area of Genoa. Given the increasingly favourable market conditions for the large-scale consumption of basil in the preparation of many recipes and the well known pesto, the production area has widened, taking in the entire Ligurian coastline.

Starting from the area around Genoa, the area of production has expanded both eastwards and westwards, making the territory of Liguria the ideal area for obtaining a characteristic product.

The entire region of Liguria is given over to growing basil on account of its environmental, cultivation and human characteristics, which give the fresh and the processed product its unique character, which is well known and recognised all over the world.

Basil is a plant species much influenced by its environment. This explains why basil grown in Liguria distinguishes itself by its homogenous quality, determined by whether it is grown under glass or in the open, cultivation and post-harvesting processing techniques.

The combination of soil characteristics, sun exposure and the particularly mild climate of the region, a climate in which the sea breeze plays a major role, gives this production area its unique character.

In this exceptional region specific technical skills have been developed to maximise the natural characteristics of the product and ensure a high and consistent level of quality, regardless of the time of year.

The skills of local growers are not limited to the cultivation method but also cover the subsequent packing phase, enabling them to avoid any alteration to the specific characteristics of the product thanks to a perfect blend of tradition and innovation (application of integrated pest management).