Sarconi PGI Beans: Where to Buy Them

The Sarconi PGI bean is the symbolic legume of the Val d'Agri , the Lucanian valley that borders the Vallo di Diano : it is grown in Sarconi and in ten other municipalities in the province of Potenza, half an hour's drive from Sala Consilina and Teggiano.

It's a product the people of Campania know well: you'll find it on the menus of many agritourisms and trattorias between the Vallo di Diano and Cilento, often alongside buffalo mozzarella from Campania . If you're planning a trip to the area, it's worth pairing it with one of the stops in our Vallo di Diano guide.

Recognized as PGI in 1996 (EC Regulation 1263/96) and protected by the Sarconi Bean Protection Consortium , founded in 1997, it is among the most popular legumes in Italy due to its quick cooking and thin skin.

In this guide you will find the real producers, the online shops where you can buy it, the festival where you can buy it at the source and tips for using it in the kitchen.

What is the Sarconi PGI bean?

The production area includes eleven municipalities in the Agri Valley: Sarconi, Grumento Nova, Marsico Nuovo, Marsicovetere, Moliterno, Montemurro, Paterno, San Martino d'Agri, Spinoso, Tramutola and Viggiano.

The soils are alluvial, sandy, rich in nitrogen and devoid of limestone, with fields located above six hundred meters above sea level. A little further west, the mountains of the Vallo di Diano begin, where you can also visit the Padula Charterhouse and the Pertosa Caves.

The secret lies in the irrigation water, light and slightly alkaline, and in the manual harvest, still mandatory today according to the regulations.

The result is a bean with tender pulp, a high content of simple sugars and little starch: it cooks in "prima acqua", much faster than common beans, without splitting and remaining digestible.

Fifteen local ecotypes fall under the PGI brand , although more than twenty are grown in the valley. Among the dwarf varieties you will find Ciuoto , Fasulo rice , Verdolino , Tabacchino and Cannellino bianco.

Among the climbing plants , San Michele , Fasuli risi , Tovagliedde , Munachedda , Nasieddu , Maruchedda and Panzaredda stand out . The Ciuoto is also called Regina, from the name of the oldest ecotype.

Each ecotype has different colors and uses: the creamy white ones with red streaks are perfect for soups and broths, while the darker varieties add body to side dishes and stews. Fasoldò , a traditional peasant bean puree, is spread on cheeses or used to enhance desserts.

Where to buy Sarconi PGI beans

The best way is to buy from producers or online shops that select Consortium members: here are the guidelines, with the pros and cons of each.

Belisario Farm, Sarconi

A small family-run business in Sarconi, in the heart of the Agri Valley. It grows its beans on the alluvial soils watered by the Sciaura River and markets a dozen ecotypes, from Fasuli Russi to Nasieddu rosso and marrone, from Munachedda rossa to Ciuoto and Tabacchino.

• Pro: Direct sales at the farm and online at fagiolibelisario.it; untreated product, chilled to -20°C for preservation; pods and dried kernels; 500-gram packs.
• Against: Seasonal availability, this year's beans sell out in winter; standard shipping times.

Reviews: On Google, the company has a 4,7-star rating with over forty reviews. Customers appreciate the consistency of the cooking and the friendly order processing.

Di Fuccio Farm, Alta Val d'Agri

A multipurpose farm in the Alta Val d'Agri, registered with the Protection Consortium with code P-03-17. It produces the Verdolino and Cannellino Rosso ecotypes , both highly digestible, and tells a story that dates back to 1776, when bean cultivation in Basilicata was already documented.

• Pro: Certified and traceable producer; Verdolino is excellent for soups and salads, and Cannellino Rosso is ideal for pasta and beans. The same company produces Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri DOC wines and olive oil, making them a perfect addition to a complete basket.
• Against: assortment limited to two ecotypes; online sales less structured than in large shops.

Reviews: Feedback points to a bean with a very thin skin and a clean flavor, also suitable for those who have digestion problems with legumes.

Lands of Basilicata, online shop

An e-commerce site specializing in Lucanian products, with a section dedicated to the Agri Valley. The Sarconi PGI bean catalog includes nine ecotypes: San Michele, Ciuoti, Tabacchino, brown and red Tuvagliedda, Nasieddu, Fasuli Risi, Verdolino, and Munachedda.

• Pro: Wide selection of ecotypes in a single order; approximate price of €7,40 per pack; free shipping for orders over €80; option to pair Senise PGI peppers with other Lucanian products.
• Against: Some varieties are sold out out of season; the site does not always indicate the producer of origin.

Reviews: Online customers praise the thoughtful packaging and fast delivery times, with orders often shipped within 24 hours.

Wezapp, the Lucanian marketplace

A Basilicata-based e-commerce platform that works with local producers in a short supply chain. On Belisario's shelves, you'll find Sarconi PGI beans in 400- and 500-gram packs, opened by hand, and the handy "Mix Sarconi PGI" box with several ecotypes to try.

• Pro: Direct support for small producers; boxes with multiple varieties to learn about them; extensive catalog featuring rare legumes such as grass peas and cuccìa lucana.
• Against: Shipping costs are reduced only with large orders; availability depends on the harvest calendar.

Reviews: Buyers appreciate the transparency about the producer and the perceived “freshly picked” quality.

Lucanian Foods, Tricarico

An online store based in Tricarico, in the province of Matera, that selects typical Lucanian products and ships throughout Europe. The Sarconi PGI bean is sold in the Fasuli Risi variety, one of the most popular ecotypes for its quick cooking.

• Pro: 24-48 hour shipping to Italy and Europe; curated selection of Lucanian delicacies; useful for those living abroad who want the flavors of home.
• Against: Reduced assortment of ecotypes; slightly higher than average price for small packages.

Reviews: Positive feedback on shipping speed and product quality, with many repeat orders from customers outside the region.

Flavors of the Sassi

This online gourmet shop features the Sarconi PGI bean among its traditional Lucanian products and in its Christmas gift baskets. It's the perfect choice if you're looking to gift a basket of Southern Italian specialties, with the bean as the savory star.

• Pro: Ready-made gift baskets featuring beans and other select products; free shipping within Italy for orders over €99; support via WhatsApp seven days a week.
• Against: It's not a manufacturer, so the margin is reflected in the price; the vast catalog can distract from a targeted purchase.

Reviews: Customers cite elegant packaging and well-selected products, ideal for Christmas gifts.

The PGI Bean Festival in Sarconi

Every year, in the second half of August, Sarconi dedicates two days to its legume: in 2026, the 45th edition was held on August 18th and 19th. It's the best opportunity to buy directly from the producers and taste the bean cooked in every way.

• Pro: Local producers' stalls offering the season's produce; a food trail featuring cavatelli and beans, pasta and beans with cruschi peppers; folk and pizzica music, seminars, and cooking demonstrations.
• Against: Crowding in the evening hours; parking must be reserved in advance; edition concentrated in two days.

Reviews: Those who have been there describe an authentic atmosphere and the opportunity to speak directly with the growers, something that isn't possible on e-commerce sites.

How to use it in the kitchen

The Sarconi PGI bean doesn't require a very long soaking: overnight in cold water is sufficient, and even less for the smaller ecotypes. They cook on their own, so keep an eye on the pot: in 60-90 minutes, the beans are ready without falling apart.

The classic use is pasta e fagioli with short pasta and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, but the legume is at its best in vegetable soups and risottos, where its fluid texture naturally binds the dish together.

In Basilicata, it's often paired with peperoni cruschi , crispy dried and fried peppers, and durum wheat bread. With buffalo mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil, it becomes a complete Mediterranean dish.

Fasoldò is made with the finest ecotypes : boil the beans, blend them with oil, salt, and a drizzle of the cooking water until they form a velvety cream. It's served as an appetizer on crostini, spread on aged cheeses, or used to enhance sauces and gravies.

The fresh pods, available in summer, are shelled and cooked like new beans, perhaps with a light sauté of garlic, cherry tomatoes, and marjoram.

Dried grains, on the other hand, should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from light and heat, and will keep well until the following season.

How to recognize the authentic Sarconi PGI bean

The PGI mark guarantees origin and processing: look for the EU logo on the packaging along with the words "Fagioli di Sarconi PGI" and the name of the producer or packager registered with the Protection Consortium.

The dried kernels are available in 250- and 500-gram cloth, paper, or plastic bags; the fresh pods, unshelled, are shipped in wooden crates marked with the company's logo.

Be wary of excessively low prices or anonymous packaging: certified beans cost a few euros more, but the difference is noticeable when cooked.

A good indicator is the appearance: PGI ecotypes have bright, uniform colors, a tight skin, and no broken kernels or impurities. On the palate, the quick cooking and thin skin are the hallmarks of an authentic product.

FAQs about the Sarconi PGI bean

Where can you buy Sarconi PGI beans? From Val d'Agri producers like Belisario and Di Fuccio, in specialized online shops (Terre di Basilicata, Wezapp, Cibi Lucani, Sapori dei Sassi), and during the Sarconi Bean Festival in August.

How much do Sarconi PGI beans cost? 500-gram packages of dried beans cost approximately €6 to €9, depending on the ecotype and the retailer. More prized varieties like Tovagliedde or Tondino can cost more.

Should Sarconi beans be soaked? Yes, soaking them overnight in cold water is recommended for the dried beans, but they still cook quicker than regular beans thanks to their low starch content.

What's the difference between Sarconi beans and regular beans? The Sarconi PGI has a thin skin, tender flesh, and cooks quickly without splitting. The specifications require manual harvesting, a limited production area, and the use of only certified local ecotypes.

Can Sarconi beans be eaten fresh? In summer, fresh pods are available for shelling, sold in wooden crates. They have a sweeter flavor and are cooked like new beans, often with a light sauté.