The Carmagnola Pepper Fair celebrates the yellow gold of Piedmont, something other than truffles. Even if many people think they cannot digest it, it is a true excellence of the province of Turin which boasts the quality mark of the Carmagnola Pepper Consortium and the recognition as a Traditional Agri-food Product (PAT) by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry. In the village they are so proud of it that they have made it a tourist attraction.

All about pepper

Pepper is not a native Italian plant. Together with tomatoes, potatoes and beans, it comes from the Americas and has found fertile ground for cultivation in our country. The Carmagnola pepper is particularly prized for its thick pulp, sweet flavor and high vitamin C content. It is cultivated according to rigorous methods that today we consider traditional; although the pepper plant only arrived in Carmagnola from Peru at the beginning of the twentieth century. The credit goes to a farsighted horticulturist from Borgo Salsasio, Domenico Ferrero, who introduced it on an experimental basis to give life to what is today a fundamental resource for agriculture and the local economy. So much so that since 1949 it has been celebrated with a legendary festival.

The end of summer fair

The Carmagnola National Pepper Fair attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year and represents a point of reference for lovers of good food, local producers and agriculture enthusiasts. For 14 years it has been recognized as a national level trade fair, standing out as one of the most prestigious in the food and wine sector and the largest in Italy dedicated to an agricultural product. The 75th edition will be celebrated in 2024 from August 30th to September 8th. Over the years the numbers speak of 10 thousand square meters of extension, 8 dedicated squares, 6 of which are food and wine, 2500 seats and over 200 exhibitors, 300 thousand visitors and 25 thousand spectators at the Il Foro Festival events. The peppers sold are approximately 120 thousand kg. For ten days, in fact, gastronomic events are planned with typical dishes and experiments, cultural and artistic events, shows and concerts. The fair is growing and in fact for the first time this year its organization has been entrusted to SGP Grandi Eventi which already deals with territorial marketing events such as Festa del Torrone in Cremona, Sciocolà in Modena and many others. The idea of ​​the Municipal Administration of Carmagnola is to make it a Fair of international importance, in the footsteps of other successful events such as the Alba Truffle Fair or the Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Lo Capo.

Pepper Day

The busiest day will have been Peperone Day Sunday 1 September where restaurants will offer a pepper-based menu and the best pepper will be awarded. The program also includes initiatives such as the Pepper Trial: a talk show-style event that will see the stage transform into a real courtroom, complete with judge, defense team, prosecutor and witnesses for the parties. Will the Carmagnola pepper be acquitted or convicted of the charges brought against it? We will find out on Saturday, September 7.