The lands that constitute it and that compete for space with the surrounding hills, sloping down from the Sirino massif (2005 masl), extend flat and undulating along the path of the Sciaura: a blessed river for the quality of the water of constant flow, fresh and little calcareous, necessary for the finest bean crops, plants that need, in fact, a warm climate and lots of fresh water.

The original nucleus of the company, certainly smaller, suitable for a Curtense type economy, historically dates back to the end of the 19th century.

Only recently with his grandfather Domenico, his son Mario and then with the current operator, his grandson Domenico, did he find reasons and motivations for a production impulse that aims above all at the quality of the products grown.

Quality and variety of beans

Quality obtained through the meticulous and loving research of the finest ecotypes dating back to the ancient bean crops.

Beans, since the early 1980s, have found political attention and scientific support accredited by universities throughout Europe until the recognition, first in Basilicata, of the I.G.P. (Protected Geographical Indication). Among these we find the famous “Cannellini” and “Ciuoti”, but there are many and various ecotypes of Sarconi beans! Just as the choice among the other types of legumes is varied, from dried broad beans to cicerchie to lentils: all products of the peasant culture of the Val d’Agri located among the Lucan Apennines, a perfect area for the warm but not torrid climate and for the fresh water of the thousand streams and rivers that cross it.

Today the BELISARIO company is certified by AGROQUALITA’, a control body for PGI accredited by MIPAF.

It produces and packages 20 ecotypes of beans and legumes: seeds handed down from father to son, which, deservedly saved from a certain disappearance from the biological cycle as well as from economic and cultural memory, have been returned not only to a correct and healthy diet, but also to the pleasure and pride of savoring unique and unmistakable products.

PGI beans

Sarconi beans have been grown for centuries in a particular area of Basilicata.

The production area of the beans with Protected Geographical Indication “Fagioli di Sarconi”, includes the territories of the municipalities of the upper Val d’Agri, all in the province of Potenza: Sarconi, Grumento Nova, Marsiconuovo, Marsicovetere, Moliterno, Monomero, Paterno, San Martino d’Agri, Spinoso, Tramutola, Viggiano.

These products are characteristic because they are strongly linked to the environment of these territories, where the availability of water and the particular climatic conditions such as low summer temperatures allow the production of high quality beans, absolutely distinguishable from other existing varieties. The typical sweet taste of these beans derives from the conditions described above: these allow the seeds to maintain a significant concentration of simple sugars, which are then transformed into starch in much longer times than other varieties.

The Protected Geographical Indication “Fagioli di Sarconi” is reserved for the ecotypes of cannellino and borlotto, locally known with the names of: “Russian fasuli”, “climbing napkins”, “Russian fasuli”, “verdolini”, “napulitanu vasciu”, “napulitanu avuti”, “ciuoti o regina”, “tabacchino”, “munachedda”, “nasieddo”, “maruchedda”, “san michele”, “muruseddu”, “truchisch”, “climbing cannellino”.

The “Sarconi Beans”, with the possible specification of the name or local ecotype, can be produced as pods to be shelled fresh or fully ripe for the dry grain.