Genoa Pesto World Heritage

The producers of the famous green Genoa pesto sauce have decided to apply to UNESCO in order to have pesto approved as the world’s intangible heritage.

Pesto sauce is the second most popular sauce in the world after tomato paste and ketchup. But unfortunately, there are a lot of fake pesto variations.

Very often, some other nuts are added to the sauce instead of “pinoli” pine nuts; instead of olive oil Extra Virgin some other oil is used; and other herbs are added instead of basil. It results in a roughly fake sauce that completely distorts the real pure taste.

President of the Consortium of manufacturers stated that their mission was to protect the quality of authentic pesto, which is made only in Genoa.

In Italian families, the pesto recipe has been passed down from generation to generation since the 12th century. To preserve this historical tradition, the world cup dedicated to cooking pesto in a mortar is conducted in Genoa. 100 candidates from around the world are competing in cooking the best sauce.

The next championship will be held April 16, 2016.