There are hundreds of fig varieties
Many are similar in appearance and taste while others are distinctive in all respects. These differences add to the versatility of the fig.
Fig'n Delicious orchard has two varieties of what is known as the 'common fig'. These are fig trees that produce fruit without pollination and are propagated from cuttings.
The varieties in our orchard are the French Sugar, and San Piero.
These varieties were selected because firstly we wanted to harvest over a long fruiting season.
Figs have a short fruiting season so we selected one variety that fruited early, and another variety that fruited in the middle of the season. We had initially identified a third variety, the Adriatic which fruited late. But this was not a success because we don't have enough heat in the sun in April-May to produce the sugars which ripen the fig. Secondly, we wanted versatility of taste and uses amongst the varieties and we also wanted fig varieties that would adapt to the local conditions and environment.
We had initially identified a third variety, the Adriatic, which fruited late. But this was not a success because we don't have enough heat in the sun in April-May to produce the sugars which ripen the fig.
French Sugar
The origins of the French Sugar are uncertain but it is likely to have been imported from Britain by early settlers prior to the 1900s. It is a vigorous and flourishing variety with medium sized fruit. It has a green to violet skin colour.
The French Sugar has a luscious sweet amber flesh with a honeyed flavour that makes it very popular to eat fresh and in dishes.
French Sugar - fruits from mid-February to end of March
San Piero
The San Piero variety, also referred to as the Black Genoa, is common in Italy, Southern France and Spain, and in the 1900s it was introduced into California. It has a medium to large sized fruit with an oblong shaped neck.
San Piero - fruits from mid March to mid April