Common Fig Varieties
1. Black Mission
- Origin: California, USA
- Description: The Black Mission fig is perhaps the most recognizable fig variety in the United States. Its deep purple to black skin is thin but sturdy, and its pinkish-red flesh is sweet, juicy, and full of flavor. This fig is commonly eaten fresh but is also perfect for drying, where its sugar content becomes more concentrated.
- Best Growing Conditions: Black Mission figs prefer warm, sunny climates and are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 7-10. It thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil and requires full sun to produce fruit.
- Uses: These figs are delicious fresh or dried and are often used in fig jam, desserts, and salads.
2. Brown Turkey
- Origin: Mediterranean Region
- Description: Brown Turkey figs have a smooth, reddish-brown skin and pinkish amber flesh. Known for their mild but sweet flavor, they are slightly less sugary than the Black Mission fig but still delicious. Brown Turkey is versatile and can be eaten fresh or dried.
- Best Growing Conditions: Prefers a warm climate with plenty of sunlight. It’s hardy to zone 6, which makes it suitable for areas with mild winters.
- Uses: This variety is often used in cooking and baking, such as in tarts, jams, or fig compotes.
3. Kadota (Dottato)
- Origin: Italy
- Description: Kadota figs are a light green variety with a soft, amber-colored interior. They are less sweet than other fig types but have a delicate, honey-like flavor. They are commonly used for canning and fig preserves because of their mild taste and firm texture.
- Best Growing Conditions: Kadota figs are well-suited for warm climates but can tolerate a range of growing conditions. They are frost-sensitive, so they thrive in USDA zones 7-9.
- Uses: Excellent for preserves, fig paste, and dried fig products.
4. Celeste (Sugar Fig)
- Origin: Southern USA
- Description: Celeste figs are small to medium-sized, with a smooth, purple-brown skin and sweet, pinkish flesh. Known as the "sugar fig" for its naturally high sugar content, it has a rich, pleasant sweetness, making it a favorite for fresh consumption.
- Best Growing Conditions: Celeste figs grow well in warm, humid climates and are cold-hardy down to zone 6. They do best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Uses: This fig is great for fresh eating but also works well in fig preserves and fig bars.
5. Adriatic
- Origin: Adriatic Region, Europe
- Description: The Adriatic fig is a pale green fig with strawberry-colored flesh that is extremely sweet when ripe. It’s one of the most popular figs for fresh consumption and is prized for its vibrant flavor and texture.
- Best Growing Conditions: Adriatic figs prefer full sun and grow best in warm, dry climates. They are commonly grown in California and Mediterranean regions.
- Uses: Ideal for fresh eating, baking, and in fig jams or fig-filled pastries.
Specialty and Lesser-Known Varieties
1. Desert King
- Origin: California, USA
- Description: Desert King figs have a greenish-yellow skin with a deep red, almost jammy flesh. They are known for being more frost-tolerant than many other fig varieties, making them ideal for growing in areas with cooler temperatures. Despite the cold, they still produce sweet, large figs.
- Best Growing Conditions: Desert King figs thrive in USDA zones 6-9 and do well in cooler climates, especially coastal areas.
- Uses: These figs are perfect for eating fresh or drying and are often used for jams.
2. Hardy Chicago
- Origin: Chicago, USA (hardy variety)
- Description: The Hardy Chicago fig is renowned for its cold tolerance and ability to survive winter temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C). It produces small, dark purple figs with a sweet, honey-like flavor. It’s an excellent choice for regions with harsh winters.
- Best Growing Conditions: Hardy to zone 5, it can tolerate much colder temperatures than other fig varieties. It needs plenty of sun and well-draining soil.
- Uses: Best for fresh eating, fig preserves, and drying.
3. Italian Honey (Lattarulla)
- Origin: Italy
- Description: This fig is known for its honey-like sweetness and mild flavor. The Italian Honey fig has a yellow-green skin and amber flesh that’s rich in sugar. This fig is a great choice for warm, dry climates.
- Best Growing Conditions: Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, it thrives in full sun and prefers hot, dry summers.
- Uses: Excellent for fresh consumption, fig tarts, or dried fig products.
4. Peter’s Honey
- Origin: Italy
- Description: Peter’s Honey figs have pale yellow-green skin with sweet, amber flesh. They are highly aromatic and known for their honey-like sweetness and smooth texture.
- Best Growing Conditions: Best grown in full sun and well-draining, fertile soil. Peter’s Honey is frost-sensitive, so it is ideal for USDA zones 8-10.
- Uses: Ideal for fresh eating, dried figs, and fig preserves.
5. LSU Purple
- Origin: Louisiana, USA (developed by Louisiana State University)
- Description: LSU Purple figs are a rich purple color, with deep red flesh and a very sweet flavor. They are disease-resistant and thrive in humid environments, making them a popular choice in southern states.
- Best Growing Conditions: These figs thrive in warm, humid climates, making them well-suited for USDA zones 8-10.
- Uses: Great for fresh eating and fig jams.
Figs for Cooler Climates
1. Hardy Chicago
- Description: The Hardy Chicago fig is one of the most popular fig trees for cooler climates. It’s known for surviving freezing temperatures and still producing sweet, edible figs. With proper winter protection, it can survive in temperatures down to 10°F.
- Best Growing Conditions: Hardy Chicago thrives in USDA zones 5-9, making it a great choice for northern regions with cold winters.
- Uses: Excellent for fresh eating and fig preserves.
2. Deseret King
- Description: Desert King figs produce large, sweet fruit even in cooler climates. They have a greenish-yellow skin and bright red flesh.
- Best Growing Conditions: Desert King figs are frost-hardy and can grow in areas with mild winters, especially in USDA zones 6-9.
- Uses: Best for eating fresh or drying.
White and Light-Skinned Figs
1. Kadota (Dottato)
- Description: Kadota figs have light green skin and amber flesh. They are less sweet than many other varieties but have a mild, delicate flavor. They are often used for canning and drying.
- Best Growing Conditions: Kadota figs grow well in warm climates and are suited for USDA zones 7-9.
- Uses: Commonly used for preserves, jams, and dried fig products.
2. White Adriatic
- Description: This fig is pale yellow to greenish in color, with very sweet, strawberry-colored flesh. It’s a great fig for fresh eating, and it has a refreshing taste.
- Best Growing Conditions: Thrives in Mediterranean climates with full sun and well-draining soil.
- Uses: Ideal for fresh consumption and fig preserves.
3. Ischia (White Ischia)
- Description: White Ischia figs have a light greenish skin and sweet, strawberry-like flesh. The flavor is mild and less sugary than other figs.
- Best Growing Conditions: Ischia figs perform well in USDA zones 8-10 and prefer a warm climate.
- Uses: Often used for fresh consumption, fig jam, and in baked goods.
Dark-Skinned Figs
1. Black Mission
- Description: Dark purple to black skin, with pinkish-red flesh that’s sweet and flavorful. This is the most common fig variety in the United States, used for both fresh consumption and drying.
- Best Growing Conditions: Grows best in warm, sunny climates in USDA zones 7-10.
- Uses: Excellent for fresh eating, drying, and fig preserves.
2. Violette de Bordeaux (Negronne)
- Description: This variety produces small, dark purple-black figs with reddish flesh. It is known for its rich, sweet flavor, making it a favorite for fresh consumption.
- Best Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun and grows well in USDA zones 7-9.
- Uses: Best for fresh eating and fig desserts.
3. Beers Black
- Description: Similar to Violette de Bordeaux, this variety has dark purple skin and red flesh. It’s a rich, sweet fig with a smooth texture.
- Best Growing Conditions: Best grown in warm, dry climates with plenty of sun.
- Uses: Great for fresh eating, fig preserves, and desserts.
Final Thoughts on Fig Varieties
Figs come in a wide range of varieties, each offering distinct flavors, colors, and growing preferences. Whether you're growing figs for fresh consumption, drying, or preserving, there's a variety that fits your climate, space, and culinary needs. From the classic Black Mission and Brown Turkey to the rare and beautiful Panache fig, each type of fig has something special to offer. By understanding the different fig varieties and their growing conditions, you can select the best cultivar for your garden or home, ensuring that your fig tree produces a delicious harvest for years to come.
