Name your top 3 figs of 2025!

Another thought: for example main desert king looks more like an Adriatic but flavor wise is sweeter and more similar to Morus Nigra (black mulberry), which is similar to blackberry but much better. I wouldn’t lump it with Adriatic even-though it’s green and red inside.
 
oat said:
The core taste is strawberry jam. That’s why I said that. I think the strawberry flavor is stronger than even some Adriatic. It’s not green, so won’t be associated right away with Adriatic. I also have smith and it’s finally growing ok. I think next year it will take off and I can compare it more fairly with Cessac. Currently I’m in the camp of them not being the same.
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I see. I've had my Smith for two seasons and got a pretty good taste of it. It's what I would describe as sweet, light berry fig. It reminds me of my uncaprified Tia Penya, but less refined. Tia Penya is like Smith on steroids. To me, both are very different from the intense berry flavor of the Adriatics, hence why I asked. I am curious to try Cessac sometime.
 
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Figgin' A said:
I see. I've had my Smith for two seasons and got a pretty good taste of it. It's what I would describe as sweet, light berry fig. It reminds me of my uncaprified Tia Penya, but less refined. Tia Penya is like Smith on steroids. To me, both are very different from the intense berry flavor of the Adriatics, hence why I asked. I am curious to try Cessac sometime.
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It’s nothing like a light berry in cessac. Not all my figs were caprified either, so I don’t think it’s from caprification. I’m looking forward to try a really representative smith. Smith is an older tree but tiny compared to Cessac, hence it’s not fair to compare them yet.
 
oat said:
Another thought: for example main desert king looks more like an Adriatic but flavor wise is sweeter and more similar to Morus Nigra (black mulberry), which is similar to blackberry but much better. I wouldn’t lump it with Adriatic even-though it’s green and red inside.
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Do you have wasps in your area? Caprified DK main looks and tastes different from uncaprified version. I am trying to remember whether I got to taste a pollinated DK main this year. I do have Morus Nigra and a few blackberries and had pollinated some DK main this year.
 
grasshopper said:
Do you have wasps in your area? Caprified DK main looks and tastes different from uncaprified version. I am trying to remember whether I got to taste a pollinated DK main this year. I do have Morus Nigra and a few blackberries and had pollinated some DK main this year.
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I do have the wasps. All my DK mains were caprified.
 
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oat said:
It’s nothing like a light berry in cessac. Not all my figs were caprified either, so I don’t think it’s from caprification. I’m looking forward to try a really representative smith. Smith is an older tree but tiny compared to Cessac, hence it’s not fair to compare them yet.
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This may explain why some people who grow both prefer Cessac, saying that Cessac is a much-improved version of Smith.
 
oat said:
Another thought: for example main desert king looks more like an Adriatic but flavor wise is sweeter and more similar to Morus Nigra (black mulberry), which is similar to blackberry but much better. I wouldn’t lump it with Adriatic even-though it’s green and red inside.
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I hand pollinated some DK - the first batch weren't great but I just posted the video on what I think is a truly caprified one:
 
I really didn't take a lot of pics this year, the best one was probably the tree that was supposed to be a De la Roca but turned out to be something else.
Maybe NdB or Borjasotte Noire perhaps.

Borjasotte Noire.jpg

Other than that the Smith were awesome as usual, Cavaliere remains a favorite of mine as well.
Galicia Negra still killin it, and always the WM#1.

A Mention for Green Goblin, I had one just last week, for cooler weather it tasted really good.
Can't wait for next year to try some prime season figs.
 
Figgin' A said:
Last year, my top three were very clearly identified. This year, now that I have added over 20 new carefully selected varieties to suit my taste, I feel quite challenged. I need another season to get a better taste of the new varieties and sort out my top list.

That said, here is what I have in mind, more or less —excuse my indecisiveness at this time.

1 - I-258/CDD Grise/CDD Mutante
2 - Borda Barraquer/VDS/DSJG/BNR/Paratjal Rimada/NDB
3 - Angelito/WM#1/UNK Prosciutto/Bourgasotte Grise/Vince #3
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You need All of the above in any multiple choice questions.🤣
 
oat said:
The core taste is strawberry jam. That’s why I said that. I think the strawberry flavor is stronger than even some Adriatic. It’s not green, so won’t be associated right away with Adriatic. I also have smith and it’s finally growing ok. I think next year it will take off and I can compare it more fairly with Cessac. Currently I’m in the camp of them not being the same.
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I have both young Cessac and Smith. I can see why people link them together. Taste wise, they are different at this point but taste is not stable on young trees so needs more time to check these out.
 
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The Greek said:
This was the year of exploration for me, as I was able to try over 30 new varieties for the first time, what an amazing year!

My favorites (all of these were 1st-time tastes):
Irene's Black Greek
Iranian Candy
Vasilika Sika VS
Sucrette (Baud)
CdD Blanc
LdA
Galicia Negra
Stella
VdB
Joualle Noire
Figo Preto
DSJG
NSDC
Cravens Craving
LSU Strawberry

My top 3:
1. Vasilika Sika VS - Sucrette (Baud) - CdD Blanc (3-way tie!)
2. LdA
3. Galicia Negra

In case you are wondering why IBG didn't make it, it is a 1-year-old tree that only produced 2 small figs - those were after heavy rains, so they were very watered down, thus not a good representation. Next year I hope to finally taste a good one!
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Great post!!
I have been researching Galicia Negra for next year and have only heard great things about+ it supposedly does very well in a pot.

Other ones that I have been looking at that you might like are:

- Han Ram- OTBP raved about this Moroccan fig + it ripens in Sept, which is nice that it’s earlier.
- Ischia Black: is OTBP’s favorite Bordeaux fig. He bought it 6yrs ago from Herman (Vasile) - the healthiest strain. His is the most concentrated flavor of alll the Bordeaux’s and resists splitting.
 
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Figgin' A said:
Last year, my top three were very clearly identified. This year, now that I have added over 20 new carefully selected varieties to suit my taste, I feel quite challenged. I need another season to get a better taste of the new varieties and sort out my top list.

That said, here is what I have in mind, more or less —excuse my indecisiveness at this time.

1 - I-258/CDD Grise/CDD Mutante
2 - Borda Barraquer/VDS/DSJG/BNR/Paratjal Rimada/NDB
3 - Angelito/WM#1/UNK Prosciutto/Bourgasotte Grise/Vince #3
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From a personal note, your top 3’ are encouraging since they are in my WL, and since I have never tasted them and all I have to go off is what I read online, it’s good to know that I’m not picking duds! 😆
 
This year was a bust for me. All my trees were recovering from transplanting and moving. Nonetheless, here were my best tasting.

In no particular order:
Socorro Black
Smith
Beltrana MP

Best figs I ever had:
Black Mission
Calimyrna

Both of these dried on my neighbors' giant ancient trees. I have never experienced anything like this. Strong notes of guava, honey, berries, and nuttiness condensed into beautiful jelly textures.
 
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