I did not simply list the figs with the highest score. Taste scores ranked heavily into my list but I also factored in hardiness, productivity and reliability.
Four Categories to judge for: Taste/Flavor, Sweetness, Size, Productivity
10 is Highest and 1 is the lowest.
Size Chart in grams:
1 = 1-10
2 =11-20
3 =21-30
4 =31-40
5 = 41-50
6 = 51-60
7 = 61-70
8 = 71-80
9 = 81-90
10 =91-100+
Productivity:
Productivity will be calculated by how many figs divided by how many branches. So the result will be a number that shows the average amount of figs per branch.
Example:
.5 = 1 fig for ever 2 branches
1 = 1 fig per branch
2 = 2 figs per branch
Taste/Flavor:
10 is Highest and 1 is the lowest.
Example:
10 = Black Madeira
1 = Wuhan
Sweetness Level:
10 is Highest and 1 is the lowest.
Example:
Peter's Honey would be a 9
White Kadota I had from 2 years ago would be a 2 - it was bland as water
(Click on the link to see the full review and video)
My Full Tasting Scores and how I score them.
2017 Scores
2016 Scores
1. Black Madeira - Score 28.5
Taste: 11/10
Sweetness: 8.5
Size: 4 (4.6 grams)
Productivity: 5
Total = 28.5
Black Madeira ranks #1 for me for many reasons. It's incredibly tasty, reliable, and so very productive. The ripe fruit is worth all of the effort and money.
There's a sweetness and complexity to the flavor of the Black Madeira that makes it a memorable experience to eat. That's probably why it's one of the most sought after varieties.
Now I have other "rare" varieties but they have never fruited for me. They may cost more money but why pay hundreds of dollars for a variety that doesn't bear any fruit? It's just an expensive decorative plant then.
2. Golden Riverside - Score 32
Taste: 9.5
Sweetness: 8.5
Size: 7 (60G)
Productivity: 7
Total = 32
A perfectly ripe *Golden Riverside is like a marriage of a Black Madeira and a Peter's Honey. It's sweet and flavorful. Syrupy but juicy at the same time. The richness hits you after you swallow and lingers on the pallet for a few more seconds. Add this to the fact that it's cold hardy & very productive, makes it a very very good fig to have.
3. Vincenzo Breba - Score 23
Vincenzo: Breba (7/25/17) 1yr old plant
2 crops
Taste: 8.5
Sweetness: 8
Size: 6 (55.5 grams)
Productivity: .5
Total = 23
This is another great breba fig that will have a home in my collection. It would score higher if it was more productive. There was only 1 on the tree this year.
I was surprised at how good this fig was. The sweetness and flavor was quite memorable. Perfectly sweet and very juicy! There was a nice bite to the skin but the interior was so delicate. It just melted in your mouth.
4. LSU Tiger -Score 23
1 crop
Taste: 8.75
Sweetness: 8
Size: 4 (35 grams)
Productivity: 2
Total = 22.75
This fig was originally sent to me as a Calderwood Unknown but it has been ID'ed as LSU Tiger. Every time I ate a bite of this fig I was hit with this thought that "wow this fig is so sweet and fresh". Perfect amount of sweetness and strawberry jam flavor. Yet some how it stayed juicy. Each bite you would get this gush of juiciness.
Thinking about this fig puts me into Nirvana.
5. Preto - Score 27.5
Preto Main Crop (9/29/17) 3yr old plant
Single Crop
Single Crop
Taste: 9
Sweetness: 8.5
Size: 5 (41.1 grams)
Productivity: 5
Total = 27.5
The little brother of the Black Madeira. There's so many similarities that it's hard not to lump the two figs into the same category and conversation. This fig is extremely rich and perfectly sweet.
*Within this category is the Cravens craving, Bass's favorite, and maybe Calderona
6. Takoma Violet - Score 29
1 Crop Early
Taste: 8.5
Sweetness: 8.5
Size: 4
Productivity: 8
Total = 29
This year I've secretly fallen in love with the Takoma Violet. This little guy grew roots in the greenhouse so I could not remove it to get full sun, but it was a blessing in disguise.
My greenhouse floor isn't covered yet so I got a ton of weeds and it was also built over a former raised bed garden which means there are a ton of nutrients in the soil. So the Takoma Violet essentially took advantage of the extra heat and nutrients and was incredibly productive. It produced fruit from September and is still pushing out ripe fruit until now mid Oct.
The flavor, juiciness, and texture is perfect. Add on how productive and reliable this fig is and it will become anyone's favorite! Such a good fig!
7. Florea - Score 25.6
Florea: Breba (8/14/17) - 2yr old plant
1 crop
Taste: 8
Sweetness: 8
Size: 3 (22.6 grams)
Productivity: 6.6
Total = 25.6
In term's of flavor it's not the best but the productivity & reliability of this fig propels it into my top 10 for this year. I was literally picking figs every couple days off of this young tree.
This fig is sweet! Above average in flavor. They are small and made perfect bite sized snacks every time I went out into the garden.
I can't wait to grow this into a larger tree. I'm sure it will be the most productive fig in the garden!
8. Desert King - Score 25
Desert King: Breba (8/8/17) 4yr old plant
2 crops
Taste: 8
Sweetness: 7
Size: 7 (61 grams)
Productivity: 3
Total = 25
The Desert King is a staple here in the Pacific Northwest! A very productive and reliable tree that bears large tasty Green figs with a syrupy sweet interior. This is a favorite fig to everyone in my family.
9. Kathleen's Black - Score 19.5
Kathleen's Black (10/15/17) 3yr Old Plant
1 Crop
Taste: 8.5
Sweetness: 7
Size: 3 (22.8G)
Productivity: 1
Total = 19.5
How did the Kathleen's black sneak on to this list with a score under 20? Well, it's because out of all these figs it's the only one that has a uniquely Caramel/Strawberry flavor. Kinda Like Strawberry Jam Brulee. It was refreshing to eat a fig that was unique compared to all the strawberry jam types.
10. Grantham's Royal Breba - Score 25.5
Granthams Royal: Breba (7/19/17) 2yr old plant
Breba only
Taste: 7.5
Sweetness: 6.5
Size: 8 (77.2 grams)
Productivity: 1.5
Total = 25.5
The sheer beauty of this Grantham's Royal Breba has qualified it for the last position on my top 10 list for 2017. These heart shaped beauties are so unique. I had no idea that this fig would exhibit stripes on it. Which I found quite beautiful. A large fig at 77 grams makes it a full meal. It's moderately sweet and has a more complex flavor compared to the DK, it's like the Desert King's cousin from West Asia.
It is one sexy Breba!
* Honorable Mentions:
Qudsaaya - Score 25
Valle Negra - Score 21.5
VDB - Score 19.33
& Brandon's Unknown - Score 18
Video
Those of us living in the pnw would love to know which ones do not ripen for you. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm working on that list. But you can check out my other post about ripening schedules as well. http://seattlegardenfruit.blogspot.com/2017/10/fig-ripening-chart-for-pnw.html
DeleteExcellent Review. Thanks for sharing the information.
ReplyDeleteGreat information, Love it
ReplyDelete