Tasting Violette de Bordeaux, Florea, & Olympian Figs

Tasting Violette de Bordeaux, Florea, & Olympian Figs

The Brebas are winding down and these are about the last ones I'm picking off of my fig trees.

Violette de Bordeaux

The Violet de Bordeaux 3rd yr in ground has finally hit it's maturity level. The figs are top notch this year in terms of taste.  The color, texture, flavor and did I mention color of my VDBs this year were spectacular! The breba productivity kinda stunk though because I only pulled about 5 figs from this tree.

VDB for any Seattle grower should go in ground, you will be rewarded nicely with some of the best figs to eat.

VDB: Breba (8/14/17) - 3yr old plant

Taste: 8

Sweetness: 7

Size: 4 (40 grams)

Productivity: .33

Total = 19.33 

Florea

This is a great fig! My 2yr old tree grown in a 2 gallon pot has proven to be incredibly productive. It had 10 figs on basically a single branch! I think it maybe a good candidate to go in ground here. It's definitely a keeper.

There's a real strong punch of sweetness and strawberry from the Florea. It's small but carries a big flavor stick.

Florea: Breba (8/14/17) - 2yr old plant

Taste: 8

Sweetness: 8

Size: 3 (22.6 grams)

Productivity: 6.6

Total = 25.6

Olympian

The Olympian has gotten better and better over the last couple of years. It definitely has adapted very well to the climate that we have here in the PNW. The brebas are large and very attractive with it's bright yellow necks.

The taste on these were less figgy than the Gene's Vashon, it was sweet and melony. My kind of fig. Very little seed crunch compared to the Gene's Vashon. I'm glad to have this guy in ground it will only get more productive with time.

Olympian: Breba (8/14/17) - 3yr old plant

Taste: 7.5

Sweetness: 7

Size: 7 (68.7 grams)

Productivity: .6

Total = 22.10

Fig of the Week. #23 Olympian

Olympian Fig

Hardiness: Thrives the Seattle Winter with great Brebas
Type: Bifere
Fruit Ripens: July and Sept
Fruit Color: Long neck Fruit with an amber orange color with pinkish interior very productive
Taste: Rich and berry like. Tastes better than Chicago Hardy
Fruit Weight: 50grams

Olympian: Breba (Taste Score)

Taste: 6.5

Size: 4

Productivity: 5

Total =15.5

Discovery:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/living/article25888723.html

The Olympian was discovered here in Washington State and was genetically tested  by Denny McGaughy to show that it was an undiscovered fig. Pretty cool story, to know that we have a local fig here.

Fruit: The Olympian Bears some resemblance to the Gene's Vashon, they both have a long yellow neck and a copper color to the main part of hte fruit. However the taste is much different in comparison. Gene's Vashon has silkier melony sweet taste vs the Olympians fruit. Watch the video for more detail on the comparison.

Conclusion: This is a must have fruit for any area. It's a bit harder to root this variety than lets say a DK or Gillette but the beauty of the fruit and it's great breba makes it a perfect candidate for any garden.

More Fig Tasting! Olympian, Gene's Vashon, LSU O'Rourke, & Desert King

July is a great time of year for fig lovers! This is when the beginning of fig ripening season begins and it could go well into October depending on your varieties.

Yesterday was a treat. I got to taste 4 different varieties. Olympian, Gene's Vashon, LSU O'rourke, and Desert King


Olympian:
This fig came off of a 3ft tree and was recently placed in ground. It wasn't as juicy as I like but the flavor may improve with age. Overall it's a very productive tree for it's size with such gorgeous looking fruit.

Gene's Vashon:
The Vashon Violet was the best tasting out of this bunch that I had today. The tree is much more mature and has been in ground for about a decade. It was moist and juicy and the flavors were amazing. Very silky and rich. Melony tones.

 

LSU O'Rourke:
Unfortunately, this fig was knocked off too early by my young gardener helper and didn't get a chance to fully develop it's flavor. What I did taste has great promise though. A nice bit of acid and berry tones. You can taste the greenness of it still though. I love the color of and ribbing on this fig. Until next year young fig.

 

Desert King:
One of my favorites here in the Northwest. Never fails to impress me how good it is. Very refreshing and flavorful. And filling too. One 90gram fig can satisfy your hunger.

Desert King: Breba
Taste: 9.5
Size: 10
Productivity: 10
Total = 29.5

Genes Vashon: Breba
Taste: 8.7
Size: 5
Productivity: 7
Total = 21.7

Olympian: Breba
Taste: 6.5
Size: 4
Productivity: 5
Total =15.5

LSU O'Rourke Breba
Taste: 4.5 (not fully ripened)
Size: 2.7
Productivity: 1
Total = 8.2

Olympian & Brown Turkey fig Update

I buried my Olympian fig purchased from a Federal Way Nursery directly into one of my raised beds. I don't think it will be a permanent location. Just looking to give it a extra boost of growth.

When I bought the plant on 6/1/15 it had no fruits whatsoever. I pinched the top about a month ago and then this happened. Blame! it was like a burst of fruit growth.

My 2nd year brown turkey that I purchased as cuttings has been pushing out some serious fruit growth as well. I remember buying 25 cuttings. I think I ended up with 5 successful cuttings. At the time I was just using the baggy method with paper towels. They took forever root and most rotted away. My success rate was way lower back then.

 I gave 2 to my mother in law and 1 to my sister. So I still have these 2 plants in 5 gallon pots. The Plants are relatively productive and I can't wait to taste my first fruit from them.