Tasting the Vern's Brown Turkey 2018

Tasting the Vern's Brown Turkey 2018
Picked 9/29/18
1 Crop

2017

This will probably be the last year that I will review this the Vern's Brown Turkey fig. It's a very productive but mediocre tasting fig that does great here in the PNW.

September is such a big month for figs. From left to right : Vincenzo main crop, Salem Dark, Longue D'Aout Main Crop, and Vern's Brown Turkey.

The VBT is a subtle honey flavored fig. Not very sweet nor flavorful but will ripen reliably in a shaded area here in Zone 8B. Mine is up against a fence and only get's mid day sun. Yet it still is pushing out ripe figs.

 

35.5 Grams

For most serious collectors, this fig won't crack the top of any lists. However it is a reliable fig that will do well here in the PNW. The flavors and sweetness are way too subtle for most palettes. But if you like figs that are more mellow, this may be a good choice in ground. 

It may also be a good one to dry since it is so productive. The drying process should bring out the sweetness perfectly. 

Vern's Brown Turkey (9/29/18)

Main crop

Taste: 4.5

Sweetness: 5

Size: 4 (35 grams)

Productivity: 4

Total = 17.5

Tasting figs, Vern's Brown Turkey, Osborn Prolific, Violette De Sollies, Brown Turkey, Preto

Vern's Brown Turkey Main Crop (9/13/17) 20yr old plant

Taste:  6

Sweetness: 6 

Size: 8 (72.7   grams)

Productivity:  2

Total = 22

These figs can get quite large  when picked from an established in ground tree. It's a pretty reliable producer here in the PNW. It is a single crop fig with fig ripening towards the end of September into October. 

In terms of taste this would not fall in to my top 10 but it would fall into my top 10 for the PNW weather. It's a light colored interior and gently sweet with honey tones. 

Preto Main Crop (9/29/17) 3yr old plant

Taste:  9

Sweetness: 8.5

Size:  5 (41.1 grams)

Productivity:  5

Total = 27.5

Preto is a delicious fig. It ripens at the end of September and beginning of October. Which is in line with Ronde De Bordeaux MVSB and many other figs. Which is interesting because from others account it was always listed as a late fig. 

This fig is great it ranks close to the taste of the Black Madeira. It's taste is like rich strawberry jam and perfectly sweet. Quite reliable and heavy producer!

Brown Turkey Main Crop (9/29/17) 15yr old plant

Taste:  6

Sweetness: 5 

Size:  6 (52  grams)

Productivity:  3

Total = 18

It's funny throughout the years I haven't really done any reviews on this fig. Most folks either hate it or love it. I think it's a very average fig but quite large! If you want something to fill your stomachs the Brown Turkey will do just that. Just do not expect to be blown away by it's flavor.

Marseilles VS Black Main Crop (9/29/17) 3yr old plant

Taste:  7.5

Sweetness: 7.5 

Size: 2 (18.6 grams)

Productivity:  1

Total = 18

MVSB is a great fig. Another strawberry and jammy fig but ranks quite high in my book if you had to pick a "Black, strawberry, Jammy fig".  Top 15 for sure.

Main Crop Desert King

This was inedible. -3 I couldn't even keep it down.

I could not judge the Viollette De Sollies because it was a rotten fruit.

Watch the video below

Fig of the Week. #23 Vern's Brown Turkey

Vern's Brown Turkey

Hardiness: A very reliable producer in the Seattle Winter
Type: Common, Unifere
Fruit Ripens: September
Fruit Color: Deep burgundy with a little bit of green exterior color with a honey yellow interior
Taste: The taste is honey like, not overly sweet but very pleasant
Fruit Weight: 64grams

My Vern's Brown Turkey is grown in ground unprotected and is gearing up to be a very prolific producer.

To distinguish this variety from less reliable varieties also called Brown Turkey, One Green World named it for gardener and writer Vern Nelson. Vern’s Brown Turkey has proven itself a reliable and productive variety in the Northwest. It bears large, sweet and flavorful, dark brown figs with light amber flesh, often producing two crops a year.

This fig reminds me of a Neveralla or Osborn Prolific. Vern's Brown Turkey is much juicier though and has more flavor. In my opinion it's a superior to them.

Vern's Brown Turkey

Taste: 7.75

Size: 7

Productivity: 8

Total =   22.75