The Berry Fig Flavor Profile: The Varieties & Meaning
To help new growers choose fig varieties, experienced growers have grouped similar-tasting figs into flavor profiles (Sugar, Honey, and Berry). However, these are guidelines, not strict rules, as growing conditions, harvesting at the proper time, and pollination can influence their taste.
Figs have a complex flavor–a mix of dried fruits, melons, berries, and sugar. There are over 1000 varieties of figs, each with its own unique flavor. If you haven’t already, read about the different fig flavor profiles and what figs taste like in the article linked below.
This article is about the “Berry” fig flavor profile.
The Berry Fig Flavor Profile
Berry figs are highly valued due to their depth of flavor and complexity, making them favorites among most fig enthusiasts. Many varieties, especially when properly ripened and pollinated, develop a unique experience that goes beyond the standard fig taste.
Unlike honey figs, which emphasize a syrupy sweetness, or sugar figs, which offer a milder, caramelized taste, berry figs stand out with a pronounced fruitiness reminiscent of various berries. These figs still retain underlying fig flavors—such as hints of melon, dried fruit, and the unique sugars found in fig nectar—but their dominant characteristic is a bold berry-like intensity. Some berry figs even taste more like cherries, blackberries, or raspberries than they do traditional figs, making them fascinating.
Subcategories of Berry Figs
Berry figs can be further broken down into four main subcategories based on their specific flavor nuances:
Sugar Berry Figs
This fig profile shares many characteristics with classic Sugar figs, but with enhanced complexity from subtle berry notes.
While berry flavors in this category often evoke strawberry, Concord grape, or even artificial fruit punch, their mild fruitiness allows the core figgy, dried-fruit flavors of a Sugar fig to remain prominent.
Probably the most common flavor profile among modern fig varieties.
Because this flavor profile shares similarities with Sugar figs, I've covered them in a separate article.
Related: The Sugar Berry Fig Flavor Profile: Its Varieties & Meaning
Blackberry/Blueberry Figs
Typically have a dark purple to black interior.
Rich, deep fruit flavors similar to blackberries or blueberries, though without the acidity these berries often have.
I imagine these have a high antioxidant/flavonoid content due to their dark pigmentation.
Cherry Figs
Exhibiting a distinct cherry-like taste often accompanied by stronger acidity.
While still a subset of berry figs, their flavor leans more toward stone fruit characteristics rather than traditional berries.
Rare and difficult to find, much like Blackberry/Blueberry fig varieties.
Strawberry/Raspberry Figs
These figs have a vibrant red interior, often deeper in color than other berry figs.
Their taste is reminiscent of fresh raspberries or strawberries.
Like the Sugar Berry fig flavor profile, this profile's intense raspberry/strawberry flavor is common among modern-day fig varieties.
Many people who have eaten fresh figs may never have encountered a true berry fig. Most widely available fig varieties in the U.S. fall into the Sugar or Honey flavor profiles. To fully appreciate the depth and complexity of berry figs, I highly recommend trying each of the subcategories to experience their unique flavors firsthand.
Here are the varieties that fall under this category:
Blackberry/Blueberry Figs
Black Celeste
Black Celeste is the perfect example of a mutation. The skin color, pulp color, and flavor all have changed drastically. Along with other less-noticeable performance-related characteristics. Truthfully, I sometimes can't believe something like this exists. After eating many Black Celeste and Celeste figs, I am convinced Black Celeste is the best-tasting Celeste fig you can eat. The berry flavor is more intense on this strain of Celeste than any other similar to a blueberry or blackberry minus the acidity.
Black Celeste also has an elegant component to its eating experience that I can't quite put my finger on. It's like you can taste its antioxidants and flavonoids with eat bite.
Dare I say, it's more elegant than 99% of the berry figs I’ve eaten.
If I could only grow one Celeste fig, it would be Black Celeste, but for serious collectors, I would argue Black Celeste is different enough than the others to warrant growing another strain alongside it. Personally, I always will.
Related: The Many Strains of Celeste
Vagabond
Vagabond is another introduction by Bulgarian grower PenandPike. He was also the one who introduced Green Michurinska. Shout out to Pen, he has an impressive eye for high-quality fruits.
The exterior of Vagabond is aesthetically striking, with an oval shape and flat bottom, short neck, and stem, with a distinctive blue skin that has a beautiful bloom you’ll frequently find on grapes. Interestingly, Vagabond has a strong grape & blackberry flavor. Vagabond starts fruiting around the middle of the season.
Vagabond has excellent drying capabilities and is resilient against common fig issues like cracking and splitting, even during rainy periods, likely due to its skin properties that prevent water absorption. The hang time is shorter than average.
Read more about Vagabond here.
Pastiliere
Pastiliere is one of my favorite fig varieties. It has a strong berry flavor, it's early, hardy, and beautiful. In fact, it's one of the best performing and tasting varieties you can grow in a short growing season or cold climate.
Many growers report a significant amount of dropping of the main crop. This is because Pastiliere does not tolerate periods of dry soil. After a few years, Pastiliere will reach maturity and this trait no longer becomes a concern. If growing this tree in a pot, use an automatic irrigation timer, so you don't miss a watering.
In the past, I was curious to find out if the source of Pastiliere would affect how frequently the main crop drops. The source did not matter. Dry periods of soil affect all of the sources of Pastiliere in the same way.
What I also love about Pastiliere is the flavor. It tastes like blueberries and blackberries like other fig varieties with a purple-colored pulp.
Related: Early Ripening Fig Varieties
Ponte Tresa
The Ponte Tresa fig was once subject to significant controversy. At one point in time, this fig was valued at a hefty sum of a thousand dollars, leading to considerable uproar among fig collectors. Some even went as far as destroying the Mother tree located in Switzerland.
The coloration of the fig's pulp is noteworthy, which originally sparked interest from just a few photos.
I will admit, the purple pulp bleeding through the skin's exterior is impressive. Fig varieties that have a purple or black colored pulp usually have a strong blackberry or blueberry flavor. Ponte Tresa is exactly that. I thoroughly enjoy it and consider it a high-quality variety.
Ponte Tresa, situated on the border of Italy and Switzerland, boasts a unique geographic significance that imparts certain resilient characteristics to its native figs. The region frequently experiences fall rains, making rain resistance a quintessential trait for any fig variety emerging from this locale. Such resistance ensures the fruit's survival and quality, even in damp conditions.
White Triana & Unk Blackberry
White Triana is so underrated among serious fig collectors that it makes me sick to my stomach. It's one of my favorite figs. When harvested properly, it has one of the best eating experiences you can have in a fig.
Choose to grow White Triana and you'll be rewarded with a very sweet, blackberry/blueberry-like flavor that has one of the most pleasant gooey/jammy textures. White Triana is like a mid-season Coll De Dama Blanc. White Triana and its similar varieties are also quite unique if you want something different than the rest.
In 2024, my White Triana tree planted in soil ripened figs with a much shorter hang time than what I've seen in the past. They also don't need to hang as long as I thought. Let them hang too long, the pulp turns into a congealed gel, which I think ruins its amazing texture. They're perfect when the skin begins to sag. However, eventually, it will dry on the tree closely resembling dried Turkish figs in US grocery stores. Make sure it's pollinated and it'll have the same seed crunch.
Related: Fig Varieties with a Short Hang Time | The Most Important Characteristic in Humid & Mild Climates
Other Blackberry/Blueberry Fig Varieties:
Joualle Noire, Molla Vermella, & Beat Ramon
Verdone (Nikky)
Cherry Figs
Cavaliere
The fig that immediately comes to mind for this flavor profile is Cavaliere. This Italian heirloom variety is a good size and easily ranks among the best-tasting figs out there. In fact, it’s one of the most uniquely flavored figs I’ve grown—an absolute dream for those who love acidic figs. Its flavor is reminiscent of cherry candy, and it produces some of the best dried figs I’ve ever had. Even after coming out of the dehydrator, the cherry notes remain and intensify.
One drawback is that Cavaliere can be prone to splitting. However, I’m now trialing it in the ground instead of a container to see if that improves its resilience.
Related: The Best Tasting Fig Varieties
Hative d'Argenteuil
Hative d'Argenteuil is a fig variety that the USDA imported. As the name suggests, it’s likely from the Argenteuil region of France. However, if you speak to French fig growers, they've never heard of it.
After gladly growing it and many years of evaluating it, I would consider Hative d'Argenteuil to be highly productive, vigorous, and reliable. Additionally, Hative d'Argenteuil stands out for its skin quality, which helps it resist water absorption, reducing the likelihood of lower fruit quality from a lowered brix, cracking, or splitting. This trait, shared with other varieties like Smith and Celeste, makes them particularly great at withstanding rainy conditions. To boot, Hative has a shorter-than-average hang time and tastes great even when harvested underripe.
Flavor-wise, Hative d'Argenteuil is distinguished by its distinct cherry flavor, setting it apart from other varieties in this article. Like Smith and the Coll de Damas, Hative also expresses a cakey texture when ripening under favorable conditions. Its eating quality is a clear notch above most figs and in my opinion, is among the best-tasting figs you can grow just about anywhere.
San Biagio
This variety originates from Pomona Gardens in Italy and remains quite rare in the U.S. I’m thrilled to have acquired it, as it’s consistently among the earliest to ripen there. While I recognized its potential last year, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that its flavor exceeded my initial expectations.
The variety produces small figs but the tree performs well in cold, dry weather. I’m still evaluating how the skin handles moisture and whether splitting will be an issue, but it’s already proven too delicious not to highlight as an exceptional variety. It has lower-than-average vigor but sets fruit well even in low-light conditions, making it a highly productive tree. Without a doubt, one of the standout new fig varieties of 2022.
Negra d'Agde
Negra d'Adge has been receiving high praise lately from respected fig growers, and for good reason. It’s proving to be an excellent variety—vigorous, productive, and packed with flavor. I have a few trees of this variety, including one planted in-ground, which has turned out to be exceptionally productive. It’s a mid-season fig, robust and healthy, and I was particularly impressed by its resistance to rain. Despite their shape, the figs rarely split. Flavor-wise, it’s one of the better-tasting varieties, featuring nice acidity with cherry-like notes.
From Galgoni:
"Pretty thin and durable skin. From one year to the next the figs have slight variations in shape and color. Weight around 60 g. Sweet and very tasty meat but without the distinctive nuances of a Coll de Dama. Good taste quality, compact and dark red meat. Unlike the Coll de Dama, it withstands storms and humidity very well without deteriorating or exploding. It is earlier than Dama's Neck with a staggered production as well. Ripe figs remain on the tree without falling. Drying on the tree naturally. As dried figs, they are also good enough."
Other Cherry fig varieties:
Fico Rubado / Verde Passo
Unk Pastiliere
Boscorosso
Cherry Cordial
Strawberry/Raspberry Figs
Black Madeira
Black Madeira is one of the most legendary fig varieties among hobbyist growers in the United States. Originally introduced to enthusiasts through the USDA's fig collection at UC Davis, this variety gained recognition when the USDA offered cuttings to growers years ago. As online fig-growing communities like Figs4Fun (F4F) and GardenWeb (now Houzz) emerged around 2008, Black Madeira quickly became a standout. These communities, created by dedicated growers such as Jon Verdick, explored a vast array of USDA-imported figs, and among them, Black Madeira was widely regarded as the best-tasting variety. Its reputation grew alongside the expanding hobbyist community, cementing its place as a must-mention in the history of fig cultivation in the U.S.
Black Madeira has set the gold standard for fig flavor, often used as a benchmark for comparison. Its complex berry taste and intense sweetness make it a standout, even in the absence of pollination.
Related: The Best Tasting Fig Varieties
Coll de Dama
The Coll de Dama figs are my favorite figs to eat. They are a must-grow in every climate if you’re a serious fig hobbyist for their exquisite thick and cakey texture. It’s the closest fig to eating cake or a pastry right off the tree. There is a problem with them, however. They are typically late to ripen, unhealthy, and therefore their productivity is unreliable.
After this realization, I made it a goal of mine to find a better source for Coll de Dama. Whether it had the Coll de Dama name or not, I want that same amazing eating experience in an easier-to-grow and maintain package. I think these four are at least a step in that direction.
And remember, Coll de Dama Blanc, Noire, Roja & Grise all have the same eating experience, but with different growing characteristics and skin color.
Hivernenca
The Hivernenca category of figs encompasses a range of named fig varieties, often leading to confusion due to the high number of names and subtle distinctions between them. Varieties like De La Senyora (Hivernenca), Lampiera 1, Can Planetes, and others fall under this classification.
Historically, these figs have been more successful in hotter, drier climates compared to milder regions like the Mediterranean. Hivernenca is certainly the last fig to ripen on this list. They are also known for their high productivity, with fruits often weighing down the branches creating a weeping habit. In 2023, this characteristic was particularly observed in my Lampeira 1 tree.
The eating experience of Hivernenca is a combination of the thick texture found in the Coll de Damas and the berry flavor of Black Madeira. Their taste intensity varies depending on the specific type and ripening conditions, but in ideal climates, they rank among the best-tasting figs.
They’ve made this list because of their quick ripening period, even in cooler fall weather, allowing for the harvest of about 90-95% of the tree's crop given a long enough growing season. Contrasting with Black Madeira, I may only harvest a handful of well-ripened figs each growing season. In humid climates, Hivernenca figs can rival and even surpass Black Madeira in terms of flavor and reliability.
To read more about the Hivernenca figs, check out this detailed article.
Smith
Smith is believed to have originated from Croatia, then traveled to France before being introduced to the United States by the Becnel family of Becnel Nursery. Over the years, they have been the main reason for Smith's immense popularity in the southern United States, comparable to well-known varieties like Celeste and Brown Turkey. However, Smith is far superior in eating quality, its strong, acidic, and exquisite berry flavor distinguishes it from most other fig varieties.
Smith is also known for its adaptability to various climates, particularly excelling in humid and short-season environments. It's highly resistant to rain, less prone to splitting despite its flat shape, and ripens early enough (August 15th in Philadelphia) to avoid most of the rainy fall weather. Despite its many strengths, Smith has a noted limitation in hardiness, struggling with temperatures around 10-15°F.
However, after experiencing the impressive hardiness of my Texas BA-1 tree (to at least 5F or zone 7B), I believe Smith does not lack in hardiness as much as we once thought. Hopefully, I’ll have promising results with my Smith tree in the winter of 2024-2025.
Read more about Smith and Texas BA-1 here.
White Adriatic
Adriatic figs, originally known as White Adriatic in California or Verdino in Italy, have been a cornerstone of commercial fig cultivation. They are recognized by their green skin and rich red pulp, offering flavors reminiscent of strawberries and raspberries.
Traits:
Can be harvested 60% ripe and still have an exceptional eating experience
Good for commercial production
Slightly shorter than average hang time
Superior drying capabilities--doesn't spoil
Top-tier eating experience and berry flavor
Ripens earlier than most late-ripening varieties (September 1st in Philadelphia)
Strong rain resistance from its skin--can split during periods of high rainfall
Tastes great well into the fall when other varieties struggle
