The Sugar Berry Fig Flavor Profile: Its Varieties & Meaning
Updated: 5 days ago
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 “Sugar Berry" fig flavor profile.
The Sugar Berry Fig Flavor Profile
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 mildness allows the core figgy, dried-fruit flavors to remain prominent. This is a key distinction, as more intense berry flavors tend to overshadow these desirable fig characteristics. Though exceptions exist, and this trade-off isn't necessarily negative, it represents the primary difference between the two categories. Consequently, this profile is my second favorite, surpassed only by the Complex Berry category.
Here are the varieties that fall under this category:
Moro de Caneva
Moro de Caneva is a great example of this flavor profile. It tastes exactly like a fig with a mild berry flavor.
Also known as Figo Moro da Caneva, Nerino, Szivarski, and Fico Secco. Hence the name, this variety originates in Caneva Italy, and is grown commercially there. Near the Dolomites, Northern Italy has a similar climate to the Northeastern United States, which I believe has helped it adapt to rain and cold.
Standout traits:
High productive yield over a long period
Higher than average cold hardiness
A plentiful breba crop comparable to its main crop in quality
Ripens main crop figs alongside the earliest varieties like Ronde de Bordeaux or Florea
A great commercial variety
Caneva is my favorite if you have to harvest early. You can cut them open and place them in the fridge. They intensify and become seriously good.
Sultane
Sultane is one of my favorite fig varieties and it's sadly quite underrated among fig collectors. I don't know why Sultane doesn't get more attention in the US.
It's often confused with Noire de Bellone. They could not be more different. Bellone is unifera and has a very different shape and eating experience.
Instead, I find many more similarities to Black Mission, and generally, it's a huge improvement similar to Kutfeji Black and Pernette Noire. Like Black Mission, Sultane has a fruity berry flavor, good sweetness, and a jammy pulp. The pulp is oddly drier than most figs. I'm not saying it's not moist, but it certainly isn't syrupy like some figs are. I wonder if this could help it dry on the tree better.
In France, where nurseryman Pierre Baud has helped make this variety popular, it's used for commercial production. He notes in his book that it's rain-resistant, has good eating quality, and has a long production period.
This is likely its most valuable trait. The brebas are large and very early. The main crop has a long harvest window. In 2024, I harvest 3 distinct crops of figs from Sultane. I would highly recommend giving it a try. It pretty much checks all of the boxes and would be a good candidate if you could only grow one fig variety.
Columbaro Nero
Columbaro Nero is the common name for this fig variety in Italy, where it originates. However, in the US, it has many names due to its superior hardiness, size, breba production, and eating experience among hobbyists in the Northeast. You can find tons of these trees all over Philadelphia and New York.
This article details all of the other names you'll hear about: Fig Synonyms | What is a Synonym & A List of Types or Categories and their many names
It is easily recognizable by its void, shape, internal pulp pattern, skin coloration, and ribbing. I think it's underrated among hobbyists due to its breba production and quality, but undoubtedly it's preferable in dryer locations. This variety usually produces a lot of fig nectar and is as a result very juicy. It's a sugar fig at heart and when it ripens longer, the berry flavors can come out.
LSU Tiger
LSU Tiger was selected for release by the LSU breeding program as a descendant of the Celeste fig. In my opinion, LSU Tiger is the best fig produced by that program. I don't believe they "improved Celeste," but It’s a clear improvement in terms of size. It can be 2 times larger than Celeste.
Its texture is another clear improvement. The skin becomes leathery when shriveled on the tree (6-7 day hang time). Its skin is its best trait, one of the components of the best fig-eating experience possible. The flavor is similar to other fruity berry figs on this list--Concord grape when perfectly ripe.
In 2022, I noted considerably less splitting (actually none), very little cracking if any, and pretty much the perfect fig every time. However, 2024 was not a great year for Tiger. The harvest ripened all at once. There was high fruit fly pressure at that time from a neighboring tree.
Read more about LSU Tiger here.
Sucrette & Cul Noir
Sucrette tastes amazing. Especially because it dries easily on the tree, as noted by cork tints. In humid climates, it can produce sugar spots on the bottom of the fig. It is one of the best-tasting, sweetest, and best-performing figs that I grow. Perfect dense texture, productive, mid-season with some serious drying capabilities.
It can split slightly at the eye if the soil is too wet. Less I've noted when planted in the ground. It's extremely hardy and makes a fantastic choice for an in-ground fig. This variety should be grown by every serious collector.
It'll also produce a minor crop of breba, so in short, it's all around a great fig in every climate.
Florea/Michurinska 10
Florea, also known as Michurinska 10, is an underrated sugar fig that deserves more recognition for its unique qualities. This variety is known for its exceptional hardiness and ability to produce fruit very early in the season, making it an excellent choice for short-season climates.
Its performance is particularly noteworthy in drier soils, where the figs develop richer flavors and better quality, although the slightly open eye and occasional splitting may pose challenges in more humid environments.
Flavor-wise, Florea leans toward the traditional dried fruit notes of fig, date, and raisin, with a subtle hint of berry in well-ripened fruit. While it doesn’t reach the complexity of other varieties, it provides a reliable harvest and a classic fig flavor that will please most growers.
Related: The Best Tasting Fig Varieties
Souadi
Taste-wise, Souadi leans toward a refreshing, light berry flavor with nuances of sweetness and a hint of nuttiness. While it may not deliver the intense berry notes of varieties like Black Madeira or Italian 258, its approachable profile makes it easy to enjoy in larger quantities. When fully ripened, the fig develops a deeper red interior and a more pronounced honeyed sweetness, elevating its quality.
Risoulet
Risoulet is another Figues du Monde introduction. I am very happy to have acquired it, but it hasn’t been all peaches and cream. Originally, this variety was quite unhealthy, it dropped its fruits and struggled with a severe case of FMV. Since, I’ve solved the issue by planting it in the ground, rejuvenation pruning it and now it’s on its way to being an established healthy tree.
In 2022, the figs were exceptionally early and ripened with a quick 2-3 day hang time. That's about as short as it gets. It also easily dries and shrivels on the tree. The skin prevented rain damage from quite a bit of rain that I received in 2022 while some of these figs were ripening. Another positive note for this variety.
In terms of flavor, the fig reminds me of a Black Mission that meets Coll de Dama. Very thick jammy pulp but in a Black Mission-styled package. I hope to be able to report more on this variety in 2024.
Dall'Oso
This is a fig that Belfiore Nursery in Italy believes to be the original Dall'Oso depicted in Gallesio's drawing. I have no idea if that's true, but I value this variety for other reasons. It's a keeper with layered complex flavors. It also has a unique reddish-brown shaded pulp. In 2021, my in-ground tree is maturing and has become quite impressive. I am very much so looking forward to the fruits of this one to see the differences in quality compared to prior seasons.
End of 2021 update: The fig changed quite a bit from prior years. After planting it in the ground, the stem, neck, and shape are very different! Much more impressive now that it has an elongated shape. This fig is a good producer, early, rain resistant, and tastes good to boot. Among my best varieties for sure. I highly recommend it for a wide variety of climates and is 1 of 4 varieties Belfiore Nursery recommends for Northern Italy.
In 2024, Dall'Oso was once again quite elongated in shape. The few figs that ripened showed good rain resistance. In 2025, my tree will finally turn a corner producing many high-quality figs. I can't wait to evaluate it and see what other changes/traits can be observed.
Grise de St. Jean
Grise de St. Jean (GdSJ) is a very good and underrated variety. It's widely grown in Europe (even commercially) and not nearly widely grown enough in the US. The figs are exquisite in flavor and texture. They dry easily and perform well in a wide range of climates.
It's also probably the second most beautiful fig and tree I grow. The foliage, the shape of the tree, and the figs are all stunning.
The figs ripen in the middle of the season and produce a limited, but great tasting breba crop. According to Baud, the leading expert on the variety, it's not a very hardy tree.
GdSJ has an unusual growth habit. The growth is more horizontal than vertical, which is a better form for capturing more sunlight.
Unk Rome
Rome Unk is a unique variety that was initially believed to be synonymous with English Brown Turkey. However, after evaluating it, it's clear that it's unique from other fig varieties. Not only does it possess a desirable skin that resists moisture absorption and has a desirable shape that helps it shed water, but it also has a below-average hang time. I've never encountered a variety like it.
The credit for discovering Rome Unk goes to a grower named Moonlight who found it growing in Rome, which is how the variety got its name. This variety is certainly worthy, however of a real name rather than the town it comes from.
In 2022, I dubbed it one of the best new varieties, and in 2023, it got even better. The eating experience is certainly high quality with a medium berry flavor and overall this fig has a nice profile and texture.
Other Sugar Berry fig varieties:
Negretta
Capol Curt Negra
Hunt
