Topics

Is my unknown breba a Marseilles?

I picked my first eatable breba of the year today from my unknown fig tree. Could this fig tree be a Marseilles? Is anyone else getting ripe breba from their Marseilles now?
We discussed the ID of my unknown fig in a previous post: (http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/my-old-unknown-fig-tree-7420245?pid=1287624745

I’m growing a Marseilles EL and the ribbed breba, ripening time and leaves look very similar to my unknown fig tree. The unknown breba’s taste is moist, crunchy with a very bland, watered down white sugar taste like a soft drink diluted with melted ice where all the flavorings are missing except the white sugar. The main crop is similar in appearance and taste except sometimes it may be pink inside.

   Unknown Breba & Leaf.jpg   
My first eatable breba from this morning.

Unknown breba cut.jpg 

Marseilles EL.jpg
My Marseilles EL tree with an almost ripe breba. 


I promise I don't mean to sound like a smarty pants, but...
The description of the fig's taste that you gave was not something I'd be looking forward to.  Are you growing it because it's a pretty plant?

Quote:
Originally Posted by VeryNew2Figs
I promise I don't mean to sound like a smarty pants, but...
The description of the fig's taste that you gave was not something I'd be looking forward to.  Are you growing it because it's a pretty plant?

As a matter of fact, it IS a pretty plant, a large tree where my son built a tree house. It makes great shade in the summer and the frequent abundant crops of figs keep the critters busy and away from my better figs. I just wish I knew the name of it.  

  • Avatar / Picture
  • Sas

By now I know that using the names Marseilles and St Anthony interchangeably is not a good practice without describing the fruit. I have a yellow St. Anthony which I like a lot, while my Marseilles EL is green.
The Brebas on my Marseilles EL which I picked last week were ok considering I don't have any other brebas at this time, but they were not something to crave for and the taste is as you described above. Perhaps these figs are meant for drying.
At this time, this fruit would never make it on my top ten or top twenty list for fresh eating. I'm not sure where it belongs.
Below are pictures of my Marseilles EL Brebas picked last week.





    Attached Images

  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpeg, Views: 53, Size: 920500
  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpeg, Views: 51, Size: 929821
  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpeg, Views: 54, Size: 536215
  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpeg, Views: 60, Size: 485037

Ok guys,and gals. Yall are not letting your fifs,get ripe. Especially white figs. Let a few of theze figs,get sugar spots before picking and post the flavor profile. Bet it,will be a good review. :)
Some figs can be picked sooner then others. Give it a try.

  • Avatar / Picture
  • Sas

Hi Richie,

One of the brebas was better than the other one. Guess what I did to sweeten the second one?
I used organic Agave syrup. LOL

This is definitely White Marseilles which is technically "Italian Honey."  The leaf pattern is unmistakeable.

Someone please post this fig fully ripe and give a flavor profile as Richie said.  I am really curious about this tree, apparently it can be a good producer and should have a nice taste when fully ripe.

I will i have a tree in ground but not close to being ripe yet. I may hae some pucs from last year.

Thank you all for your help in ID-ing my Unknown fig tree.

Sas, Thanks for the pictures and flavor description. I thought I might be over critical and negative in my review but was trying to be honest. It was good to hear someone else’s opinion on their flavor. They aren’t that bad if they’re the only ripe fig around and you’re hungry. Some people’s descriptions of certain figs on the boards seem exaggerated, but I haven’t been eating figs for that long so could possibly be wrong.  

tennesseefig, I wonder why they call it Italian Honey? I have honey in my coffee every morning and for me honey has a very different flavor sweetness in contrast to Marsellles’s sweetness of white sugar. Pete’s Honey last year tasted more like honey.

This fig tree is a wonderful producer, almost continuous over the year, with figs of a smaller size than breba and main crop hanging on the tree after leaf fall through the winter. I thought it might be a Capri fig, but the birds finished off the fall crop within a week of ripening- I think in February.  I wasn’t eager to eat them myself, thinking little sleeping fig wasps might be inside.

Richie, I got a ladder and looked for some ripe breba with sugar spots but just found one shriveled up. I’ll spare you the picture. Perhaps some others will develop the spots. 

I totally agree with Richie. Looks to be white m.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tennesseefig
Someone please post this fig fully ripe and give a flavor profile as Richie said.  I am really curious about this tree, apparently it can be a good producer and should have a nice taste when fully ripe.

I don't think it's going to get much riper than this. Both were beginning to shrink on the tree with the heat we're having now. Are the black spots what you would call "sugar spots"?  

Marsellies Breba.jpg 
Marsellies Breba cut.jpg 

The fig on the left was still a much diluted white sugar taste like before, perhaps slightly more concentrated but not by much. The fig on the right was beginning to ferment with a slightly brandy, slightly sour taste. The taste is not that bad considering it's the only ripe fig right now. Perhaps I just tasted too many wonderful berry, honey and molasses flavored figs last year and my expectations were too high.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me ID this fig. 


  • Avatar / Picture
  • Sas

Just had my first Marseilles, and it tasted way better than the Breba. The fact that my tree is a five gallon container, could affect the results.
Perhaps in the right location this tree could be wonderful, but if we're talking white figs, l prefer the richer flavor of fresh white figs that have some red or pink color on the inside.
Yes it is productive and sweet, but so are many other varieties and on a scale of ten can only give it a 7 at this time.



Reply Cancel
Subscribe Share Cancel