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Portuguese Fig Varieties

Nice pics shows a good example of how to prune in last pic. All those cuttings on the ground caught my eye.
Sal 

You know what Sal I didnt even notice the cuttings on the floor until you mentioned it, and here we are trying to get them lol and they are wasting them.

If they are all one variety orchard ex Lampa preta, they will go back and pick all those cuttings and make new rows.  If they are one variety to avoid mis matching certain varieties.  That is if they want to expand orchard, this is very common in Mediterranean countries. Usually one orchard is one variety and next rows are another, ect ect. This is what my family does in C.Frentano. The cuttings lay then all picked up and stuck in ground. Europeans hardly ever waste anything, especially Southern and Western.  Ciao

Maggie you are correct this field is owned by a University and they too have it devided each variety is in specific rows. I guess thats the best way to avoid confusion down the road.

In 2009 I was in Portugal in September right smack in the middle of the fig season, I was walking by a house that had a fig tree in its yard with huge figs (size of a pear) as I was admiring them the owner stepped out after a little chat this man gave as each a fig, my daughter 17 could not finish hers.
 The man only called his figs Algaravios because they originated from Algarve
but we were in Tras-os montes, does anyone know this fig and its name. Nelson I heard of Abebereira as another Portuguese fig.

Jose in ottawa

Hi Jose, there is a variety known as Algarve but the Algarve region has atleast 50 named varieties plus allot of wild figs because they have the fig wasp.

I know the most common figs in Northern Portugal is Douro & Branca Do Douro both large figs. Abebereira is a Portuguese fig and there seems to be allot of different strains of this fig in Portugal depending on where you live it might be a different fig all together with the same name. For example in Madeira Island Bêbera & Abebereira is the same but in Main land portugal it seems to be two different varieties all together as I have noticed allot of nurseries selling them both as distinct varieties.

If you go towards the bottom of the page on this link you will see a few different figs grown in the Algarve region. http://terradoscaes.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

Nelson, this is a good post. I am "rather"motivated on having more ethnic and E'pean figs in my collection. I have 11 varieties of ethnic figs growing  and some recent cuttings of Moscatel Preto from Toronto. For now, I am somewhat disappointed with Capelas taste and most impressed with Barbillone. The last 2 seasons, I find Capelas is productive but looks similar to Brunswick. Hopefully someone with more experience on this variant can share their observations. Meantime, the only person I know of with more ethnic figs in Canada is Adriano and he is not ready to market them. I am sure in Toronto and Vancouver there are several  interesting ethnic variants like the one I found in a Greek church here but I don't like its taste. Its a large green fig with nice strawberry colour interior. There are a few ethnic fairs in Vancouver during summer where all kinds of stuffs are sold. Perhaps going to such fairs may be a good thing to talk & hunt for such ethnic figs. I may just do that as there are plenty of ethnic foods to sample. By the way, I read somewhere that in Toronto there is this successful ethnic contractor that has an enclosure that houses a bunch of heirloom ethnic figs. May be it would be an idea to get in touch with the writer to find out who this contractor is.

Hey Paul any info on this contractor? I may just touch base with him. I too like heirloom figs and have about a dozen figs from Portugal and quite a few ethnic figs. Paul, Capelas sampled at Adriano's are outstanding large figs.

Tree is inground and 30 years old that might be the trick is to wait until it gets a bit older, but I do agree with it being similar to Brunswick in fig shape and leaf but has thinner skin and much better tasting to me atleast. But I too didnt sample any figs this season from my own plant between the squirls stealing the ripe figs and some spliting due to over watering.

Speaking of portuguese varieties, I was contacted recently by a Portuguese fig grower who said that the Dark Portuguese I have is very similar to a fig called  Figo Moscatel. Have anyone heard of that variety? 

Bass,

I just got this fig "Figo Moscatel" from a member.
It is still small ( 16 oz cup ).

Sorry, But I can't reveal the source just yet.

What all can you tell me about it?


My Capela (from Adriano) has been productively fruiting for the last two years and my experience has been that most of the fruit split wide open when there is just a little rain during ripening time.

Bass I was able to obtain a couple cuttings of Moscatel Preto from my dads neighbour who purchased it in Portugal 2 years ago. Here are pics of the fig I was able to sample he told me Breba ripens around Late July here in Toronto Main crop mid September and Brebas are much larger than main crop. Tasted very good his plant is 2 years old and atleast 7ft. Leaves were mostly 3 lobed and single lobed if I remember correctly.






Bump.

Great... Moscatel preto looks like a nice fig. May not be exactly the Dark Portuguese I have, judging but the color of the pulp.

Bass, Moscatel Preto is a high quality fig. Better tasting than Moscatel Branco. It is slightly larger than
Dark Portuguese. An easy variety to root. Main crop ripens here.

Ruuting
You need a "Bump" in the George pot holes thread....

Hi everybody. I came across a 3 in 1 plate Portuguese Fig tree  which is Tres um Prato . They cane from my 'friend' from Portugal. It has a huge Fig fruit ! Then I also found another guy who testifies that his Fig tree is also a 3 in one Plate ,but his Breba fig looks like a middle size Banana !! What I read about this Tres um Prato fig is completely  different than I saw with my own eyes !! 

  • DaveL
  • · Edited

I am bumping this thread since it contains a great amount of information on Portuguese figs. It has been awhile since it has been updated and several newer varieties have surfaced since first posted. Being of Portuguese decent, I have a great interest of figs from Portugal. I currently have three varieties and several more on order. While I love and own many types of figs, my goal is to expand this variety.

Dave,

The initial list that Nelson as placed in the first message of this topic is quite accurate although it has one or two error and some important omissions. If i was you i would search all the posts of Francisco (Username: lampo) 
He has wonderful photos of some of the best Portuguese (mainly Algarve) varieties. 

Here's some of the Portuguese varieties listed in the 4 traditional groups we use - Cachopeiro (Brebas and main crop - no need for caprification); São Pedro (Brebas and main crop, but this last one needs the wasp); Comum (Common - main crop only - no need for caprification) and Smyrna (only main crop but it needs to be caprified)

A_Grupos_de_Figos_3.JPG 
A_Grupos_de_Figos_4.JPG 
A_Grupos_de_Figos_5.JPG 
A_Grupos_de_Figos_6.JPG 
These charts have a few errors but they give a broad picture of many Portuguese varieties.



  • DaveL
  • · Edited

Thanks Jascadura, I have been reading most of Francisco' s current threads. The man knows his figs. I will do a search for older threads. BTW thank you for the explanation of the different groups, however not being able to read Portuguese leaves me scratching my head over the charts.

Like you, Dave, I am of Portuguese descent, and seek out these varieties. Not sure how many I have, maybe 15-20 now. Knowing Harvey has been a big help. Several have figs for the 1st time this year, I'll post pics as they do.

Dave,

The charts may be interesting for separating the different varieties in groups allowing for some clarification on frequent answers regarding the need of caprification for many Portuguese varieties. 

If i have the time, i may try to translate them.

Excellent thread and information shared! Thanks to all!

Regards,
Tony

This fig is from Portugal...
The leaves are characteristic..
It produces black figs in the 30g range but grown in container and first fruit. It may be larger.









Can you ID it for me?

Thanks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nelson20vt

Ok heres a little update on some of the varieties posted need to find more info on some of the others.
 

Bacorinho. Described and figured by Bobone (1932) as commonly grown at Loulé’,

Portugal. Figs turbinate; stalk short; skin green, with obscure violet tint; pulp carmine,

coarse; quality good.

Badalhouce. Described and figured by Bobone (1932). Breba crop especially good;

fruits large, pyriform, greenish yellow; pulp carmine; texture fine; quality very good.

Second-crop figs not described.

 

Belmandil. (syn. Cara Lisa). Described by Mello Leotte (1901). Name comes from

bello, “fine,” and mandil (roupa), “linen,” in reference to the texture of the skin.

Specimens collected at Loulé, Portugal, and described by Bobone (1932) under the name

Cara Lisa, were very similar, and probably identical to Belmandil.

Breba crop none; second crop requires caprification. Second-crop figs globular,

without neck, smooth; stalk short; color green tinged with violet; pulp carmine; flavor

sweet and agreeable; quality good.

 

Cachôpeiro Branco (probable synonyms are Lampo Branco, Vindimo Branco, Santa

Catarina, Roma Branco). Described by Mello Leotte (1901) and Bobone (1932);

illustrated also by the latter. Cachopo, described by Mello Leotte, may also be the

same, although he reported the second crop set fruit without caprification. Brebas

mature in Algarve from the middle of May to the end of June, while the second crop

ripens in the middle of August.

Brebas pyriform to turbinate, with thick neck and short stalk; color greenish yellow.

Second-crop figs oblate-spherical, without neck; pulp rosy chestnut; texture coarse;

quality good.

Carvalhal. Described by Mello Leotte (1901). Name refers to a fig of the Carvalhal

estate. Tree producing abundantly first and second crops, the latter being artificially

caprified.

Leaves 3-lobed, with violet stipules. Brebas large, pyriform; skin violet; pulp rosecolored.

Second-crop figs smaller, globose, of same color as brebas.

Castelhano Preto (syns. Euchário Preto, Castelhano da Rocha). Described by Mello

Leotte (1901) and Bobone (1932); the latter illustrates three different forms, as grown at

Cacela and Silves in Algarve.

Figs turbinate to pyriform; stalk up to 1/2 inch long; color dark violet; pulp dark

chestnut, coarse, sweet; quality good.

 

Castelhano Branco (syn. Euchário Branco). See account by Mello Leotte (1901), and

description with illustrations by Bobone (1932). The former states that the word

euchário is from the archaic eucha, “chest,” and caixa “case”; i.e., “fig of the case.” He

also gives Euchário Preto as a synonym; but Bobone points out distinctions in size,

color, and flavor. Both require caprification and produce a second crop only.

Castelhano figs are turbinate, rounded at apex; color green, obscurely tinted

chestnut; pulp carmine; flavor agreeable; quality fair. Season medium. According to

Mello Leotte, these figs, properly matured, are unrivaled in quality, and bring high

prices in the market.

Comadre. Regarded by Eisen (1901) as the best white drying fig of southern

Portugal. The term “comadre,” however, commonly designates a grade of dried figs,

and not any distinct variety.

 

Cótigo (syn. Cótio Tinto). Described and figured by Bobone (1932), who stated that

Mello Leotte (1901) regarded this variety as a mutation of Cótio, producing colored

rather than green figs. Second-crop figs green, with violet spots; stalk medium; pulp

carmine; texture coarse; quality good.

Cótio (syn. Malaguenho Branco). Described by Mello Leotte (1901) and Bobone

(1932)—the latter with illustrations—as the most important commercial variety of

Algarve. The orchards of Lameira are composed almost wholly of Cótio trees. At

Cacela, it is known as Malaguenho Bravo.

Breba crop none. Second-crop figs medium, turbinate; neck short and thick or none;

stalk short; color green; pulp carmine; texture coarse. Quality good, especially for

drying.

 

Dois à Fôlha. Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932) as a common Portuguese

fig, so named because two figs appear in the axil of each leaf. Figs are globular, with

short stalk and greenish-yellow skin.

Lampeira (syns. Portoghese, Lampas, Figue des Confiseurs). Described and

illustrated by Gallesio (1817), Gasparrini (1845, as Ficus pachycarpa var. lusitanica),

Pasquale (1876), Mello Leotte (1901), Eisen (1901), Simonet et al. (1945), Tamaro (1948),

and Baldini (1953); the last with illustration of leaf and brebas. It is also figured by

Tamaro. According to Gallesio, this variety was very common in Tuscany, especially at

Florence, and was figured as No.17 under the name Lampas Portoghese. Eisen praised

it highly by stating: “What the White San Pedro is for Andalusia in producing the

luscious brebas, the Lampeira is for southern Portugal.” It is probably this same variety

which Bobone (1932) described and illustrated as Figo Burro, with the following

synonyms: Burro, Gentio, Roma Preto, Bispo, Cachôpeiro Preto, Bacalar Preto, Lampo

Preto, and Vindimo Preto. Lampeira was once introduced into California, probably as

P.I. No. 18,871, and fruited at Niles, but no later records of its occurrence or behavior in

this state are available. The following description is after that of Simonet.

Tree moderately vigorous. Leaves small; deeply 3-lobed.

Brebas large, about 3-1/2 inches long and 2-1/2 inches broad, pyriform, with

prominent neck and medium stalk; average weight 102 grams; eye large, open, scales

violet; color greenish yellow, tinged with violet on sunny side; skin glossy, rather thick;

meat thin, white; pulp rosy amber, with violet shade toward the eye; seeds rather

numerous. Quality excellent; appearance fine.

Second-crop figs medium or below, about 2 inches long and 1-1/2 inches broad,

pyriform, with short, thick neck; eye partly open, scales rosy; skin delicate, checking at

complete maturity, green flushed with violet; pulp deep red; seeds small. Second crop

negligible without caprification.

Moscatel Branco (syn. Pingo de Mel). Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932) as

a Portuguese variety, not grown commercially, but widely distributed in Algarve. The

name Pingo de Mel, “honey-drop,” is sometimes given because of the honeylike gum

which exudes from the eye. The trees generally produce two crops.

Breba crop small; fruits pyriform, with short, thick neck and short stalk; color

yellowish green; pulp red, with traces of violet.

Second crop heavy; figs pyriform to spherical; skin smooth, somewhat puberulent;

color dark green; pulp red; texture fine; quality very good.

 

Moscatel Preto (syn. Bêbera). Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932). Known as

Moscatel Preto at Coimbra, and Bêbera at Cacela and on the island of Madeira.

The tree produces two crops. Mello Leotte (1901), on the other hand, described

Bêbera as a variety which does not produce a first crop, and the second crop as

requiring caprification.

Brebas oblique-pyriform, sometimes much elongated; neck thick; stalk short; color

violet-black; pulp dark carmine, streaked with violet; flavor sweet and agreeable.

Second-crop figs pyriform, elongated specimens unusual in having the internal cavity

narrowed at the base rather than rounded; stalk short; color green toward the stalk,

violet on

 

Passanudo. Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932). Second-crop figs medium,

turbinate or oblate; stalk very short; skin yellowish green, smooth, dull, commonly

checking when mature; pulp carmine, coarse, of agreeable flavor; quality good.

 

Rebanquio. Described and figured by Bobone (1932) as a pyriform, green fig, with

red pulp of good quality.

 

São Luiz. Described and illustrated by Mello Leotte (1901) and Bobone (1932) from

specimens grown at Loulé’. Second-crop figs turbinate, with short, thick neck and short

stalk; skin thin, of fine texture; color violet-black; pulp light red; quality very good.

 

Sopa e Vinho. Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932) as a Portuguese variety,

producing one crop only at Cacela in late August and early September. Figs medium,

turbinate, with short, thick neck; stalk short; color green, tinged with violet; pulp

carmine; texture fine; quality good.

 

Três um Prato. Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932) Collected in Algarve, and

believed to be of the Smyrna type. Figs medium, pyriform, with prominent neck; skin

greenish yellow, smooth, sometimes checking; pulp rose-colored; flavor agreeable;

quality good.

 

Urjal (syns. Capa Rôta, Branco). Described by Mello Leotte (1901) as Urjal, a

corruption of the word argel, signifying “soft”; i.e., fig of the soft skin. Described and

illustrated by Bobone (1932) as Capa Rôta, with synonyms as above.

This Portuguese variety has two crops.

Breba crop small; fruits large, pyriform, green; pulp amber. Second-crop figs below

medium, turbinate, without neck; stalk medium; pulp coarse in texture, amber; quality

fair.

Verdeal. Described by Mello Leotte (1901) and Bobone (1932), the latter with

illustrations. A Portuguese variety, producing a good second crop in August. Figs

medium, short-pyriform to oblate, with or without short, thick neck; stalk short; color

dark green; pulp carmine; quality fairly good.

Hi ! Regarding Três um Prato description.... I don't know why it was described like this...! I have this variety brought from Portugal and it is nice brown color when it ripe , HUGE fruit, very sweet.

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