Smith fig –umami flavored?

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AltadenaMara

Registered:1422990132
Posts: 375

Posted 1457750075 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

Does the Smith fig have a umami taste to it? I have two Smith trees but they haven’t produced figs yet. Ben B. has a video on YouTube called “Smith Fig” where he eats two Smith figs and describes the taste as “umami”. I had never heard of “umami” and Googling came up with the info that: “Umami (oo-Ma-mee) has joined sweet, sour, salty and bitter as an accepted taste.” “Marmite turns out to be a rich source of what we now know as umami.” http://tulsafood.com/uncategorized/umami-the-science-ingredients-cooking-with-the-fifth-taste/ I tasted some Marmite I have in the fridge for cooking and it possibly could be a very subtle taste with some figs. Has anyone else noticed this? __________________ Mara Southern California Zone 1990= 9b 2012= 10a 2020=?

levar

Registered:1392366658
Posts: 195

Posted 1457759512 · Edited	Reply with quote #2

TL;DR: Umami is kind of like, the idea of "savory." Parmigiano Reggiano, anchovies, mushrooms, lamb, and marmite. None of those things taste alike yet they all contribute an element of "umami" much in the same way that vinegar, lime, and tamarind, etc. will contribute sourness while tasting nothing alike. Personally, I think the ostiole end of some Black Missions have an umami thing going on that's sorta in the family of parmigiano reggiano in terms of flavor profile. I definitely see how umami can be applied to figs; kind of sweet and umami in varying proportions. __________________ Wishlist Figs: Fiaschetta lunga di Campagnola, Unk Pastiliere, Cajun Gold, Marangiana, Rigato del Salento, Black Ischia, St. Rita, Dottato d'Élia, Watt's Zingarella, Zidi, Macool, 187-25, Peter's Honey, Peloponnisiaka aspra sika, and Martinenca Rimada. Atemoya: Geffner

elin

Registered:1360863025
Posts: 1,272

Posted 1457772601	Reply with quote #3

Tried to get it but no luck this year. Seems like this variety is not in europe-middle east yet. __________________ Eli ,Israel ,Zone 10? Too humid and hot, yada yada yada https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1298814119 Growing: Sbayi, Hmadi, Black Portugal, Black Brazil,Excell, Flanders, Hmari , RDB, Niagra Black,Natalina, CDDN,Maya, Preto Torres, Preto Arge

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1457798430	Reply with quote #4

I would not agree with the umami assessment at all. Smith are fragrant, fruity, and rich. I would not call any of those umami. If any fig borders on umami, I would say it is Preto, due to an almost "smoky" hint in the background. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

levar

Registered:1392366658
Posts: 195

Posted 1457799560 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by rafaelissimmo I would not agree with the umami assessment at all. Smith are fragrant, fruity, and rich. I would not call any of those umami. If any fig borders on umami, I would say it is Preto, due to an almost "smoky" hint in the background. Hmm. I see how "sweet" alone (or fruity, etc.) can apply to a selection of figs, but fragrant + rich and umami aren't mutually exclusive. While I agree that umami alone is absolutely not right for figs, the "nuttiness" people describe when talking about the seeds of caprified figs definitely qualifies as umami. (I also stand by saying there's umami in the ostiole-end of dense, over-ripe, slightly withered yet firm Black Missions. So good.) Just my take on it, though. Also, I realize that I might be over-inferring from what you said, lol. I have no opinion regarding Smith and umami, but clearly I have a ton of opinions on food eyeroll __________________ Wishlist Figs: Fiaschetta lunga di Campagnola, Unk Pastiliere, Cajun Gold, Marangiana, Rigato del Salento, Black Ischia, St. Rita, Dottato d'Élia, Watt's Zingarella, Zidi, Macool, 187-25, Peter's Honey, Peloponnisiaka aspra sika, and Martinenca Rimada. Atemoya: Geffner

binbin9

Registered:1387923330
Posts: 220

Posted 1457877155 · Edited	Reply with quote #6

Hi its Ben, First off thanks for watching the video. Sometimes I wonder if anyone's ever actually watching my videos lol. But I do fig videos because I enjoy figs and want to share my passion for them. For me, when I say umami about the Smith fig, it's more of the lingering rich almost buttery taste that I get from the smith. Most of that flavor comes from the syconium. It's like the same sensation and after taste of eating a piece of werthers caramel candy in your mouth. Not to the same intensity but similar. That sweet slightly savory taste is what I was trying to describe as umami. I think it's a great fig and does well in seattle. I'm still waiting for my Preto and and bm to bear fruit. Based on most accounts those have a spectacular taste even better than Smith. __________________ Renton, WA My Seattle Garden Blog \| Fig Addiction WISH LIST: Genovese Nero Rafeds \| UCR 187-25 \| Black Tuscan \| Black Triana \| Jack Lilly \| Barbillone \| St Rita \| Tauro \| Jin Ao Fen \| Lampeira Preto \| Any fig over 100grams =)

DaveL

Registered:1418927587
Posts: 247

Posted 1457881173 · Edited	Reply with quote #7

Ben, can't speak for the rest of the community, but I watch and enjoy your videos on this and the other forums as well. Also visited your blogs. Keep the information flowing. __________________ Dave Waterford, Ct. Zone 6B

binbin9

Registered:1387923330
Posts: 220

Posted 1457888361	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by DaveL Ben, can't speak for the rest of the community, but I watch and enjoy your videos on this and the other forums as well. Also visited your blogs. Keep the information flowing. Thanks Dave. __________________ Renton, WA My Seattle Garden Blog \| Fig Addiction WISH LIST: Genovese Nero Rafeds \| UCR 187-25 \| Black Tuscan \| Black Triana \| Jack Lilly \| Barbillone \| St Rita \| Tauro \| Jin Ao Fen \| Lampeira Preto \| Any fig over 100grams =)

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1457891115	Reply with quote #9

Me too Ben... __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1457919367	Reply with quote #10

Smith is by far, one of the best tasting fig out there! Absolutely amazing!!! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

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