Picked a few HC today. These were probably the best so far this year. They have been good, but not very rich as of yet.

 

 
Yesterday I had  my first ever Malta Black,  first ever MBVS, and a HC. I didn't take a pic because both the MBVS(9g) and HC (11g) were small and the interior of the MBVS looked sort of dry and not jelly like. I should have though, the taste-off was interesting.  Flavor was won hands down by MBVS, it was great! Everypart of that tiny fig was flavorful, rich, and had a nice lingering berry/figgy aftertaste.  The Malta Black was very good as well, flavor was nice, no syrup..but aside from that the texture of this fig was a home run. The HC wasn't bad, just not as good as the other two.

Congrats, Calvin.  It looks like we are about on the same schedule.  

9/5 = Malta Black (first from a 2 year old tree)
9/8 = Black Bethlehem (first from a 2 year old tree)
9/9 = Malta Black and Salem Dark (first from a 2 year old tree)

Like yours, all were smaller than a quarter.  I shared them with Barbra and the girls.  I do not put too much stock in the taste of early figs.  Malta Black and Black Bethlehem were about the same and very good (especially for being so young).  Salem Dark was good, but not as good as the others and a bit dry.  I have a few more of these  three and Takoma Violet starting to ripen.  Salce, F. Preto, Blk Mad, and Sucrette are swelling, but they've got a little ways to go. Unless H.C. is also putting out small figs this year, it is way behind yours.  I'm not sure if the rest will ripen what I left on the trees.

Thanks James. 
So far, most of my HC have been about 14-15g. The first one was a few grams larger. It seems like my figs that have fruited in the past are about 1-2 weeks later this year.
I just hope this Thursday night doesn't shut the whole operation down for the year! I would have no problem with the weather people being wrong, they are saying 35 degrees. I'll be in and out all night watching for frost, hopefully it will be cloudy and not clear skies. I don't even want to think about covering the vegetable garden yet.

Calvin, the HCs look so good, congrats.

Your HC looks nice!
I had my 1st HC from a small plant.  It was very sweet, jammy  and nice figgy taste that lingered. 

For some reason mine looks a little larger sorry I didn't weigh it?

 

  


  

Calvin

Those look nice. I have MBvs and Malta Black, my HC is a baby. All great figs. Looks like you are enamored of dark figs!

Thanks.
Rafael, I like most any fig that is ripe and not watered down. You are right that most of my figs are dark, but do I have a handful of light figs in my collection. The majority  of my light figs are too young to make fruit.

The HC looks great, I heard that the Natalina from canada is about the same...

Hope you are wrong Eli. 
I just bought Natalina and I was hoping it was the same as the Natalina from Italy also called Tree Volte.  I will follow up with the nursery and see if they tell me their source.

I have 8 of these trees in a hedgerow, it's always been a good fig rain or shine. very little winter dieback and early crops make this a winner for everyone. MvsB is better though I have to agree with you on that. Thats why I have six stand alone MvsB trees lol. my Malta Black ended up being just a malta so I have no comments on malta black. However I hope to find a real malta black this year. I have Natalina but no figs yet I'll have to compare leaves to see if it resembles HC or any other mt etna type I have. Never heard they where similar thanks for the heads up Elin

Pino hi

From grimonut site :

Natalina:

abundant 1" very sweet purple fruit, very reliable annual bearing, does very well in pot culture, a favorite for us

They also list the hardy chicago , as a different cultivar, anyhow from the posts in the forum it ripens with HC

Ill pm you with photo i got from a canadian member.

Thanks Elin!  It looks like Canadian Natalina is not the same Italian Natalina..oh well. 
On the bright side I heard it is a delicious tasting fig.