The most cultivated variety in my District-
Over 90% of all fig trees in southern Portugal are white Côtios.
A Common large pale fig, already producing figs in the Middle Age.
Soon found to be highly improved if associated with the wild Caprifig and be moderately pollinated.
As a result Côtios become quite large fruit, with red and syrupy pulps full of crunchy seeds, sweet and flavored.
Another useful particularity is the capacity to stick to their branches where it dries waiting for pick-up.

             

Francisco

francisco, 

i definitely have zone envy here.. those figs are amazing. the very best figs i had this season don't even come close to what you have there. 

wonderful.
you are KILLNIG us!!
;o)

Wow, that all I can say. That is Beautiful, I am in Love...LOL

Francisco , growing up in Madeira cotios were the most common dry fig we had in the market and I remember certain times of year during the festa do Espírito Santo eating lots of these.

They look really good fresh another plant I lost sadly over winter.

Thanks for posting them
Francisco

Francisco,

With all of the other incredible Portuguese fig varieties that you have shown us, what in particular about this variety makes it so widely grown? 
Quality?
Productivity?
Size? (how big are they)
Drying on tree?
Ability to be dried easily?

Thanks!

wow, I have never seen figs drying on the tree UNDISTURBED, just amazing.
Thanks for the postings Francisco.

Thank you all for your commenting.

Pete,
This particular variety needs much sun-hours and heat to grow and ripen as on the pics.
It should grow nicely in California and be as nice or even better as it's shown.

Greg,
Too bad, the prohibition of scion trading..But I believe that somewhere in the US there may be a lost or abandoned tree..?

Armando,
That's very nice of you.. If you done those Zidi's you would do this one, as it shows.Easy !
I see you have dreams.. occasionaly!

Nelson,
Years back there were not much difference in the rural life habits in Madeira or the 'Continente'.
People would rely on the dry figs as a good source of protein supplement during the winter months. Cotios are the ideal figs to dry and store, seasoned with that famous herb (funcho) so abundant in Madeira and to give the name to the Islands capital.
If you had the pollinator there, then, there would be another one as we do in Portugal (Inchário Preto). This black Smyrna, when dried and seasoned with 'fennel' is 3 points above the côtios. A superior dry fig !..local price is always about double that of the white fig.

Ed,
This fig was the backbone of the Portuguese dry fig exports for centuries.. since the Middle Ages, particularly to Northern and Central Europe, later to the USA
This lasted until the mid of the XX century. There were many fig farms and the great majority would grow the Côtio figs.. this I hope responds to your question.

Francisco

Francisco,

I'm sorry to resurrect this old topic. May I ask you for some more details on what the Côtio fig tree looks like, perhaps even a photo of the leaves? Are there any distinctive features apart from the fruits? I will be in Faro for the next months and I'm trying to figure out what some of the abandoned trees nearby are.
Thanks,

Duarte

Thank you very much! I will take advantage of the holiday tomorrow to have a good look around, maybe even take some cuttings of these old roadside trees.

Where are you exactly? I am located in Huelva, Spain and can maybe also recommend some places to look, since I drive fairly regularly to Faro to pick up friends/family from the airport ;)

edit
I also know of one nursery near Faro who sells this variety, I think!

I'm in Faro, in the city centre. Any advise would be appreciated, maybe we can share notes. You can send me a PM if you wish.