A Guide to the 10 Most Common Types of Figs
Dive into what each kind of fig looks and tastes like — and when and where to find them.
Matt Armendariz
By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen
Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network
Fresh, ripe figs are a sweet and juicy seasonal treat. But there are thousands of varieties, each with its own look, feel and flavor profile. To help us create a guide to different common and popular types of figs, we consulted Karla Stockli, CEO of the California Fig Advisory Board, and Michael McConkey, founder-owner of Edible Landscaping in Afton, Virginia. For more info on figs in general, head over to our story What Is a Fig?.
Matt Armendariz
Adriatic Figs
Appearance: They range in color from pale green to pale yellow, and are sometimes so pale they’re called white figs. When the exterior is pale green with white stripes, they’re called candy-striped figs. Adriatic figs have a bright red interior.
Flavor: They’re robust and sweet in flavor with floral, honeyed notes.
Seasonality: They’re typically harvested in June and in August. They are a popular variety in colder regions due to their hardy nature. In winter months, Adriatic figs must be grown indoors in pots.
Matt Armendariz
Black Mission Figs
Appearance: They have a dark purple and black skin and a light pink interior.
Flavor: They have a deep earthy flavor. When dried Black Mission Figs are blended with savory ingredients, such as salt, cocoa and spices, they can produce a smoky, almost steak-like aroma and taste.
Seasonality: Grown in California, they are available fresh mid-May through November and dried year-round.
Matt Armendariz
Brown Turkey Figs (Also Known as Turkish Brown Figs)
Appearance: Brown Turkey figs’ skin range in color from purple to black and can sometimes have flecks of green that blend into the purple. Inside, Brown Turkey figs have light pink flesh.
Flavor: Robust in flavor, they’re not as sweet as Mission figs.
Seasonality: Brown Turkey figs are available only fresh, from mid-May through November. This is another popular and widely available variety that is grown in California.
Calimyrna Figs
Appearance: These large figs have a light green, yellow skin and a striking pink interior.
Flavor: They have a delicate flavor with nutty notes. Calimyrna figs can be consumed fresh or dried; when dried, they turn golden in color.
Seasonality: Grown in California, these figs are in season from June to September.
Celeste Fig (Also Known as the Sugar Fig)
Appearance: These small figs have a skin that is rose to violet in color and possess bright pink flesh.
Flavor: They have a sweet fig flavor and chewy texture.
Seasonality: Grown in Virginia, Celeste figs have one main crop that usually begins in mid-August and lasts about a month.
Kadota Figs
Appearance: Kadota figs have a skin that ranges from bright green to light amber and an interior that ranges from pink to light brown.
Flavor: These figs are less sweet than other varieties, making them well-suited to baking or turning into jam.
Seasonality: These figs are grown in California and available fresh mid-June through August and dried year-round.
Marseille Fig
Appearance: This fig variety was reportedly brought from France to Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia, by Thomas Jefferson. Marseille figs are characterized by a greenish-yellow skin and pale amber-hued flesh.
Flavor: These figs are very sweet.
Seasonality: In Virginia, McConkey says that this fig ripens between mid-August until frost, though long, hot and sunny days yield the best tasting figs.
Sierra Figs
Appearance: The skin of a Sierra is a beautiful pale green that offers a stunning visual contrast to its pale pink interior.
Flavor: Its fresh, sweet flavor is like that of a sweet Riesling wine.
Seasonality: This variety is grown in California and available fresh from June to November and dried year-round.
Tena Figs
Appearance: The Tena fig has a pale, yellow skin with a light brown interior.
Flavor: They are mild in taste with a medium-sweet flavor that is concentrated during the drying process.
Seasonality: This variety is grown in California only for dried fig production and is available year-round.
Tiger Figs
Appearance: They have a striking appearance with a skin that is light yellow with dark green stripes and a bright, red-purple interior.
Flavor: Besides their distinct fig flavor, Tiger figs have a fruity, raspberry, citrus flavor profile that is reminiscent of a California sparkling rosé
Seasonality: These figs are grown in California and are only available fresh from mid-July through November.
17 Easy Ways to Make the Most of Your Fresh Figs 20 Photos
You’ve waited all year for them — so don’t let a single one go to waste.
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