This Ripe Fig Tree Variety is So Good!

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their fig-growing journey, focusing on several fig trees in their orchard. They discuss the history of a beloved fig variety, 'Jim Wilson,' which was passed down from a neighbor. The creator showcases ripe figs from various trees, including the Italian honey and Tacoma Violet varieties. With a casual, hands-on approach, they explore the ups and downs of fig cultivation, including challenges like deer munching on fruit. The video ends with a fig tasting session with the creator's daughters, highlighting the sweet, honey-like flavors of the figs grown in their Pacific Northwest orchard.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fig orchard is still active, despite less focus on it this year, with figs growing and ripening.
• 😀 The Jim Wilson fig tree, originally found across the street, is a key part of the fig orchard and has been thriving for several years.
• 😀 The Jim Wilson fig tree produces figs consistently throughout the summer, and the latest batch shows fully ripe figs ready for tasting.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal story about the Jim Wilson fig, which was originally planted by Jim Wilson's parents and has sentimental value.
• 😀 Despite the orchard's appearance needing maintenance, the fig trees, such as Celeste, are still producing figs, though some have faced challenges due to harsh weather.
• 😀 The speaker highlights their best-performing fig tree this year—Tacoma Violet—which has a lot of fruit but has yet to fully ripen.
• 😀 The Italian Honey fig tree has just started ripening some figs, though they're still small and not fully ripe yet.
• 😀 The speaker also talks about the Day Trace Blitz variety and how it’s produced a lot of figs, though the deer have eaten some unripe ones.
• 😀 A family fig tasting event takes place, where the speaker and their daughters try figs from the Jim Wilson, Italian Honey, and Laterula varieties.
• 😀 The importance of picking figs at the right time is emphasized, as figs that are picked too early can taste less sweet and less developed in flavor.

Q & A

Why does the author refer to the fig tree as 'Jim Wilson'?

The fig tree is named 'Jim Wilson' because the author received it from Jim Wilson, a person who introduced the tree to the author many years ago. The tree is a sentimental reminder of Jim, even though its variety is unknown.

What is unique about the fig tree across the road from the author's property?

The fig tree across the road, which Jim Wilson introduced to the author, has been growing for around 50 or 60 years and is particularly suited to the Puget Sound region, as it ripens well in the area.

What are the characteristics of the 'Jim Wilson' fig's fruit?

The 'Jim Wilson' fig produces small, sweet fruit with a berry and honey-like flavor. It has an open eye, and when fully ripe, it is extremely sweet. The tree tends to produce figs continuously throughout the summer.

What is the 'Tacoma Violet' fig tree and how does it compare to other trees in the orchard?

The 'Tacoma Violet' is a fig tree that the author considers to be the most impressive in their orchard. It is doing particularly well this year, despite being a young tree. It produces a good amount of fruit, and the author hopes it will ripen with the ongoing heat.

What happened to the author's Celeste fig tree?

The author's Celeste fig tree had one side die back due to a weird winter. Additionally, some figs died off completely, including a 'Cavalier' variety from Keith Karusky, which is now gone.

How did the author feel about the deer eating their figs?

The author expressed frustration over the deer eating the figs, especially when they consumed the unripe figs before they could ripen. The author has considered building a foot fence to protect the figs.

What types of figs does the author taste in the video?

In the video, the author tastes three types of figs: the 'Jim Wilson' fig, the 'Italian Honey' fig, and a 'Tacoma Violet' fig.

What is the significance of the 'Italian Honey' fig in the script?

The 'Italian Honey' fig is a variety that the author has been growing for a while. While it isn't the biggest fig in the orchard, it has started ripening figs and is becoming a reliable producer, despite some minor dieback.

Why does the author like chilled figs?

The author enjoys chilled figs because they prefer the texture and taste when they are cool, as opposed to room-temperature figs.

What advice does the author give about harvesting figs?

The author advises harvesting figs when they are fully ripe, as they are much sweeter and tastier at that point. Picking them too early results in a less flavorful, watered-down taste.