The Brunswick Family of Figs
Known for its large, sweet figs, the Brunswick family produces some of the largest.
Named after the Brunswick fig variety, varieties from this fig family can get quite large, between billiard ball and tennis ball size. Some compare the flavor to California Brown Turkey, good sweetness, mild berry, and caramel flavor. Skin is brown in color, with red highlights. Interior ranges from amber or light brown sugar color, to some shades of red when more fully ripe. From our experience, Brunswick varieties are not as rich as CBT’s, though they can certainly get closer in warmer and drier climates. They can also be a little watery because of size, so reduced watering during ripening season is critical to help alleviate this. Brunswicks are prolific producers of both breba and main crops, and early to mid-season. Brunswicks tend to have larger ostioles.
Many, myself included, do not consider Brunswick varieties to be worth growing. However, others in drier and warmer climates seem to rate them higher than those in wetter and cooler climates.
Some Brunswick Fig Family Varieties
Our Brunswick Fig Family Varieties
Even though Brunswick varieties can produce some very large, sweet figs, they are prone to large, open ostioles, spoilage from rain & insects, and an insipid flavor profile. The California Brown Turkey fig family varieties offer some of the same benefits of the Brunswick varieties, with less of the cons. Because of this, we have culled all of our Brunswick fig varieties. Instead, we suggest the Watermelon Wine variety, the best CBT variety we have tested. A second alternative may be Grise Olivette. Though the figs are not nearly as large, they have a far superior flavor profile. If merely looking for large figs, Constantine de Algerie is far superior to any Brunswick.
