The California Brown Turkey Family of Figs

Named after the California Brown Turkey fig variety.

Before diving into the California Brown Turkey fig family, we want to avoid some potential confusion, because the Brown Turkey name is used extensively for other non-related varieties. In particular:

• The English Brown Turkey fig family – an entire class of figs unrelated to the California Brown Turkey. The figs often have a peach, or similar, flavor profile.
• The Southern Brown Turkey fig family – as its name implies, a fig variety commonly grown in the southern US. A much smaller variety.

California Brown Turkey figs are not necessarily grown for their flavor, but for other qualities that make them more ideal for being widely grown commercially. Though CBT is a common fig type, its sweetness, flavor, and size can be improved by caprification.

There are some similarities between the California Brown Turkey varieties and the Brunswick fig family varieties:

• Flavor
• Proclivity to an open ostiole
• Can produce large figs
• Intolerant of rain
• Skin color
• Flesh color

These two families are so similar, people even have a hard time distinguishing between the two. They may as well be grouped into a single family. The big difference between these two families is that CBT fig varieties tend to hold up better to transport, therefore making them much more suitable for commercial production.

Some California Brown Turkey Fig Family Varieties

Many CBT varieties may simply be synonyms for California Brown Turkey. While others may be distinct strains.

Our California Brown Turkey Fig Family Varieties

We have culled all of our CBT varieties, except Watermelon Wine, due to its superior quality.