Breba vs. Main Crop Figs | The Tale of Two Crops

The best season for figs is nearly here: the California fig season. The California season is often the most anticipated time of year for fresh figs in the US. Before diving into the jammy deliciousness that the season offers, it’s best to understand the availability throughout the season.

The Tale of Two Crops

Certain varieties of fig trees produce two different crops: one crop from the previous year’s growth and one crop from the new growth.

The first crop, known as the Breba Crop (from the Spanish word Breva) typically begins late-June to early July out of California. It’s important to know that not all fig trees produce breba supplies, only specific varieties. During the California season, the Breba Crop includes black mission figs and brown turkey figs. Breba figs typically brix lower than Main Crop figs and are known to have a shorter shelf-life.

Supplies produced during the Main Crop are typically ready for harvest roughly 30-45 days after the Breba Crop. These figs are grown from the new growth and take longer to ripen, maximizing shelf-life for retail sales. The Main Crop also produces more varieties than the Breba, like sierra, kadota, and tiger stripe. Black mission and brown turkey figs are also produced during the Main Crop, transitioning to new growth after their Breba season ends.

The Varieties of the California Fig Season

The California figs season produces 5 varieties during its peak, all with slightly different uses.

Black Mission

Black mission figs are one of the most common fig varieties around the world. While there are counter-season supplies of black mission out of Mexico and Peru, California supply is typically seen as the crème de la crop. Black missions out of California are sweet and jam-like. In both the Breba and Main crop, they are commonly available in both retail and clamshell packs.

Brown Turkey

Brown turkey figs are available in both the Breba and Main crop. They are sweet like a black mission, but their flavor is known to have nuttier undertones.

Kadota

Kadota figs are only available during the main crop of the California fig season. They are most famous for being used in Fig Newton bars but are a great overall baking fig due to their lack of seeds.

Sierra

Sierra figs were developed by the University of California in 2005 and have creamy pale pink interior. Because they are mildly sweet, much like Riesling wine, they are very well suited for charcuterie trays from the deli.

Tiger Stripe

Tiger stripe figs are striking – literally. Their skin has yellow and green striations and vibrant red flesh. Tiger stripes do not dry well and are primarily used fresh, which suits their interior and exterior appearance.

When is a fig ripe?

There are two ways to know whether a fig is ripe or unripe. First is by looking at the small ‘eye’ on the bottom of the fig. If the fig is ripe, the eye will be slightly separated. If the eye is closed, the fig will likely never fully ripen. The second indicator is the tenderness of the fig. Figs can be used when they are tender but still firm but are considered fully when they are tender to the touch.