Honey & Sugar Fig Trees for Sale
Honey figs are "higher in melon flavor, accompanied by honey-like sugars and nectar." Sugar figs have "melon undertones, dried fruit 'figgy' flavor, and often unique sugars.
Honey and Sugar Figs: The Classic Fig Experience
Most fig varieties widely available in the U.S. fall into the Sugar or Honey flavor profiles. Honey figs emphasize a syrupy sweetness, and sugar figs offer a milder, caramelized taste. Keep in mind that flavor profiles are guidelines, not strict rules. Growing conditions, harvest timing and pollination all change how a fig tastes.
Honey Figs
Honey figs often look like they're filled with honey. When fully ripe, many develop a translucent, golden nectar that pools inside and can seep out of the eye as a "drop of honey." They don't taste like bee honey. Expect melon, dried fruit and floral notes, with sugars that range from agave and brown sugar to cotton candy. More in my guides to honey figs and fruity honey figs.
Sugar Figs
Sugar figs are the most straightforward expression of what a fig tastes like: sweet, floral and fragrant, with a stronger dried-fruit, "figgy" flavor than the other profiles. Let them ripen fully. Most growers pick too early and miss that dried-fruit flavor. This page also includes the Sugar Berry figs, which add a light berry note such as strawberry or Concord grape. Read more about sugar figs and sugar berry figs.
Where I'd Start
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Kadota (Dottato, Peter's Honey): the oldest commercial fig, a classic honey fig that's still excellent a little underripe.
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White Marseilles: an underrated honey fig made popular by Thomas Jefferson.
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Barbillone: right up there with the best honey figs I've had, with an airy texture.
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Celeste: the classic sugar fig, once even called the "Sugar" fig.
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Moro de Caneva: classic fig flavor with a mild berry note that intensifies as it dries.
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Little Ruby: let the small figs shrivel on the tree for an intense dried-fruit flavor.
Not sure which profile you'll like? Start with what do figs taste like?, browse my fig flavor profiles, or compare with my berry fig trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a honey fig?
A fig that often looks like it's filled with honey. When fully ripe, many develop a translucent, golden nectar inside. They don't taste like bee honey. They blend melon, dried fruit and floral flavors with sugars like agave, brown sugar and cotton candy.
What is a sugar fig?
The most straightforward expression of what a fig tastes like: sweet, floral and fragrant, with melon undertones and a stronger dried-fruit, "figgy" flavor than other profiles.
What's the difference between honey and sugar figs?
Honey figs emphasize a syrupy sweetness and nectar, while sugar figs offer a milder, caramelized taste with more dried-fruit flavor. The two profiles overlap, and growing conditions change how each one tastes.
Is Celeste a sugar fig?
Yes. The original Celeste is the classic sugar fig and was even once called the "Sugar" fig. When it fully ripens on the tree, it picks up a hint of Concord grape, so I think it fits best as a Sugar Berry fig.
Is Kadota a honey fig?
Yes. Kadota, also known as Dottato and Peter's Honey, is a classic honey fig with rich, jammy pulp.
Why don't my figs taste very sweet?
Usually they were picked too early. Dried-fruit flavor gets stronger as figs dry on the tree, and growing conditions and harvest timing change flavor too.
Every variety on this page (Honey & Sugar Fig Trees): Barbillone · Black Mission · Brianzolo Rosso · Brooklyn White · Burgan Unk · Carmelitana · Celeste · Chios Yellow · Columbaro Nero · Constantine d’Algerie · Da Ponte de Quarteira · Dall’Oso · De Tres Esplets · Desert King · English Brown Turkey / Olympian · Fico ISA · Filacciano Bianco / Norman’s Yellow · Florea / Michurinska 10 · Golden Rainbow / Yellow Long Neck / Long Yellow · Grise de St. Jean · Hunt · ICON (Improved Celeste O’Rourke Not) · Improved Celeste · Iride · Izmir Beyaz Incir · Kadota / Dottato / Peter’s Honey · Koura Black · La Magdeleine · Laghel · Lampeira Preta · Little Ruby · Longue d’Aout · LSU Champagne · LSU Hollier · LSU O’Rourke · LSU Purple · LSU Tiger · Marangiana Viola · Marseillaise · Montalcino Rosso · Moro de Caneva / Figo Moro da Caneva · Moscatel Preto · Nin ZS · Osborne Prolific / Godfather · Patlican · Pel de Bou · Pied de Boeuf · Rome Unk · Rosa Esmeralda · Salam Piacentino · Salce · Sefrawi · Silvano · Sucrette / Cul Noir · Sultane · Torbole / Verte e Arte / Fico Lungo di Portogallo · Tre Volte Nero · Val Camonica Long Green / Verdino Valsessia · Verdolino · White Marseilles · Zaffiro