Barbillone Fig | Comprehensive Variety Review

Many people may not realize that thousands of fig varieties exist. Over the years, I have grown and trialed hundreds of these myself, investing significant time, effort, and money to better understand them—all for the benefit of fig enthusiasts like you.

I’ve created a series of blog posts featuring what I consider 'standard' fig varieties. While there are thousands of varieties in existence, classics like Smith are inexpensive, easy to find, and varieties you ought to know like the back of your hand. You can see my deep dives on other essential varieties in the directory here:

Varietal Traits:

• Origin: Unknown

• Categorization: Bifera

• Similar varieties: White Marseilles, Blanche, Byadi, Italian Honey, Marseilles, Oregon Prolific, St. Anthony, Lattarula, White Ischia & LSU Hollier (JFE)

• Taste grouping: Honey

• Texture: Airy

• Size: Medium

• Ripening period: Early

• Vigor: High

• Rain resistance: Above average

• Shape: Round

• Hang time: Average

• Split resistance: Above average

• Climate preference: Well-adapted

• Hardiness: Higher than Average

• Taste rating: 4.6/5

• Light requirements: Low

• Productivity: High

History & Origin

While its exact historical origin is unknown, Barbillone was brought to prominence by Paully, a respected grower in British Columbia, Canada. Paully relied heavily on this variety for its early ripening and its ability to produce a reliable breba crop in a shorter growing season.

The most fascinating aspect of Barbillone’s history is its purported relationship to White Marseilles. Many veteran growers from the Figs4Fun (F4F) era believe Barbillone is a dark-skinned chimera mutation of White Marseilles.

A chimera occurs when a cell near the apical dome undergoes a mutation—spontaneously or otherwise—causing all subsequent cells divided from it to carry the new genotype. In this case, a branch or bud on a White Marseilles tree likely mutated to produce dark-skinned fruit while retaining many of the parent's core characteristics.

Understanding the Parent: White Marseilles

To understand Barbillone, one must appreciate White Marseilles. This variety is a historical powerhouse:

1. It was famously grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and remains historically significant in American pomology.

2. It is easily identified by its white interior pulp contrasted by brown seeds, its specific ribbing, and leaves with a "sandpapery" texture similar to the Hardy Chicago family.

3. It is the "standard" for honey figs—underrated, hardy, and rain-resistant. It thrives in both humid and dry climates, offering a flavor profile of brown sugar, melon, and honey with a complex, slightly bitter skin.

Growing Characteristics of Barbillone

While the lineage suggests it is a mutation, trialing Barbillone reveals it is much more than just a "dark" version of its parent. It has developed a personality all its own.

1. The "Cloud" Texture

The standout trait of Barbillone is its texture. It is remarkably light and airy—if a cloud could be a fig, it would be this one. The eating experience is a "fluffy" combination of a classic honey fig and a sugar fig. It sits just behind Zaffiro & Marangiana Viola in terms of quality, providing a rich, caramel-like sweetness.

2. Productivity & Resilience

Following in the footsteps of its suspected parent, Barbillone is a "workhorse" variety:

• Breba & Main Crop: It produces a high-quality breba crop followed by an early-ripening main crop, ensuring a long harvest window.

• Hardiness: It has proven to be quite hardy, a trait that made it so successful for Paully in the cooler climate of BC.

3. Distinct Aesthetics

The most obvious deviation from White Marseilles is the skin color. Barbillone trades the pale green/yellow of the parent for a deep, dark exterior. However, the internal contrast—the light, fluffy pulp against the dark skin—makes it one of the most visually striking figs to cut open.