Black Madeira 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 find my deep dives on other essential varieties in the directory here:

Growing Characteristics

• Origin: Unknown

• Categorization: Unifera / Common

• Similar varieties: Violetta (Lampo), Black Tuscan, Cravin's Craving, Figo Preto, Madeira Island Black, Pota de Cavall, Black Portuguese (BC)

• Taste grouping: Berry

• Texture: Jammy/Syrupy

• Size: Medium

• Ripening period: Late season

• Vigor: Average

• Rain resistance: Average

• Shape: Urceolado

• Hang time: Average

• Split resistance: Very Low

• Climate preference: Dry/Long season climates

• Hardiness: Above average

• Taste rating: 4.8/5

• Light requirements: Average

• Productivity: High

History & Origin

Black Madeira’s fame exploded around 2008 with the rise of online fig-growing communities like Figs4Fun and Gardenweb. The variety was originally introduced to the hobby from the USDA's collection at UC Davis, back when the repository’s cuttings were still available to the public rather than exclusively to registered nurseries.

Among the many varieties imported by the USDA, Black Madeira consistently topped taste tests, cementing its status as the "gold standard" of fig flavor in the US.

Today, Black Madeira remains highly regarded and is even being grown commercially. While its exact origins on the island of Madeira remain a mystery, respected Portuguese grower Lampo believes it matches a variety known in Portugal as Violeta. After looking at photos of each, I agree. They certainly match.

The Flavor: Why Growers Obsess

Black Madeira is the yardstick by which all other figs are measured. Its eating experience has two main things going for it:

1. Intense Berry Notes: Complex, good acid/sweetness balance, tasting of strawberries and raspberries.

2. Syrupy Sweetness: High sugar content, often with lots of fig nectar pooling in the void or dripping from the eye.

While Black Madeira does not require pollination, caprification can take the eating experience to new heights.

The Challenges: A "Heartbreaking" Beauty

If you're serious about growing figs and trialing fig varieties, Black Madeira must be on your list. However, it's one of the most difficult varieties to grow successfully due to three major hurdles:

1. Late Ripening

Black Madeira is a late-season variety, often requiring significantly more than the standard 90 days to ripen after fruit set. In climates with low heat units (like the PNW, UK, or Northeastern US), it is very difficult to ripen without a greenhouse or a head start.

2. Severity of Fig Mosaic Virus (FMV)

Historically, the USDA source of Black Madeira was heavily infected with FMV, leading to stunted growth, difficulty establishing, and poor performance. This led to the popularity of the "BM (KK)" strain, sourced from a hobbyist named KK, which is known for being significantly more vigorous with far less severity of the virus.

Note: While genetically identical to the USDA version, the KK source is healthier. However, you can "reset" a struggling USDA tree through rejuvenation pruning to achieve the same vigor.

3. Poor Split Resistance

This is the variety's biggest flaw. Due to the shape of the fruit and an eye that often points toward the sky during swelling, it is highly susceptible to rain damage. There have been numerous growing seasons in my humid climate, where I have only harvested 10% of the crop in good condition.

Similar Varieties:

Because Black Madeira was so popular in the early days of the online fig hobby, many names cropped up for the same variety. Also known as a synonym. Unfortunately, some were out of nefarious intent. Those days of naming fig varieties really were the wild, wild west. Anything goes.

So here are some of the identical varieties or nearly identical varieties: Black Tuscan, Cravin's Craving, Figo Preto, Madeira Island Black, Pota de Cavall, Black Portuguese (BC). Always do your research beforehand.

Alternative Varieties

Black Madeira is hard to find and always in high demand. Depending on your climate or what's currently available, you may want an alternative variety with a similar eating experience.

The following varieties are not synonyms.

• Bourjassotte Noire / Violette de Sollies - A commercial fig variety widely grown in France, but with better rain and split resistance. Produces high-quality and good-tasting figs even in colder fall weather.

• Noire de Barbentane - According to the highly respected French nurseryman Baud, this strain of Bourjassotte Noire ripens two weeks earlier and is more rain resistant.

• Calderona / Calderona de Miner - From Monserrat Pons' collection in Spain. Better shaped to deal with moisture as its eye is more protected.

  
  
  
  

• Colonel Littman's Black Cross - Found growing in Gainesville, Florida, and was originally introduced by Just Fruits and Exotics Nursery. Ripens about 10 days earlier than Black Madeira. The figs are more elongated. Some are even pyriforme. CLBC will ripen faster on the tree with much better split resistance.

• Italian 258 - Introduced by Todd Kennedy. One of many Italian varieties he imported to the US. Superior for its high-quality breba production. May ripen a week earlier.

• Others - Nuestra Senyora del Carmen, Brocalet, & Sant Augusti.

Photos of Black Madeira