Teramo has become one of my favorite fig varieties. Not only for performance, but also for flavor. Its one downside is an unproven higher degree of hardiness. Teramo would make an excellent choice for anyone in a shorter or mild climate wanting the amazing eating experience that late varieties can provide. I consider it a must-grow in the PNW or places like the UK.
Teramo is an unknown fig tree BigBill from OffTheBeatenPath Nursery found growing at a home in Maryland that has a lineage tracing back to Teramo in Italy. At this home, he found a large tree planted in the ground, unprotected, with a very early ripening main crop.
Because of BigBill and others, Teramo has become a fairly widespread variety among collectors. Yet, I find that few of them appreciate Teramo for what it's really worth. In 2023 and 2024, it consistently produced some of the best figs I ate all year.
When BigBill visited my orchard in 2023, he was shocked to see firsthand how red the interior of my Teramo figs was. The truth is, they've been red for years, and every time they ripen, they're that color. As a result, a corresponding berry flavor is the dominant flavor profile that actually has some acidity, unlike most unpollinated figs. Teramo is not a sugar or honey fig. It has one of the strongest berry flavors of any fig I grow (rivaling some of the late varieties).
As for its growing characteristics, Teramo is extremely early, as BigBill originally discovered, ripening the main crop as early as possible. It also produces a light breba crop when the one-year-old wood can be preserved. I'd also categorize it as one of the best fig varieties for drying on the tree, among others like Nerucciolo d'Elba, Marseillaise, and Verdino del Nord.
Because of its extremely short hang time, they dry on the tree nearly every time here in my humid Philadelphia area climate. Combining its consistently high fruit quality with its strong berry flavor, its eating experience is top-tier, rivaling the eating qualities of Smith and Campaniere.
Unfortunately, the winter of 24-25 was not kind to my Teramo tree. It suffered major winter dieback. I was very surprised to see this, considering where BigBill originally found it. However, as I've discussed many times, just because one Teramo tree did not fare well during a bad winter, it doesn't mean it isn't hardy. In 2025, I planted a second tree for testing in a different location.
Over the years, similar varieties with different names have been introduced, like Nebo, Brandon St. Unk, and Brown Sugar Crunch. I believe all of these are synonyms.
Unk Teramo Fig Cuttings (3 Cuttings Per Order)
Why choosing the right fig variety matters
Choosing the right fig variety can make all the difference in so many positive or even negative ways. A variety that is well suited to your climate and taste preferences will ensure that your getting the fig experience that you deserve.
It's heartbreaking when you put years of work into a tree to finally realize that it's just not suited to your location because it will rarely produce high quality figs and in some cases, may never produce fruit that's even edible!
Fig varieties are very location specific because they're so highly subjected to their environment while they're ripening. Unlike many other fruits, the fig can be destroyed in its final ripening stage. It's a soft fruit that can absorb water into its skin causing cracking, splitting, mold & fermentation all because the inside of the fruit gets exposed to the outside elements of nature.
An apple has a hard covering. A persimmon has a hard covering. Berries and other soft fleshed fruits are also susceptible to bad weather conditions, but they have a short window of time in which they're soft and ready to be picked. Figs can be soft hanging on the tree for 5, 10 or even 15 days!
How to choose the right fig variety for your climate
When choosing a fig variety, it's important to consider the climate in your area during the winter, summer and fall.
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Some fig varieties are more tolerant of cold weather and others can be grown in climates that have mild summers because of their reliable breba production or their early main crop harvest period.
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Others are better suited for humid climates because they don't need to hang as long on the tree and they have a skin that acts like a waterproof jacket. The water just slides right off.
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Others are better suited to warmer climates and have the ability to taste incredible even in 100-110F temperatures.
If you want fig variety recommendations, read through the description of each fig variety carefully, or better yet, don't be afraid to contact me. In your message, include your growing zone, location, annual rainfall, and how you want to grow them.
To read more about choosing the right fig variety, click here:
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