Algerian Chetoui

[Evdurtschi]

This is the first ever fig from my young tree and it was surprisingly good!! It was not caprified and it was a couple of days early as it popped off when I tried to bag it. Nice rich fig with pretty complex flavor. Strawberry and table sugar. The skin was delicious and sweet and added to the overall experience. It also has beautiful leaves.

I have many more figs on this tree and I will definitely update as I try even better ones later this season. This is a keeper!

[Halligan-]

I tried talking my wife into this one...I failed...😂

That looks great!

[RosyPosy]

Yes! I got this one recently on a whim, but wasn’t certain about it. Very happy to hear it’s good

Glad you got to enjoy one!

[MJFIGS]

Looks great. Is this a Bass variety.

[Evdurtschi]

Yes

[SubmarinePete]

Nice! This is the first positive report on this fig that I’ve seen other than from Bass. I didn’t get any figs fro this tree last year but this year I have a lot of figs forming. I’m more hopeful for this fig now, despite being in a much less ideal climate.

[ZomVee]

Sweetness!

*patiently waiting for my tree from Bass….

[ZomVee]

Ya boy's in the Chetoui game now!

[FloraFig]

Well darn! Don't you guys have enough figs in CA already? 😂
I regularly check his page,but no luck so far.

[ZomVee]

FloraFig I'm gonna up-pot it soon and try to squeeze out as much growth as possible. Make a note and hit me up in January for a cutting.

[FloraFig]

ZomVee, awesome! Noted in my planner January 2022: Get Algerian Chetoui from Zomvee STAT

[SubmarinePete]

I just picked my first fig off this tree and this variety is a winner! Beautiful color, super tight eye, and a great berry taste! This is my most pleasant surprise of the year so far.

Video link: Algerian Chetoui (figlife.com)

[Evdurtschi]

Beautiful!

[Evdurtschi]

Here are a few more from the last couple of days.

[SubmarinePete]

I've received a comment on Facebook that this is a late fig. I think the name Chetoui means "winter." I don't know about it being late--its one of the first varieties to ripen for me. Maybe it keeps ripening throughout the year?

[SubmarinePete]

PacNorWreck There are only a handful of main crop figs that have ripened for me so far: RLBV, Hollier, White Triana, Campaniere, and Zaffiro (plus now Algerian Chetoui). I use a greenhouse, so I think that gives them about a one month head start. I can't compare it to my IC because that one is in the ground.

[FloraFig]

Yes, it means winter.

[PacNorWreck]

SubmarinePete awesome thanks. Another one for the watch list, which means decent chance it’ll end up on the wish list eventually!

[SubmarinePete]

It was noted on Facebook that this fig shows a remarkable resemblance to Smith. I didn’t make the connection myself; I don’t remember Smith looking so nice for me but others have posted photos that look similar. Thoughts?

[Evdurtschi]

I actually had that same thought the other day. I see several differences but also a lot of similarities. I should have a few of both ripe today or tomorrow and I’ll do a side by side of them

[SubmarinePete]

There is an interesting discussion on the North African fig group on Facebook where Bass is discussing the origin. I’d repost it, but it’s probably against the group rules since it is a private group. Anyway, the discussion indicates it is called Chetoui in Lebanon and Syria; there was a comment that it is the same as Ima Sattani, Al-Karamus Aldziri, and/or Khabshi in Tunisia. What is the origin of “Smith”? Wasn’t the origin of “Smith” unknown?

[SubmarinePete]

Bass Any thoughts on the similarity to Smith?

[Evdurtschi]

I think I have read that Smith came from Croatia.

That said, I did take a look at both and there are a lot of similarities. Still seeing some differences but I didn’t want to pick too many figs until they’re perfectly ripe.

Lobes seem longer on AC and they have a void in the interior that I’m not sure to seeing. Coloring is very similar though, inside and out and they even have the same feel to the ripe figs. It’s actually quite distinct feeling and that surprised me the most when I noticed it’s similarity w Smith

[SubmarinePete]

Fwiw, the leaves look a little different to me (Smith top 2, AC bottom 2):

[ZomVee]

A little different, but a little similar at the same time.

[RandyK]

Smith is supposed to have come from Croatia.

At at least that’s the story I’ve seen about Smith.

[Evdurtschi]

That’s what it was! I couldn’t remember. Thanks!

[RandyK]

You’re welcome. These Algerian Chetoui look amazing. Thanks for sharing pictures and also the descriptions!

[eboone]

Of course, no one is really sure about the origin of Smith. I believe that the “Croatia” origin was a hypothesis.

[SubmarinePete]

This variety also appears to be a favorite of the birds:
😣😩

[ZomVee]

Can you blame them? That pulp looks amazing.

[Pdiscool]

This one does look nice and juicy keeping my eye on it🧐

[SubmarinePete]

Some new pics of Algerian Chetoui from Aug 4th. This variety has an odd spongy feel to the skin when it is fully ripe. I again thought that this might not have been fully ripe because it wasn't super soft, but it had some honey forming on the eye, so I picked it and cut it open. Beautiful interior!