Madeira Island Black vs Figo Preto and Black Madeira

[Evdurtschi]

I am in the camp of those that believe that MIB is different. Mine grows more aggressively and the figs are significantly larger, for the most part, and they have a different texture that is lighter and far more syrupy.

The larger figs are MIB and the smaller ones are one of the other BM types. One pic has 2 open figs, the left is MIB and shows all the syrup and the one on the right is BM

This is my third year with this variety and it has consistently shown larger and more syrupy figs.

Just to make this clear. I am NOT saying one is better than the other. They are both among my favorites. I just see significant differences in MIB vs the other BM types and all of those appear to be the same to me. I have BM, BMKK, CC, Figo Preto, Black Tuscan and another BM type and they all look and taste pretty much the same. They may be different but, in my climate, they are similar enough to be considered redundant

[JoePAFig]

They are all so similar in appearance. Aside from texture and syrup, are the flavors you perceive vastly different? I don't have Black Madeira, but I should be able to compare Madeira Island Black and Fico Preto this season

[Evdurtschi]

They are very similar. MIB has a lighter flavor and is less intense. Both are excellent but BM is more concentrated.

[Bellefleurs]

Dear G-D....I am feeling lightheaded.
Eric, you have DONE IT AGAIN.
MOST BEAUTIFUL FIG PHOTOS EVER!!!!
Seriously.
I also tend to agree with you....I am growing all of the BM "synonyms" along with MIB and so far, MIB grows more aggressively, is earlier and the figs are larger...definitely more syrupy.
My BMKK figs do seem to have more intense flavor but we have had a lot of rain lately so it's difficult for me to tell this early on.
This one is a must have fig in my opinion.
Thank you for sharing

[swethakyadav]

How much earlier is MIB ? I did get one last week but want to know what to expect.

[Evdurtschi]

Thank you! :-)

[acerpictum]

Fan-tastic! This is the highest standard for all fig qualities - ripeness, size, color, photo quality. The taste can only be guessed at! Thank you!

[Netstars]

I am trialing several of the varieties you mentioned right now.
I ripened Figo Preto without a head start last year.
I did have it in a nice microclimate against a south facing wall.
I have BM Encanto, Mario #50 and Black Tuscan all with figs this year.
Should be interesting.
I have never grown a fig with as much syrup as your beauties!
😋

[cvarcher]

As usual, Eric kills it again. They are beautiful. And I bet the taste matches theie looks. I just have Figo Preto and Cravens Craving BUT, this is finally the year I get to taste my first ones and compare those two. They will be uncrapified and in pots done up in NY. Stay tuned.

[cvarcher]

One thing I find is that the taste of Cravens Craving , Figo Preto Genovese nero and Noir de Barbentane are very similar in that they have this cherry like brown sugar background flavor along with the syrupy sweet nectar. The NDB was the driest but largest by far. And Capoll Curt negra had a very distinctive orange like sweetness.

[bkkchris]

Those MIB have got to be the most insanely syrupy figs I have seen. Wow. Figo Preto has been pumping them out the last week or so down here in LA, but BMKK and CC are still weeks away for me. Which is kinda weird because last season they were all pretty close... Figo Preto has still been my strongest of the three just in general, but flavor wise, yeah all seem pretty much the same. Gotta try MIB now, I am a sucker for a bigger fig, and if its even close to the flavor of the others, that's a winner! And here I am trying to get rid of trees!

[Evdurtschi]

Only the best, most syrupy, tastiest, prettiest… survive!!! That’s my motto here in Figlandia. 😂

[mwhight34]

So much syrup! I’ve been eating Violetas off an on for two weeks but nothing as good looking as these my problem is that I pick them too early out of excitement 😅

[Evdurtschi]

The only way I can wait long enough is when there are lots of other figs ready to go. Early in the season, I am too excited and pick everything too soon

[Simongrow]

Damn you Eric, damn you, lol!!!

Simon

[It Could use another day]

wonder how high the bids will go for this one now lol.

[Evdurtschi]

The good news is that this has been around for several years so it should be pretty easy to grab one without breaking the bank

[swethakyadav]

MIB is not expensive. I picked up one on figbid for 42$ last week.

[GuyA]

My head is spinning! Is this what I am in for? My collection started on Father's Day 2021. I-258, Chicago Hardy, Figo Preto, Fico Palazzo. Plus I won a drawing of a Norella give away. Thanks WiFigger!
GuyA
St Augustine Fl.
Zone 9A

[TheMillennialGardener]

Do you pour maple syrup inside your figs before you photograph them? It's just mindblowing. I've never seen anything like that. My figs here in NC are like water balloons

[Evdurtschi]

Most varieties don't do this. MIB and Socorro Black are just amazing here and so full of honey. I love it!

[TheMillennialGardener]

I'm lucky to have any of that, here. It's tough growing figs on the East Coast, let me tell you. Maybe one day I can have some acreage somewhere with a high tunnel.

[jake44141]

Nice!! Looking forward to taste them this year.

I just ate a Figo Preto. it was soft. When I open it only to find out that it was far far from fully ripe. It's mildly tasty. Lesson learned.

[habutti]

I received my figo preto today and I’m happy…getting there. Now if spring would just get here

[KK]

MIB and BM are different figs

[Evdurtschi]

Thank you so much for your comment!!! I am so glad to hear that.

[fattyfigs]

Eric you live a stone throw. MIB the least to split on your? I find Cravens splits the easiest for me. It can be a time bomb in a pit. Morning dew can set it off. Violeta, Fygo Preto, Black Madeira react the same to me. Black Tuscan grows slightly different. Here MIB fruits first, Figo Preto, BM & Than Craven. Tuscan. Has varied. I have several of each tree in different locations to test. All are excellent trees. For a suggestion I wouldn’t bother with Violeta if have the others. And if you don’t have it..I would try to buy it FROM KK because the. Leaves all look very similar. I’m a firm believer in getting things from sources so they are right. Padsfan is a good Craven source. I’m really happy with mine. I seem to get a lot of m ca one striping on my craven

[Evdurtschi]

Thank you for your input Amy!! You have a LOT of experience with these so that helps a lot.

[habutti]

If you could only have two of these, which two would you recommend?

[Evdurtschi]

Not sure. MIB and any of the others. :-)

[AZfig]

Finally people are coming to the conclusion that MIB and BM are different figs. Exactly as you say, more syrup, and less berry for the MIB. On my mature MIB tree every fig had a big drip of syrup that sealed the eye. I would consider it BM on steroids. I prefer MIB over BM because sometimes BM is too overwhelming with the berry flavor, MIB has more of a balanced flavor to me. I’ve trialed lots of varieties and MIB is one of the best varieties in existence, in the top few for sure. I think some collectors say they are the same because people have probably mixed them up, make sure to get one from someone that doesn’t pass them off as all the same variety.

[Evdurtschi]

Spot on!!! I have 3. One in ground and 2 in 25g pots. Mine came from you!!! Best source around since KK isn’t selling!! Thank you so much for making this available.

[AZfig]

Glad you gave it a try👍 If I ever get enough room for a big orchard I would plant hundreds of them.

[Bellefleurs]

I’m thankful to have just purchased a baby MIB from you since my in ground tree strangely died this past winter. This rooted cutting didn’t enjoy its trip through the mail and is now down to one leaf although I’m confident it will bounce back.
MIB is becoming my unicorn 😬
Thank you for the excellent comparison to BMKK.
I’m beginning to wonder if this one might do better grafted.

[ZingsFigs]

I am looking forward to when I am able to try one of the varieties. I have BMKK and Figo Preto, both in there second year. I acquired 2 MIB cuttings that are starting to show some buds but a long way from a tree. Eric just keep on posting pictures so I know what to look forward to. I am crossing my fingers.