The Exciting Start of the 2025 California Fresh Fig Season
As summer transitions into fall, the California Fresh Fig season is officially in full swing. Despite cooler temperatures in July causing a delayed start, the 2025 harvest is now underway. The California Fresh Fig Growers Association has confirmed that both the quality and quantity of this year’s crop are looking promising. With increased acreage being dedicated to fig cultivation and an overall healthy yield, fig lovers can expect beautiful and plentiful fruits from California orchards well into the autumn months.
CEO of the California Fresh Fig Growers Association, Karla Stockli, expressed optimism, stating, "It was another good off season without drought and fires." This favorable weather has contributed to the health of the fig orchards, allowing growers to deliver exceptionally plump and delicious figs this season, including the introduction of a highly anticipated new variety known as the Emerald fig.
Introducing the Emerald Fig
The Emerald fig is set to charm fruit enthusiasts, reminiscent of the beloved Calimyrna variety which has gradually phased out of California’s orchards. Much like its predecessor, the Emerald features a similar shape and color, offering a creamy, crème brulee-like flavor. Its self-pollinating nature adds to its appeal, making it a favored choice among retailers.
In total, California offers five primary varieties of fresh figs for the 2025 season, each boasting unique flavor profiles:
- - Emerald: Features light green skin with a creamy, rich taste akin to crème brulee.
- - Mission: Known for its purple and black skin with a deep, earthy flavor.
- - Brown Turkey: A sturdy option with light purple to black skin, delivering a robust taste.
- - Sierra: Light-colored skin that provides a freshly sweet flavor.
- - Tiger: Unique with light yellow skin and dark green stripes, this variety presents a fruity raspberry and citrus flavor.
With an optimistic outlook for this year’s main crop, California Fresh Fig growers anticipate another successful season following impressive yields from the earlier breba crop. The initial Mission figs began to hit the market between May and June, and additional varieties will remain available through November. Preliminary estimates suggest that the 2025 harvest could match last year’s nearly 10-million-pound yield.
Year-Round Enjoyment of California Figs
While fresh figs have their seasonal charm, California Dried Figs are available year-round. These dried figs retain their nutritional benefits and delightful taste, proving to be a versatile ingredient in various dishes. Health-conscious individuals can incorporate dried figs into salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and sauces, ensuring they can enjoy the flavors of California figs throughout the year.
For those eager to explore fig-centric recipes and learn more about this delicious fruit, the California Fig Growers Association encourages everyone to visit their site at
CaliforniaFigs.com. Here, you’ll find an abundance of resources to enhance your culinary creations and embrace the fresh flavors of the California fig harvest.
About the California Fig Growers Association
The California Fig Growers Association, along with the California Fig Advisory Board, tirelessly promotes the benefits and enjoyment of both dried and fresh California figs, working diligently to increase awareness of fig products both domestically and internationally. The efforts of these organizations are supported by California's fig growers, processors, and marketers, ensuring the continued success of this fruitful industry.