Sicilian 33
Ficus carica ‘Sicilian 33’About
Sicilian 33 is a robust Sicilian heirloom variety selected for above normal, exceptional sweetness and heavy cropping. The figs are medium to large with deep purple-violet skin that darkens to near-black at peak ripeness. The flesh is a deep strawberry-red with a rich, jammy flavour and a blackberry and strawberry complexity. It is a vigorous, productive tree well suited to warm summers. Takes a prolonged period of time for fruit to ripen, but for the ones willing to take on the challenge of giving this a head start as early as January would be well rewarded.
Watch the Tasting
See the flavour for yourself. Here is my Sicilian 33 winter tasting from the collection:
Growing Notes
- Vigorous grower — benefits from hard pruning every few years to maintain size.
- Produces a reliable main crop; breba crop is light but present in good years.
- Full sun maximises sugar development and fruit colour.
- Cold hardiness moderate — protect below −8 °C (18 °F).
My Notes
One of the heaviest producers in the collection. The deep purple skin and jammy flesh make this one of the most visually striking figs at harvest time.
Where to Find Sicilian 33
Mislabeled figs are the collector’s oldest problem, and you usually don’t find out until the tree finally fruits years later. I list my own cuttings on Figstead — a marketplace I built and run, because I had been on the buying end of that problem too many times. That is also why the bar to sell there is where it is: 150+ verified sales at a 98%+ positive feedback rating before a seller is approved, and accountability for true-to-type accuracy resting on the seller personally. I sell under the same standard I set.
Sicilian 33 listings and price history →