Exquisito is a California-bred fig that transforms dramatically as it ripens, shifting from green through striped stages to a deep black with an arresting starry-patterned surface. The early-season crops deliver an intensely sweet flavor with pronounced fruity and berry notes that earned a 9/10 rating from experienced growers. This self-fertile Common fig thrives in full sun and adapts readily to container growing, making it accessible to gardeners across suitable climates.
Full Sun
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Moderate
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The visual progression alone sets Exquisito apart: fruits begin green and shift through beautiful rimada striping before reaching their dramatic black finish adorned with distinctive star-like markings. The flavor matches the appearance's promise, with a richness that combines intense sweetness and berry complexity in those prized early harvests. Soft skin and mild seed crunch make eating these figs a pure pleasure, and their compact nature means they flourish in containers as easily as in garden beds.
Fresh eating is the obvious choice for Exquisito, where the intense sweetness and berry notes shine without any preparation beyond splitting the fruit open. The soft skin and gentle seed crunch make these figs ideal for eating out of hand during their peak ripeness, though they could be preserved if the early harvests yielded surplus.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Watch for the color transformation that defines Exquisito's ripeness: fruits progress from green through striped stages before turning deep black with a starry-patterned surface. Once they reach this dark stage, they're ready to pick. The soft skin will yield slightly to gentle pressure when fully ripe. Early-season crops typically mature in late July and deliver the most intense flavor, so prioritize harvesting those first batches at peak ripeness for the full 9/10 experience.
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“Exquisito emerged from California, introduced by Doug (known in fig circles as Bluemalibu), and represents the ongoing work of home breeders and collectors who select for outstanding flavor and visual appeal. The variety's development reflects the California fig tradition, where experimental cultivation and careful selection have long produced some of the world's finest cultivars. Steve (fruitnut), a respected evaluator in the fig community, recognized Exquisito's exceptional quality during late July tasting trials, cementing its reputation among serious growers.”