Malta Type 1
Ficus carica
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Description
The fig most commonly sold as 'Malta' in New Zealand. Small to medium conical fruit with a felty (tormentose) skin that deepens to near-black in direct sunlight and shows bronze with darker stripes in shade. Red flesh. Tight ostiole. Main crop only, prolific, and among the earliest-ripening varieties — mid-March in Upper Hutt. Excellent for drying and preserving due to high sugar content. Can be picked before birds attack and ripened indoors. Very sweet flavour.
Characteristics
Fig Type
Common
Synonyms & Alternative Names
May be same as Rouge de Bordeaux; similar to Crnica; sometimes called sugar fig; commonplace fig sold as Malta in NZ
Skin Colours (ripe)
Flesh & Pulp Colours
Fruit Size
Small/Medium
Fruit Shape
Conical
Eye / Ostiole
Tight/Closed
Breba Crop
None (0)
Main Crop Timing (NZ)
Early (Feb-Mar)
Good for Drying
Good for Preserving / Pickling
Can Ripen After Picking
Prone to Splitting
Suitable Growing Areas (NZ)
Upper Hutt, southern North Island; early season variety
Notes & Comments
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Notes
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