Post by Symiot on Jun 4, 2015 23:05:23 GMT 10
I have been asked about a couple of 'Greek varieties' and thought it may be beneficial to post my response here.
The simple answer is there are NO Greek cultivars named 'mavra sika' or 'aspra sika'. These words simply translate to 'black figs' and 'white figs'.
The terms 'mavra' and 'aspra' are just generic terms used by folks to describe their trees. For most people, if they have a dark fig growing in their yard they refer to it as 'mavra sika' and if it's not dark then you guessed it, they refer to it as 'aspra sika'.
Those very same trees may in fact be cultivars or even hybrids that have occurred naturally throughout the Mediterranean.
There are however many known named varieties in Greece, with some being regarded as amongst the best available. However, 'mavra sika' and 'aspra sika' are not named varieties.
In Australia if you find a Greek growing 'Black Genoa' or 'Brown Turkey' there is a good chance he will refer to them as 'mavra sika' and not by their true name. One gentleman up the road, gave me some cuttings last year. He told me two were 'mavra' and the other 'aspra'. I didn't get a chance to see his fruit but he's adamant they are not common varieties and that they were brought over a long time ago.
Part of that naming tradition has continued with the English names for some varieties eg Black Genoa or White Adriatic and of course we know they are neither black nor white.
If you look hard enough you too may be fortunate and find some of those great varieties that may have found their way here. Hopefully when you do, the owners will know their true names rather than use the generic terms. Regardless, I am sure they would taste very nicely.
Hope that clarifies things a little and that it's not just all Greek to you.
The simple answer is there are NO Greek cultivars named 'mavra sika' or 'aspra sika'. These words simply translate to 'black figs' and 'white figs'.
The terms 'mavra' and 'aspra' are just generic terms used by folks to describe their trees. For most people, if they have a dark fig growing in their yard they refer to it as 'mavra sika' and if it's not dark then you guessed it, they refer to it as 'aspra sika'.
Those very same trees may in fact be cultivars or even hybrids that have occurred naturally throughout the Mediterranean.
There are however many known named varieties in Greece, with some being regarded as amongst the best available. However, 'mavra sika' and 'aspra sika' are not named varieties.
In Australia if you find a Greek growing 'Black Genoa' or 'Brown Turkey' there is a good chance he will refer to them as 'mavra sika' and not by their true name. One gentleman up the road, gave me some cuttings last year. He told me two were 'mavra' and the other 'aspra'. I didn't get a chance to see his fruit but he's adamant they are not common varieties and that they were brought over a long time ago.
Part of that naming tradition has continued with the English names for some varieties eg Black Genoa or White Adriatic and of course we know they are neither black nor white.
If you look hard enough you too may be fortunate and find some of those great varieties that may have found their way here. Hopefully when you do, the owners will know their true names rather than use the generic terms. Regardless, I am sure they would taste very nicely.
Hope that clarifies things a little and that it's not just all Greek to you.