Hi all,

I just wanted to introduce myself and start sharing fig thoughts/ideas and comments with the rest of you interested in these wonderful plants.

My name is Jay Caballero (I go by Jay finding it easier for Americans to pronounce it and tired of having to correct them :-)

I wanted to know what the interest is for Spanish figs in general.

Being from that part of the world myself but having lived in this country for the last 20 years, I have always been biased towards this particular fig region of the world. I humbly think it is like no other in the vast number of known and unknown, yet to be discovered and given name, fig varieties.

I have been collecting Spanish varieties for a long time but never really interested in sharing any ideas, thoughts or even figs themselves with anybody.

Anyway, I have figs from Malaga for example, in the South East of Spain, the varieties are called Paneta and Brevera. I understand there are many others called this. I wonder what the similarities maybe with others with the same name but from other places such as Italy?

I am just curious if anybody has a similar interest or even a broader knowledge as to know if there is any connection between names regardless of each fig's peculiarities or how they develop, grow and produce fruit.

In Spain, everywhere I go, I see many figs that look and taste like some known cultivars but are called differently in that particular place or town. There are tons of them and always makes me question how exact an already known variety maybe related to its name?

I guess it's just a matter of what it gives (the figs) and its characteristics as to incite any interest even if the name is not a certain thing?

Anybody heard of Tio Paco? It's very appreciated in the South of Spain and one of my favorite "higos" though I can't seem to ever have a favorite liking them all. I like Toro Sentado as well and wonder if it has had any interest or anybody else has it in the USA to share thoughts about its growth and characteristics.

Same with Spanish "Cuello de Dama Blanca and Negra" (Coll De dame White/Black)

Anyway, again, I just wanted to start trading thoughts and ideas with my fellow fig aficionados out there and kind of introduce myself to the community.

I look forward to the replies and interaction.

Jay