Don Ciccio, Mario’s 192
Reminiscent of the classic Hardy Chicago…
Type: Common
Family: Mount Etna
Flavor Group: Dark Berry or Peach Fruit-Berry
Season: Early
Breba Crop: No
Origin: One of Mario DiNatale’s varieties from Wallingford, Connecticut. Possibly an unknown find from Italy.
Possible synonyms:
This variety is in the Mount Etna family of figs. There is a lot of overlap in this family and no doubt many are synonymous with each other. May be the same as Ciccio Nero or Hardy Chicago.
How To Pronounce
(Don Chē’chō)
Description
This is a Mount Etna type fig introduced by Mario DiNatale. There is some confusion if this is actually Ciccio Nero or a different variety. Regardless, it is a near duplicate of Hardy Chicago.
It is a very productive and reliable variety, a very good grower for potted culture. Its flavor always reminds me of peaches, and I would say it is more peach-tasting than berry, though growing conditions can affect flavor nuances.
This is a variety that, while it will never beat out the top favorites for flavor, is tasty in its own right and is a satisfying producer every year. This is the type that becomes an ‘old reliable’ in someone’s orchard and consistently earns a 3 out of 5 for me.