Marseilles is a great all-around fig, both sweet and productive. It's also a heirloom fig with not only a rich taste but also a rich history.

In 1787 our third president, Thomas Jefferson, took a tour of southern France in search of mineral water for his health and the restoration of his hand. While touring, he tasted many different wines and sampled many fruits and foods in the local villages, but he was so intrigued with this fig that he wrote home about his wonderful experience, saying: "The most delicate figs in Europe are those growing about this place [Marseilles], called figues Marcelloises, or les veritables Marcelloises, to distinguish them from others of inferior quality growing here. These keep any length of time. All others exude a sugar in the spring of the year and become sour. The only process for preserving them is drying them in the sun, without putting any thing to them whatever."

In 1809, Thomas Jefferson wrote: "the Marseilles fig, which I brought from France with me, is unquestionably superior to any fig I have ever seen." Who knew that our third President of the United States was a fan and collector of figs? But honestly, who doesn't like fresh figs?