Cul Noir is a French fig variety with a romantic history.  A fig collector found it outside of a beautiful chateau where it had been reportedly growing for generations. But despite this idyllic image, the appearance of this fig earned it the name that translates to “black ass” in English. The fig has a green skin that tapers down in a uniform pear shape to a dark purple or “black” bottom.  There is some variation in skin color with some figs having a brownish/reddish bottom.  Growers love this variety for its tight eye and good resistance to splitting during rainy or humid seasons. Cul Noir imparts the taster with a delicious strawberry flavor and is said to have the ability to dry on the tree.  Parthenocarpic.