Red Lebanese Bekaa Valley

Red Lebanese Bekaa Valley (RLBV) is a treasured Lebanese fig that originated in the fertile Bekaa Valley of eastern Lebanon, one of the oldest agricultural regions in the world. The variety was brought to the United States by an Ohio collector known as Marius, who introduced it to the fig-growing community after obtaining it from its homeland. It belongs to the renowned Mount Etna family of figs, a group celebrated for exceptional cold hardiness, reliable productivity, and outstanding berry flavor. As a common fig, Red Lebanese Bekaa Valley is self-fertile and produces an early main crop without requiring the fig wasp for pollination.

The tree produces small to medium-sized figs with a dark purple skin and a rich red interior that becomes dense and jam-like when fully ripe. Its flavor is intensely sweet, offering concentrated notes of blackberry, raspberry, and mixed berry preserves with the signature richness that has made Mount Etna-type figs so highly regarded. While delicious when fully ripe, many growers find the fruit reaches its peak after hanging on the tree a little longer, allowing the sugars to concentrate and the berry flavors to deepen even further. Combining remarkable cold tolerance, dependable production, and exceptional fruit quality, Red Lebanese Bekaa Valley has earned a reputation as one of the finest representatives of the Mount Etna family and remains a favorite among collectors and backyard growers alike.