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If you have a fig tree growing near you, count yourself lucky! Aside from their rich taste, figs have the single highest fiber and mineral content among all common fruits and nuts, making them extremely nutritious.[1] It takes nearly four years for fig trees to begin producing fruit, and when they do, there is only a short window of time for harvesting, so it’s best to be prepared. We’ll walk you through how to know when it’s time to start picking, the harvest process, and storing figs at home.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:Choosing the Right Time to Pick Your Figs
Method 1
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1Harvest your fig tree during the late summer and early autumn. If you live in a warmer climate, you may be able to harvest figs during the spring as well. Figs emerge twice a year, but in places with colder winters, the fruits won’t ripen until August or September.[2]
- Like many other fruits, figs won’t ripen after being picked, so it’s important to frequently check back on your tree until they’re ready.[3]
- You won’t be the only one looking for figs when they ripen! Birds are extremely fond of figs, and can do a lot of damage to your harvest. Consider installing some simple netting over your fig tree to protect the fruit.[4]
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2Wait until the figs turn purple. Most varieties of figs experience this color change, from green while they’re unripe to a deep, solid violet. Ripe figs will also frequently have a drop of nectar at their base.[5]
- There may also be a split in the skin, which is a key sign that it’s time to pick the fig. As the fig continues to ripen, this split will grow. When the split cuts through the entire fruit, the fig has become overripe.[6]
- Take a look at how the fruit hangs from the tree. Ripe figs will hang down and away from the tree, while unripe ones will stick close to it.[7]
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3Check to see if the fig is tender by squeezing it. Ripe figs should be soft, but not mushy! If the fig is still hard while you squeeze it, it may be best to leave it on its tree for a few more days.[8]
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4Taste the fig to test for ripeness. If the fig has a sweet taste and a soft texture, it’s ready to be picked. On the other hand, unripe figs will lack any sweetness, and will be rubbery. If a fig is overripe, it’ll taste mushy and spoiled. Trust your instincts, and your taste buds![9]
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:Harvesting Your Figs
Method 2
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1Wear protective gloves and long sleeves. Once you’re sure that your figs are ready to be picked, it’s tempting to immediately go out and start harvesting them. But fig sap can be irritating to the skin, and you should dress appropriately before doing so. Any kind of gloves are appropriate, so long as they limit contact between the sap and your bare skin.[10]
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2Twist the figs off of the tree. Some figs come off easier than others, but you may need to twist hard in order to separate the fruit from its stem. Be careful to handle the fig with care while doing this—you don’t want to accidentally crush the fruit![11]
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3Use a pair of pruning scissors if you can’t twist the figs off. If twisting the figs off the tree is too difficult, or if you want to simply make the process easier, you can also cut the figs by their stems. This will significantly speed up the process, and lower the risk of accidentally crushing the figs while picking them.[12]
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:Storing Your Figs
Method 3
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1Refrigerate your figs for up to a week. Once picked, figs have a very short shelf life. Refrigeration can allow the figs to remain edible for longer, but they won’t last too long. Eat them within this time, or you might have to find other ways of preserving them.[13]
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2Preserve your figs to store them for longer. There are a couple of common methods for doing this. You can freeze the figs, where they can remain edible for several months. Or, you can boil and dry your figs. Dried figs can be used for all kinds of dishes, and have a much longer shelf life than fresh ones![14]
- Ripe figs freeze well, but they do need a little bit of prep work. Wash the figs and remove their stems. Then, sprinkle them with a mixture of water and a bit of ascorbic acid. Place them on a baking sheet, and leave them to freeze overnight. You can then pack them together in a freezer bag without them getting stuck to one another. [15]
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3Cook with your figs. Since figs can be difficult to store for long periods of time, it’s best to use them as quickly as possible. Luckily, there are a number of great ways that you can add figs to your food to make it even more healthy and delicious. Try adding figs to salads or to granola and yogurt. You can even slice them and then dip them in chocolate for a snack or dessert!
References
- ↑ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-11-he-62368-story.html
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=106
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=106
- ↑ https://njaes.rutgers.edu/FS1198/
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/figs-are-ripening/
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/figs-are-ripening/
- ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-figs/#prune
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=106
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/figs-are-ripening/
- ↑ https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/home_garden/article_63cb4110-7251-5920-9be9-00a07d6a850a.html
- ↑ https://njaes.rutgers.edu/FS1198/
- ↑ https://njaes.rutgers.edu/FS1198/
- ↑ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-11-he-62368-story.html
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/figs-are-ripening/
- ↑ https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/blogs/southeast_fcs_blog/louisianafigsfacts-and-preserves
