Identifying Ripe Figs: Insider Tips from a Fruit Growing Specialist – Discover the 5 Signs of Perfectly Soft Figs
Want to know the best time to pick figs? Here's a lowdown on how to tell when figs are ripe and ready for harvest.
Identifying Ripe Figs
Color Change
The color of ripe figs varies depending on the variety. For instance, while 'White Marseilles' and 'Desert King' (from Nature Hills) have white flesh and green skins, 'Black Mission' (from Burpee) becomes deep purple skins and red flesh. Figs like 'Fignomenal' (from Burpee) produce brown skins and dark orange interiors. Most figs shift color as they ripen.
Fruit Softness
Figs should feel soft but not squishy when ripe. Press gently — the skin should give a little like a water balloon. If your fingernail easily pierces the skin, it's a sign the fig is ripe.
Fruit Drooping
As figs ripen, they start to hang down from the tree. Unripe figs stick out perpendicularly. When you notice this drooping, it could mean the fruit is on the verge of ripening.
Skin Splitting
Some varieties, like 'Brown Turkey' and 'LSU Purple' (from Burpee), may start to crack or split as they ripen. The expanding fruit causes the skin to stretch and crack.
Eye Weeping
A final ripeness sign is when figs exhibit "eye weeping," or a small drop of juice or syrup at the bottom opposite the stem. By gently squeezing the fig, a little juice should come out.
When to Leave Figs Longer
If you don't see these ripeness signs, it's best to wait. If the fruit isn't drooping, even if the color looks right, it's not ready yet. Figs won't ripen off the tree if you pick them unripe, but if some figs are ripening but haven't drooped, go ahead and pick them. They'll finish ripening on your kitchen counter.
Accelerating Fig Ripening
Want to speed things up? Pinch back branch tips in the spring to reduce the number of figs. This ensures the figs that grow will ripen on time. After that, proper fertilizing and watering are crucial for a healthy plant.
Figs release a chemical called ethylene that helps them ripen. To slow the release, rub some olive oil on the eye. This might help speed ripening. If any unripe figs fall off the tree, put them in a paper bag with a banana for a few days. The banana will release ethylene, helping the figs ripen faster.
FAQs
- Is it okay to eat unripened figs?
- How do you know if figs are overripe?
If you notice that your figs stick out perpendicularly instead of hanging down, they might need more time to ripen. If the fruit doesn't exhibit signs of ripeness like softness, skin splitting, eye weeping, or drooping, it's best to wait before picking. Regarding eating unripened figs, although they can be eaten, they may not be as sweet and flavorful as ripe figs. Figs that are overripe can become mushy, lose their firmness, and spoil easily, so it's important to avoid waiting too long to consume them.
