Since figs are so delicate and susceptible to spoiling, it’s easy to ignore their many health advantages. For those who know how to keep both fresh and dried figs, this is no longer a worry.
So, what’s the best way to keep figs fresh? Dried figs, in contrast to fresh figs, may be kept for a long time if properly stored. Put them in an airtight container and keep them in the pantry for easy access.
If this is your first time purchasing figs and you have no clue how to preserve them or how long they will last, here are some tips. There is no need to worry about anything.
The following topics will be discussed:
- Whether or not refrigerating figs is necessary: how to store figs
- Figs’ shelf life: how long do they stay fresh?
- Figs: indications of rotting
For those who don’t have any fresh figs on hand, I’ve included instructions for using dried figs instead.
How Long Can Figs Last?
Fresh figs have an extremely short shelf life because of their perishable nature. Figs are collected when fully ripe, as they do not ripen after being plucked.
If you know how to properly store fresh and dried figs, you can increase their shelf life.
Only buy fresh figs if you plan to consume or utilize them within a week after purchase.
Fresh figs have a shelf life of 2 to 3 days at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. There are two ways to keep the figs fresh: refrigerate them or store them in a cool place.
It’s worth noting, though, that the fridge isn’t going to do miracles. Figs can be kept in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
On the other hand, dried figs, like any other dried fruit, may be stored for a long period. Dried figs may be stored correctly for up to a year at room temperature.
Fresh Figs
How Do You Keep Figs Fresh?
Fresh figs can be stored in a shallow jar in the refrigerator. In this manner, the fruits don’t perch on top of one other, leading to smashed figs that soon go bad because they’re damaged.
In order to preserve the quality of your figs, keep them in the refrigerator at a temperature of 32 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 to 4 degrees Celsius).
Egg cartons can also be used to further isolate figs from one other. Indeed, a carton requires a lot of storage space- everything has a price.
Use an airtight container if you’re preserving chopped figs.
Wash figs before eating or serving them, like with any fresh fruits. This way, you won’t have to worry about leaving any excess moisture on their skin, which can lead to spoiling.
Is it necessary to refrigerate fresh figs? No. It’s fine to leave food on the counter if you plan to consume it within a few days. On the other hand, the fridge is a great alternative if you need extra time.
The shelf life of figs is known to be limited. So, when you arrive home from the farmer’s market or grocery shop, most sources advise putting them in the refrigerator.
How long are fresh figs good for?
Whole fresh figs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week, or on the counter for one to two days. Figs that have been cut can be refrigerated for up to four days.
Whole figs may be preserved for up to two weeks, although this is the exception rather than the rule.
To ensure you get the finest figs possible, ensure they aren’t refrigerated. Make sure yours will last for the stated time period rather than immediately degrading after a few days in storage.
To get the greatest figs, follow these steps:
- If you’re looking for the best figs, look for ones with little give. The fruit should be pliable but not mushy when gently pressed.
- Check to see whether the figs have a sour scent. The sour taste and smell of fermented figs may be detected even while they are still fresh.
- Don’t buy anything if it has an off-putting odor.
- Stay away from cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Figs with flaws in their skin will lose flavor and nutritional value after a few days.
How Do You Tell if a Fresh Fig Is Bad?
Throw away figs that:
- The scent of sour figs is a sign that the fruit has been kept for too long. If they smell rotten or have any other unpleasant odor, it’s time to get rid of them.
- If the fruits are soft, shriveled, or seeping with water. At this point, there’s not much you can do about these signs of water loss.
- Instead of being red, the flesh is dark (or even black). As a result, cutting old figs in half before eating is recommended. Fortunately, you won’t have to open these figs to find out they’re terrible because they’re generally soft or smell unpleasant.
- Are growing mold, or are already rotting. Either way, fruit is now off-limits.
If none of these conditions exist, it’s safe to consume the fig. Simply slice it into quarters and savor.
There’s also the issue of quality to consider. You could find that your figs are a little mushy or a little overripe, for example (the skin being dark instead of greenish-purple). It’s up to you whether or not you want to consume it. If it looks good and tastes well, feel safe to eat it.
Dried Figs
Dried Figs: How to Keep Them Fresh
To preserve dried figs, keep them in a cool, dry area. A shelf in the pantry or a cupboard in the kitchen can do the trick.
A sealed container or freezer bag is the best way to keep the dried figs fresh for a long time. This will keep the figs from drying out and becoming hard.
If you anticipate consuming the dried figs within two weeks, you may get away with wrapping the bag’s top or using a clip.
Do dried figs need to be kept in the fridge? They don’t need to be refrigerated; well, maybe only on the hottest days in the summer months.
If you reside in an area where the summers are hot and humid, you may want to consider refrigerating your dried figs. Even if they just have to endure for a few weeks or months.
Can you keep dried figs for a long time?
Dried figs can usually be kept for 6 to 12 months from the date they were packed. As long as you store the fruits properly, opening the bag doesn’t have a big impact on that timeframe.
After the expiration date, figs should be in good condition for at least a few months, and even more, if you store them in the refrigerator.
Storage conditions affect how long dried figs retain their quality. A well-ventilated area and a tight seal may make a big difference.
Some sellers sell figs with different guidelines, so be aware of this while purchasing.
It is possible to keep dried figs at room temperature for up to a month. Figs can be preserved in the refrigerator from six months to a year. However, those standards appear to be quite safe, to the point of being a little too safe.
A month at room temperature doesn’t seem like a long time in which dried figs should lose their potency. But, if it’s a hot summer and you placed the figs on the counter in direct sunlight, they may not last long.
Is Dried Figs a Perishable Food?
Dried figs seldom go bad unless they are exposed to dampness. However, this does not imply that their quality will never deteriorate.
After opening the package, they will harden and dry out like all other dried fruits. Granola, for example, doesn’t stay forever because of this.
Your dried figs may become overly hard or bland after a while, and that’s the time to get rid of them.
The existence of a white cast or white powder on the surface is a significant aspect to discuss here.
The sugar crystallizing on the surface of the figs is absolutely safe to consume. The white tint on the fig indicates that it was a juicy and tasty one. It resembles the sugar specks that you may see on dates from time to time.
Mold is not the cause of the white cast you see. If the white stuff resembles small crystals or powder, it’s fine to consume. Figs should be thrown out if they have white fuzz on them. If you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
In order to get rid of such sweetness, remove it with a knife or wash the figs in warm water to remove the sugar.
How to Dehydrate Fresh Figs
There is no reason for alarm if you acquire too many fresh figs and regret not purchasing dried ones. Because you can do it yourself to dry the figs, this is a simple problem to tackle, and you don’t even need a lot of prior culinary knowledge to pull it off.
A food dehydrator at home makes it quick and easy to dry figs. Simply split them in half and place them in the machine for eight hours.
One of these alternatives can be used if you don’t already have one:
Drying in the oven
Make sure you completely clean your fresh figs and pat them dry. Then split the figs into two pieces and put them in the oven to dry.
If your oven has a fruit option, use that instead of setting the temperature to 60 °C.
Put the sliced side of the figs on the oven wire shelf. It is recommended that the figs be kept in the oven for 36 hours. While they’re drying, you’ll want to flip the figs over a few times so that no moisture is trapped within.
To speed up the drying process, do not raise the oven temperature since this might result in unevenly dried figs.
Sun-drying
Drying fruit in the sun is an option if you don’t want to fuss with a stove or oven.
To sun-dry figs, you must first wash, dry, and then cut them in half or quarters.
The figs should be placed on a cheesecloth-lined wire rack. Protect the fig from insects by wrapping it in a second layer of cheesecloth.
Figs should be allowed to air dry for three days in the sun. In order to keep them healthy, make sure they get enough of direct sunlight. Flip the figs over a few times to ensure they are totally dry.
The figs are ready for storage once they have lost all of their moisture.
Use an airtight jar or a zip-top plastic bag to keep the dried figs fresher longer. Refrigeration or a chilly environment are the best places to store dried figs.
In spite of the fact that dried figs may be preserved for up to a year, it is recommended that you utilize them as soon as possible.
Ensuring the figs are absolutely dry is the key to drying and storing them properly at home.
Additional fig-storage tips
- Avoid keeping figs in the same area as other fruits and vegetables. Many fruits and vegetables, including figs, contain ethylene. The latter is a hormone that plants use to regulate their growth. Figs produce ethylene gas, which causes other fruits and vegetables to soften and sprout. As if that wasn’t bad enough, figs may wreak havoc on your other food items if you store them all in the same container.
- If you intend to store figs immediately in the refrigerator or cold storage and not cook with or consume them, it is vital to know how to pick figs. Select figs that are slightly pliable to the touch and whose skin is smooth and free of damage. The most important thing when preserving figs at home is purchasing them at a decent state of ripeness.
- When it comes to figs, the greatest advice anyone can give you is to consume them while you can. Figs have a subtle sweetness, and they are, nonetheless, tasty and quite nutritious. The minerals, fiber, and natural sugars in your food don’t have to be thrown away.