Anyone who cherishes and cares for a fig tree longs for the sweet fruit every summer. If the weather is kind, the harvest can be plentiful, even in our latitudes. Drying is a way to save the fruit for later.

We rarely have figs fresh

The four ways to dried fruit

In their homeland in the south, figs dry out in no time in the scorching sun. The power of the sun is not always sufficient here. Below is an overview of all drying methods:

  • Air drying under the sun
  • Drying in the oven
  • Dehydrating in a dehydrator
  • Express drying in the microwave

Air drying under the sun

Drying figs under the hot sun is natural, energy-saving
and inexpensive.

  1. Arrange the washed and dabbed dry figs on a grid, leaving a gap of at least 2 cm between individual specimens.
  2. Position the grid in an airy and sunny place. Preferably in such a way that air can also circulate from below.
  3. Protect the sweet fruits from insects with a fine-meshed net.
  4. Turn the figs twice a day.

tips

If the weather doesn't play along, it's time to collect the figs quickly and continue drying them using another method. Because these can be combined with each other.

Drying in the oven

A higher temperature can be set in the oven, which is why figs dry faster in it.

  • Wash and dry the figs beforehand
  • Whole figs come without parchment paper on the wire rack
  • Heat the oven to a maximum of 60 degrees Celsius
  • Select recirculation function
  • Do not close the oven door completely
  • Turn fruit after two hours
  • Drying time can last up to 36 hours

You can shorten the time by halving the figs or even cutting them into even smaller pieces or slices.

Dehydrating in a dehydrator

A dehydrator is specially designed for drying fruit. However, the purchase is hardly worthwhile just for drying a fig harvest, although it offers the following three advantages:

  • the temperature remains constant
  • Moisture is automatically drained
  • Ventilation is already integrated

Express drying in the microwave

Drying in the microwave is the most time-saving option. At the same time, that is their only advantage. The disadvantages are:

  • more vitamins are lost
  • only small amounts can be dried at a time
  • Fruits are first cooked in it
  • and then dry out
  • Slice the figs so they don't "explode" in the microwave.
  • Heat the fruit on the highest setting for two minutes.
  • Open the microwave door and let the steam escape.
  • Then heat the figs on low power for 20 minutes.
  • Open the door several times to let the moisture out. You can also pat the plate and figs dry with kitchen paper.

    • storage

    Dried figs must be allowed to cool down before they are stored in a cool, dark place. An airtight screw-top jar is ideal for storing them.

    The garden journal freshness ABC

    How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

    The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

    • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Indoor plants