You can get fresh figs in stores all year round. However, they taste particularly aromatic in the main season between August and October. Harvested when ripe, the slightly pear-shaped fruits impress with their juicy-sweet aroma, which enriches the autumn menu.
Figs from our own garden
In our part of the world, house figs ripen between mid-September and mid-October. Unlike many fruit trees, the figs do not all ripen at the same time and the harvest extends over several weeks. This is advantageous because the fresh fruit cannot be stored for long.
Fully ripe and juicy
You can initially tell the degree of ripeness of the fruit by the fact that the fruit has reached the color of the skin that is typical for the variety. It should easily detach from the branch. When harvesting, only touch the pressure-sensitive fruit at the base of the stem and do not unnecessarily squeeze a fig that you want to store for a few days.
You can recognize overripe figs on the tree by the small drop of honey that emerges from the opening at the top. The leaves that were initially at this point have completely receded when the fruits are fully ripe.
Buy figs
In Italy, Greece, France and Turkey, the fruits are harvested and sold in stores until late autumn. When buying, check the degree of ripeness of the fig by gently pressing it. It should yield gently but not be mushy and soft. Dark spots on the skin indicate that the aromatic fruit has already spoiled. A white haze on the skin, on the other hand, is crystallized glucose and is normal for fully ripe fruit.
tips and tricks
Dried figs are in season in winter. Then you can get the dried aromatic fruits of the past season in the shops.
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