In the local latitudes, the cultivation of fig trees is also becoming increasingly popular. But it is not always warm enough here for the tasty figs to ripen. However, to recognize the fruit ripeness, there are some clues.
- gives dark and light varieties of figs.
- Ripe fruits are soft and large
- Ripening time depends on variety and location
- In local latitudes often not warm enough for ripening
- Suitable variety for the local regions is the Nordland mountain fig
Contents
Ripening time
The delicious fruits ripen in the local latitudes between September and October. The good thing about the fig is that not all fruits ripen at the same time and the harvest can extend over several weeks. This is so advantageous precisely because it is not possible to store the fruit:
- harvest only ripe fruit at a time
- daily ripe fruits are available for a longer period of time
- ideally eat from hand to mouth
- ripe fig then tastiest
Tip: If there is a white haze on the skin of the fruit, this is no cause for concern. On the contrary, the crystallized glucose that emerges is another indication by which you can tell that the fruit is fully ripe and ready for consumption.
Recognizing ripe fruit
There are good ways to tell when a fig is ripe. Ideally, and for the tastiest flavor, the fruit will stay on the tree until it is ripe. You can recognize ripe figs by these characteristics:
- Skin has color typical of the variety
- usually red to purple, some varieties remain dark green
- inside light to dark red
- ripe fruit gives slightly under light pressure
- ideally check only on the stem
- fruit is sensitive to pressure
- can be easily detached from the branch
- exudes aromatic fragrance
An overripe fruit, on the other hand, feels mushy and smells unpleasantly sweet. Small drops of honey emerge from the tip. In most cases, these overripe fruits already ferment inside and are then no longer suitable for consumption. In this case, further processing is also no longer possible.
Note: A fig that you want to store for a few days after harvesting from the tree should not be squashed unnecessarily so that it does not become mushy too quickly.
Prevent spoilage
Unfortunately, the fig is a fruit that, once ripe, can also spoil quickly. If it stays on the tree too long, it will become overripe. If ripe fruit is harvested, then it can only be stored to a limited extent. For example, they can only be kept for two to three days if stored next to each other in the refrigerator. After that, they become mushy and start to mold.
Tip: If you store the ripe fruits in the refrigerator, remove them several hours before eating. This is because they only develop their full flavor at room temperature.
Harvest figs properly
Because there is a milky liquid throughout the fig tree that can cause skin irritation or a rash if touched by sensitive people, some precautions should be taken when harvesting. Here’s how to harvest figs properly:
- Wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing (if sensitive skin type).
- If branches or leaves are injured, liquid will leak out immediately
- Let children pick only under supervision
- Remove stem from fig if milky juice comes out
- Do not eat the peel in this case
Frequently asked questions
Do figs ripen after?
Unfortunately, figs are a fruit that does not ripen. If unripe fruits have fallen from the tree too early, then they will spoil with time, but unfortunately they will not ripen. Even if they soften a little, they will not become sweet. Therefore, for a pleasant fig flavor, the fruit must remain on the tree until ripe.
Can I eat the skin of the figs?
When the fig is ripe, you can eat the tasty skin. With unripe figs, however, you must be aware that the poisonous milky juice can still be found in the skin and can cause skin irritation in the mouth or stomach problems if eaten. Therefore, it is better to spoon out unripe but already tasty figs.
Are figs healthy?
Figs are a so-called superfood. Because they are full of valuable minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium, as well as many vitamins. The digestive enzymes help the intestines to be more active. With just 40 Kcal in one fig and the fiber it contains, it also fits into any diet.
I have kidney problems and heard that I should not eat figs?
You should clarify the consumption of the fruit with your doctor. This is because it is true that even one fig contains a lot of oxalic acid, which should not be ingested if you have kidney problems. However, your doctor can tell you how many of the tasty fruits you can eat without hesitation. In the case of cooked fruit, however, the oxalic acid almost completely cooks off, so you do not have to give up eating it altogether.
