Q&A for How to Eat a Fig

No, not all figs have wasps in them, though it's a common misconception. Some varieties of figs ripen without needing to be pollinated by a wasp and it's also possible to cause figs to ripen with hormones so no wasp is needed. For these reasons, most commercially grown figs actually never come into contact with wasps. If a fig is grown with wasps, a chemical called ficin breaks down the wasp and the fig absorbs it, so you won't ever come across any wasp parts in a fig.

Figs ripen fully while still on the tree, so look for fruits that are soft to the touch and drooping slightly at the neck. Another way to judge a ripe fig is its color, which depends on the variety, but can be anywhere from green to dark brown.

You can eat them raw or keep them in the refrigerator for about 3 days before they go bad.

That depends on your particular diet, but figs are a good source of fiber and contain a variety of other vitamins and minerals.

Yes.

Yes, in moderation. According to studies, figs are very good for management of symptoms related to diabetes.

Yes. They can actually be very healthy.

Yes. However, be aware that the fruit upon thawing will be edible, but messy and unappealing.

Certainly. Depending on what you are baking or cooking, you could replace some of the liquid in the recipe with the fig water. It would add a sweet, fig-like to the recipe.

No. They are likely rotten and could make you ill.

Dried figs do not cause stomach pain, but eating too much of any dried fruit may cause you to have gas, abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation, or possibly diarrhea.

If they are not quite ripe, leave them out until they ripen and then refrigerate.

No. Just take the sugar crystals out and it should be fine to eat whole or chopped.

The best time to eat figs is in the morning so they can clean out your system throughout the day.

You can often vacuum pack dried fruits. If you wish to preserve some fresh figs, I would look at a professional canning website.

Yes. Figs can be filling and are a great low-calorie, high-potassium snack food.

You can use them in smoothies and ice-cream, or defrost them and eat them on their own or use them in baking.

Yes, you can.

Before, as they will give you plenty of energy to complete your workout.

In my experience with the Brown Turkey variety, they are ready when they swell up, get soft, and start to drop off the tree.

No, it isn't normal. In your case, you might have a slight allergic reaction, or you ae sensitive to tangy foods.

Turn your dehydrator to the fruit setting or about 135. I live in a very humid climate, and it took about 8 hours for the quartered figs to be fully dry, and about 12 for the whole figs to be at that point where we like them. But times may vary, so check them every so often after about 6 hours.

Use a towel, some water, and two rubber bands. Wet the towel and tie the towel to the fig with the rubber bands. Doing this should give enough moisture to keep it from rotting and not too much to the point that it won't dry out.

No need! As long as whomever you are serving them to is not too picky, they are fine with skins on. The skin is edible and a great part to the fig, in baked goods, with a dairy product, dehydrated or not.

The nutrients in a fig and its seeds are: Potassium, magnesium, B6 and fiber.

It does have a flower. It has the fig inside the bud. You eat it when it looks like a tulip. As all fruits you need to wash before you eat.