[JustBeige]

As the title says, how do you pick a nice Fig?

I havent eaten them for years and years. We used to get ours from the man across the road and I dont remember him ever telling me how to pick a nice one. Just got used to them being sweet.


I got some from Coles last week, with the thought to introduce them to the kids and they were all off. Not impressed at all.

[foxy_feline]

I'm probably not the ideal person to ask - I don't pick them from in-store I pick them off the fig tree in the backyard, so might be different for you.

I know they're ripe and ready to eat then and there when they're soft to the touch (not squishy - then they're too far gone), and usually (when picking from the tree), have a drop or two of nectar starting to come from the bottom. They don't keep for more than a day or two at this point though, so in buying from grocers or supermarkets you'll probably find they're more on the firm (but not hard) side. Think like choosing a ripe and ready to 'spread' avocado, or ready-to-eat nectarine. Generally they should also be starting to go pink.

Mind you, the other hint they're ready is that we have to fight the birds and fruit bats for them!

[SensibleSis]

I would agree with PP.

I think my DH bought some from Coles as well.

They were not off but all very under-ripe with no flavour.

What I did was trim the tops and cut them into quarters. Then drizzled with honey and baked at 150 deg. In oven until they were slightly softened. Took about 10 mins. Then served with vanilla ice cream and they were delish.

That doesn't help you pick a good one but may help in the event you are faced with some not so good figs!

[JustBeige]

Thanks ladies.

Foxy, thats what we used to get fromm our neighbour as kids, so thats what I was looking for. Will keep in mind the 'not squishy' thing

SS - thanks for the tip, I will have to try that

[credence]

You can tell by that little pinkish star at the bottom. If it's nice and red it's ripe, if it's pale it's not. A drop of nectar is definitely a sign of sweetness.