Figs are one of the greatest fruits to enjoy. The only problem that comes with having fig trees is that they all ripen at the same time. But what if you want to enjoy these goodies later? Trust us, drying them comes in handy for preserving as well as munching on them later.
If you are looking towards the ways to dry figs at home by yourself, then look no further for we can assure you that you've stumbled on the right blog. Follow Along!
When it comes to dry fruits, the Sun solves every problem and figs are no different. The whole process might take 3-7 days, determined by the sun intensity, humidity, size, and ripeness of the figs, among other things.
You can start by laying figs on a screen/rack in a sunny and dry location so that figs can get maximum exposure to sun and air. We strongly advise that you should turn over the figs to prevent uneven drying and lack of accumulation of moisture.
The oven drying of figs comes in handy when sun drying is not possible. Preheat your oven to its lowest temperature setting: 135-140°F or 57-60°C. Place the figs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Prop the oven door open a little to let air in by placing a heat-resistant object in the door opening.
Drying time will vary from 6 to 12 hours, depending on the size and moisture content of the figs. Check and turn periodically the baking sheet for even drying. You will end up with a lot of quite tasty dried figs.
Drying figs using a dehydrator is one of the best ways to preserve them, as this would ensure that the moisture is removed uniformly from the fruit. Line the dehydrator trays with the figs, spacing them apart for air circulation, and set them at 135°F.
The gentle heat also saves the sweet and nutritious parts of the figs. It may take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours to dry, depending on the size and juices in the figs. Check periodically and turn trays if necessary for even drying.
This is indeed a traditional, in-house technique of air-drying figs, using the natural flow of air to dry out the moisture. Thread the figs onto a string and hang them in a warm, well-ventilated area, or put them on a rack that has good circulation of air.
They should be spaced far enough apart from each other so they don't touch; this will avoid the risk of mold. This process is going to take about a week to two weeks, depending upon the humidity and size of the fig.
Wanna dry figs quicker? We sure have a way for that. Microwave drying is one of the quickest methods to dry figs. Slice the figs evenly and put them on a microwave-safe plate that's lined with paper towels to catch the moisture.
Place it in the microwave to cook on 30-50 percent of the power for 1-2 minutes at a time, so that it doesn't become too hot. Keep a watch; times will vary depending on your microwave's power level and how big your figs are. It normally takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Solar oven drying is another eco-friendly way to dehydrate the figs with the help of solar energy. Place the figs in trays or on racks in a solar oven that provides good ventilation and space for proper air circulation and even drying.
The temperature depends upon the intensity of the sun and the weather; however, it generally takes 1 to 2 days of sunny weather for the drying process. Figs are turned over at regular intervals to avoid overheating and uneven drying.
The canning oven method is by far one of the simplest methods for drying figs. It involves gently drying them in canning jars. First, fill clean jars with figs and then place the filled jars in a preheated oven at 150-170°F. Then, low heat will gradually dry them.
The loose lids let out the steam from the process of drying and provide an even texture. It will take about 6 to 8 hours depending on the size of the figs and their water content. Check once in a while for a leathery texture.
This is a state-of-the-art technique where a freeze dryer dehydrates the figs. The process is initiated by freezing the figs at very low temperatures, which eventually turns their moisture into solid. A freeze dryer will then gradually remove this ice through sublimation.
This could take 24-48 hours. This will result in crispy, lightweight figs that have retained all flavor and nutritional value for longer storage and easier use. Make sure the Refrigerator you will be using is Frost Free.
Smoker drying is a flavorful method to dry figs by placing them in a smoker set at a low temperature. This not only dries the figs but gives them an acquired taste of smoky flavor.
Arrange the figs on the racks in the smoker, having some space between the figs to enable the air to flow around them. This may take 4-8 hours of drying, depending on the smoker's temperature and size of the figs. Regular monitoring ensures that the figs dry to a chewy, leatherlike consistency and not beyond to an overly dry, burnt stage.
Air fryer drying is a great way to dry figs by simply placing them in an air fryer set at its lowest temperature. The figs are laid side by side in the basket so that air can move around and dry out each one properly. This very low setting will help to draw off moisture without cooking the figs.
This process typically takes 4-8 hours, depending on the size of the figs and the brand of air fryer being used. For that nice, chewy texture, it should be fully dried but not over-dried.
Radiator drying involves arranging the figs in racks or screens placed near the radiator. The figs are gradually dried by the heat from the radiator. The heat from the radiator thus evaporates the moisture in the fig, therefore drying it evenly.
It takes about 2-5 days, depending on the radiator temperature and humidity of the room. It is also worth noting that the figs should be looked at quite often and they must not lie on top of each other, as parts may dry unevenly and grow mold.
Convection oven drying gives a further boost to air circulation and moisture removal through the inclusion of a fan in the convection oven. Using an oven at 135-140°F, place figs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced apart for even drying.
A fan spreads heat evenly while cutting down on drying time, which will be six to ten hours depending on the size of the figs and how well the oven performs. Checking on it regularly will prevent tough overdrying and ensure a uniform, chewy texture.
Figs are one of the very ancient fruits obtained from the fig trees that are native to the Middle East and Asia. They have been cultivated since time unknown. Figs find a place in many recipes, whether as cake, pie, or jam.
Fresh figs are also relished in garnish or served with cheese on a platter. There are over 600 varieties of figs, but the most familiar type is black mission figs. Black figs are small and have dark purple skin. They have an inside that is sweet with a soft texture.
Drying figs is like giving them a vacation from the fridge! Not only do they get to stay sweet and nutrient-packed, but they also become the ultimate travel-friendly snack. Drying increases the lifespan and makes the figs more versatile.
A dried fig, moreover, is less perishable than fresh ones; hence, it reduces wastage, making the preservation of seasonal harvests practical. Their compact size and lightness made them easily storable and transportable, adding to their convenience.
Harvesting figs is the first way to the path of drying. Harvesting should only be done once you know the figs are fully mature. Along with that you should also consider best time and the best way of harvesting figs.
To achieve the best results, figs should be harvested from late summer to early fall, typically between August and September, before they fully ripen. This is when their flavor is at its peak.
For outdoor fig trees, it’s best to harvest figs in the morning after the dew has dried, as this is when the fruit is most flavorful. Harvesting in high temperatures or when the fruit is wet can lead to spoilage.
Cut the fruit from the stem with clean, sharp pruners or scissors to ensure that next season the tree has new fruit. Depending on your needs, you can remove the figs one by one or cut out the whole branch, leaving a little of it to grow again, healthily.
This is important because, if you do not do this, the remaining branch could be damaged and your tree may not fruit well in years to come.
Dried figs, if stored well, could stay up to 6 to 12 months. For freshness, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Dried figs will stay good when stored in the refrigerator for up to a year and frozen for up to 18 months.
Before using the figs, check for smells or any other visible molds on the surface. Properly stored, dried figs remain a convenient, tasty snack for months to come.
The following conditions are important in storing figs to maintain the flavor and quality of the dried figs for the longest time. Some of the key factors to be considered include:
Store the dried figs in containers that have an airtight seal. This will prevent them from coming into contact with air. The process of oxidation with air results in the loss of flavor and potency of the figs.
It is important to use glass or plastic jars with tight seals as they do not react with the figs, changing their properties. Alternatively, using vacuum-sealed zip-lock bags also works well in a pinch.
Light and heat can provoke an event that will help in the deterioration of essential oils, color, and the general quality of figs. Keep the container always, when not in use, in a dark, cool place away from possible sources of heat, such as a stove or oven, like a pantry, drawer, or cupboard.
Light can also encourage mold growth as it's not possible to ensure the interior is completely microbe-free. You have to keep a close eye on it.
If you live in a humid place, ensure the storage area is dry by having it be a small enclosed space or through other methods such as the use of drying desiccants such as a silica gel to absorb the moisture from the air near the fig jars.
Moisture can cause the figs to clump up as well as facilitate the development of mold. So, while not fulfilling other conditions that only reduce shelf-life, storing in humid environments makes it dangerous to consume the figs at all.
Only open the container whenever necessary or god forbid, forget to close the container entirely. Minimize the opening frequency of the container to prevent the exposure of the figs to air and moisture which degrades its shelf-life time.
The best practice in relation to the identification of old and expired dried figs, or any other dried fruit, is labeling by date on the jar container. Not everyone wants to go through the hassle of it all. So here, we bring you three other alternative methods to ensure that your figs are still up to date.
Dried figs can be visually inspected by checking for discoloration or molds on the dried figs. The actual color of the figs should be uniform, normally they are deep brown or purple. They are also without irregular spots or growths.
Same as the day you dried them, considering that's the whole point of preserving things to ensure they stay that way. If it passes the first test, then it's time for the second test.
Take a little dried fig and sniff to check the aroma. Dried figs must possess an enticingly sweet, fruity fragrance. If they are still fresh and have been correctly dried and stored enough, then the smell should be pungent and refreshing.
If it smells weak or different, it is time to discard them. Otherwise, proceed to the last test.
If it looks and smells good, then it should be fine enough to pass the taste test. Pick and taste a small piece of fig. They should be sweet and flavor-rich.
If they taste bland, sour, or otherwise "off" from what you would expect or remember that dried figs are supposed to taste like, then they have lost their flavor and there is no longer any reason to keep them around.
