Fig
FIG • syconium (inverted flower cluster)
How to Tell if Fig is Ripe
Store CheckFig is a non-climacteric fruit and does NOT ripen after being picked. It will only soften or rot. Buy it ready to eat.
👁 Visual Checks
- Look for uniform color without green under-tones
- Check for matte/dull skin rather than shiny plastic finish
- Look for natural sugar spots or field marks
✋ Tactile & Aroma
- Heft: Should feel heavy for its size (indicates juice content)
- Give: Slight yield under gentle palm pressure, never thumb poking
- Aroma: Fragrant sweet smell at the stem end
How to Store Fig
Storage Protocol: Store immediately in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Keep away from high ethylene emitters like bananas and apples.
Peak Seasonality & Harvest Geography
In California, figs have a brief first crop in June and July and a main crop from August through October. Across most other northern-temperate regions, fresh figs are mainly a late-summer fruit.
Common Varieties & PLU Codes
| Variety Name | PLU Codes | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Black Mission | 4048 | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Calimyrna (Smyrna) | 4048 | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Brown Turkey | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Kadota | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Celeste (Sugar Fig) | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Tiger Stripe (Panachée) | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Adriatic (Candy Stripe) | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
Kitchen Pairings & Chef Hacks
Flavor Pairings
Chef Hacks & Prep Tricks
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