With figs, the shelf life clock ticks faster than you would like. Read here when fresh and dried figs go bad. You can recognize a spoiled fig by these criteria. Find out here how figs stay edible for longer.
When is a fig bad?
Afresh figis bad at room temperature afterthree to five days. Spoiled figs are mushy, have an unpleasant smell and are moldy. Dried figsare no longer edible after six totwelve months. The fruits are sticky and affected by mold and yeast.
Can figs go bad?
Fresh figs are no longer edible atroom temperatureafterthree to five days at the latest. Because figs do not ripen, the fruits are harvested ripe and can go bad during transport to the supermarket. How to tell if a fresh fig is bad:
- Mushy pressure points.
- Mouldy coating.
- Musty to sour smell.
Dried figs can also spoil
As a dried fruit, figs are edible for up totwelve months. If stored improperly, the fruits will go bad within a few weeks. The figs ferment, become sticky, moldy and smell unappetizing.
How do fresh figs stay edible for a long time?
You can extend the shelf life of fresh figs byproper storageandpreservation. This is how it works:
- Store in the refrigerator: 5 to 7 days.
- Soaking in alcohol: 3 to 4 months.
- Dry in the oven and store in a cool place: 6 to 12 months.
- Freezing at -18° Celsius: 6 months.
- Canning in sugar: up to 18 months.
Tip
Eat fresh figs with or without peel
It is your culinary decision whether you eat a fresh fig with or without the peel. If the fruit comes from your own garden or is certified organic, you will benefit from an extra portion of vitamins and fiber if you eat the peel. Alternatively, you can peel or halve the fig and scoop out the aromatic pulp.
