How to Dry Figs

Figs are a delicious and healthy fruit that can be eaten fresh or dry. The practice of drying figs has been in existence for generations as this helps you always to enjoy their natural sweetness and richness throughout the year. This article will teach you how to dry figs at home using various techniques and steps for better results.

Why Dry Figs?

Drying figs is a great way to help keep them longer as well as make them available for different uses in recipes. Dried figs can be used in cooking, salads or even eaten as snacks. They are enriched with natural sugars, fibers, vitamins, and minerals making them tastier as well as nutritive.

Several reasons exist why one would prefer to dry his/her figs at home:

1. Preservation: Whenever you dry your figs they never go bad; instead you may store them over several months.
2. Taste: During the drying process, the sweetness of any ripe fig tends to increase due to concentration.
3. Affordable: Preparing dried figs at home could be cheaper compared to obtaining them from shops.
4. Control: When it comes to drying your figs at home, nobody else is involved except you hence no preservatives nor artificial additives are allowed

How to Choose Figs for Drying ?

To get the best results, it is important to determine and select the right kind of figs for drying. Here are a few things you should consider when choosing figs:

• Ripe Figs: Make sure that whatever figs you opt for are mature. They should be plump and slightly yielding. Overripe figs will not dry well, while those that have not ripened enough will lack flavor.
• No Bruising or Damage: Inspect the figs for signs of injury or bruising. Check that the fruits are in perfect condition to avoid any challenges during the drying process.
• Varieties: Although all types of figs can be dried, some common ones like Black Mission, Calimyrna, and Kadota make ideal material due to their sweet flavor and firm texture when dried.

Guide on Drying Figs: Step-by-Step Directions

There are various ways you can dry your figs depending on your resources or climate conditions in your area if there is a need for this. The following section outlines three popular methods which include air drying, oven drying, and using food dehydrators.

1. Air Drying Figs

This traditional method requires minimal equipment and is quite easy. It works best in warm arid regions.

Materials Needed:

• Ripe figs;
• Clean kitchen towels or cheesecloth;
• Sunny and well-ventilated place;
• Drying rack/screen

Instructions:

1. Fig Preparation: Rinse the figs in cool water, blot them dry after taking a bath with a clean cloth, and for large ones slice them in half to quicken the drying procedure.
2. Arranging the Figs: Place the figs in a single file on racks or screens that aid in air circulation.
3. Cover the Figs: To prevent insects from attacking the figs, place a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth over them allowing airflow as pests are kept away.
4. Sun Dry: The rack is placed under direct sunlight in a well-ventilated environment whereby the temperature should be around 85°F (29°C) or higher for effective air drying.
5. Turning Needed: The figs should be flipped over every day so that all sides can be dried equally.
6. Check for Dryness: By about 4-7 days, the fruit will feel leathery and pliable but not sticky or mushy
7. Storage: After they have fully dried out, put them into an airtight container and store them in a cool dark place.

2. Oven-Dried Figs

If you live in a humid or cool climate, oven drying is also a worthwhile option for air drying; it is much faster and most people have all the necessary apparatus in their homes.

Things You Will Need:

• Ripe figs
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Oven

Steps for Oven Drying Figs:

1. Prepare the Figs: Clean the figs and pat them dry with a towel. For bigger ones, cut them into halves so that they dry uniformly.
2. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven at its lowest temperature possible which is usually around 140°F to 160°F (60°C to 70°C); if your oven cannot attain this low temperature, slightly open the door to allow circulation of moisture outside and reduce temperature.
3. Arrange on a Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out single-layered figs on it; ensure they do not overlap each other.
4. Dry the Figs: Put the baking sheet into the oven and let the figs dry for about 8-12 hours; turn them every two hours to guarantee a uniform drying process.
5. Check for Doneness: They should feel leathery but still pliable; be careful not to over-dry as they will become tough.
6. Cool and Store: Once dried, give them adequate time to cool before placing them in an air-tight container for storage.

3. Dehydrator Method

When you use a dehydrator to dry figs, it is very convenient and reliable. The machine will give the same results each time and it needs less watching.

The following are the materials needed:

• Ripe fruits
• Dehydrator

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Figs: Just as in other drying methods, wash the figs and let them get dry by patting them with a tissue. You can also slice big figs into two parts if you wish.
2. Arrange in the Dehydrator: This will ensure that they do not touch and that each layer is a single one.
3. Set the Temperature: Set your dehydrator temperature at 135°F (57°C) for fruit drying.
4. Dry the Figs: Depending on their size and moisture content, leave them to dry for 12-24 hours. Once in every few hours, examine the figs by turning around trays if necessary.
5. Check for Dryness: These should be leathery when through but should have some pliability left in them.
6. Store the Dried Figs: Allow your dried ones to cool fully before putting them into an air-tight container.

Tips for Storing Dried Figs

Storage is essential to protect the quality of dried figs so here are some useful tips:

• Airtight Containers: To avoid absorbing water from the air, store dried fruits inside air-sealed cans or containers.
• Keep the holder in a cool and dark place to avoid heat and light exposure, which can lead to spoilage of figs.
• • If you live in a humid area, think about placing your dried figs in a refrigerator for them to stay longer.
• • You may freeze-dried figs for up to one year. Store the figs in the container for long term storage.

Conclusion

Drying figs at home is simple and rewarding because it allows you to enjoy this delicious fruit throughout the year. After air drying, oven drying, or using a dehydrator, it becomes a sweet and nutritious snack that can be used in various ways. Thus, with the help of this tutorial, you will be able to have preserved figs’ natural benefits, while having stocks of dried fruits at hand whenever necessary.