How Do I Know When My Figs Are Ready to Pick?

Judging the right moment to pick a fig is a skill, and getting it right makes an enormous difference to the flavour experience. Figs do not continue to develop sweetness after picking in the way that some fruits do — a fig picked before it is fully ripe will remain under-ripe no matter how long you leave it at room temperature. Conversely, a fig left too long on the tree will quickly soften further, attract wasps and birds, and may split or develop grey mould. The window of perfect ripeness can be as short as one to two days per fig, which is why checking the tree daily during the harvest season is worthwhile.

The drooping neck

An unripe fig holds itself upright or at a slight angle on the shoot, with the neck (the stalk end) pointing upward or outward. As the fig ripens and the internal flesh softens, the weight of the fruit causes the neck to bend so the fig hangs down, pointing toward the ground. This drooping posture is one of the most reliable early signs that the fig is approaching or at full ripeness. An upright fig needs more time.

Softness at the base

Gently press the base (the rounded end opposite the stalk) of the fig with your thumb. An unripe fig is quite firm throughout. A ripe fig will yield noticeably under light pressure and will feel soft and yielding at the base — not mushy or collapsed, but distinctly softer than an unripe one. This test, combined with the drooping posture, is usually sufficient to confirm readiness.

Skin colour change

The exact colour of a ripe fig depends on the variety. Brown Turkey, the most widely grown UK variety, turns from green to a brownish-purple when ripe. White Marseille turns from green to a pale yellowish-green or cream. Rouge de Bordeaux turns deep reddish-purple. Learn your variety's specific ripe colour — a Green Ischia, for example, stays green throughout and you must rely more on feel than colour for harvest timing.

Nectar at the eye

As a fig reaches full ripeness, a small drop of clear, amber-coloured nectar sometimes appears at the eye — the small opening at the base of the fruit. When you see this, the fig is at or very close to peak ripeness. Pick it that day.

How to pick a fig

Twist and pull gently — the fig should come away easily from the shoot. Wear gloves or wash your hands immediately after picking, as the latex sap in the stalk and shoot can cause skin irritation and, in some people, a photosensitive skin reaction when exposed to sunlight. Handle ripe figs gently as they bruise easily.