Figs have a very soft flesh filled with small, edible seeds. This makes it an ideal candidate for juicing with a masticating juicer or other manual device. If you do use a mechanical juicer, be sure to clean out the machine frequently during juicing as the flesh can easily clog the blades.

What are the Best Figs for Juicing?

Figs are a unique fruit in that they actually flower inside of the fruit itself. They range widely in size and color, although all have a similar texture and flavor. In America, most figs are grown in California and shipped throughout the country. Most harvest figs are dried, but some are available fresh for juicing or eating raw.

Some of the best varieties of fig for juicing are the Brown Turkey, Celeste and Mission. These are all moist, meaty varieties of fig that have a lot of juice and thin skin. Other varieties are better for drying due to their dry flesh or thicker skins. Most dark-skinned figs are better for juicing, while those with yellow or green skin are best for drying and are usually not sold fresh in markets.

How to Choose a Fig at Market

Figs ripen at the end of the summer, with most available in stores from August through October. Other figs are available year-round, but they have a slightly different flavor and may not be as rich or sweet.

The best figs for juicing will be extremely ripe and soft to the touch. When squeezed, a ripe fig will burst open at the bottom, and you will be able to feel the insides moving when you apply pressure to the skin. Many figs in the market are picked before they’re ripe and will have a firmer skin. Figs will not continue to ripen once they’ve been picked. They are edible when firm, but the flavor will not be as pronounced.

Some tears in the fig’s skin are to be expected, but don’t choose any fruit that’s been heavily damaged or smashed. Also be sure to smell the fruit to detect any hint of fermentation. The fig will have a small dimple the bottom; this should be visibly moist.

After picking, figs must be kept refrigerated and are best if prepared immediately. Figs can begin to spoil after just a few hours left at room temperature.