The Best Fig Varieties for Fresh Eating, Drying, and Jam Making

Figs are one of nature’s sweetest and most versatile fruits. Whether you’re growing them in your garden or picking them up at the market, different fig varieties shine in different ways. Some are best for fresh eating, others are ideal for drying, and there are a few that make the most flavorful jams and preserves. In this post, we’ll dive into the best fig varieties for all of these purposes, so you can choose the right type for your needs and enjoy figs all year round!

1. Best Figs for Fresh Eating

Fresh figs are a delicious treat, and the right variety will have the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and juiciness. Here are some of the top fig varieties you should consider if you want to enjoy figs fresh off the tree.

• Black Mission

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, rich, and jammy with hints of honey.
  • Description: The Black Mission fig is a popular variety known for its dark purple skin and bright pink interior. It has a tender texture and a rich, almost caramel-like sweetness that makes it perfect for fresh eating. Whether you slice them into a salad, eat them on their own, or pair them with cheese, Black Mission figs are a crowd favorite.
  • Best for: Fresh eating, salads, cheese boards, and desserts.

• Kadota

  • Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet with a honey-like flavor.
  • Description: Kadota figs are small, round, and greenish-yellow on the outside, with a pale interior. They’re sweet but not overpowering, making them ideal for fresh consumption. These figs are also a great addition to salads, adding a subtle sweetness without overpowering other flavors.
  • Best for: Fresh eating, salads, and fruit platters.

• Adriatic

  • Flavor Profile: Mild, sweet, and light.
  • Description: Adriatic figs are small, light green with a golden interior. They’re incredibly sweet when ripe and have a juicy, tender texture. Because of their subtle sweetness and juicy texture, they are fantastic for fresh eating, especially when served chilled on hot days.
  • Best for: Fresh eating, fruit bowls, and fruit salads.

2. Best Figs for Drying

Drying figs is a great way to preserve them and intensify their flavor. Some fig varieties naturally lend themselves to drying, resulting in chewy, caramelized bites that are perfect for snacking, baking, or adding to oatmeal. Here are the best fig varieties for drying.

• Turkey Fig

  • Flavor Profile: Rich, honey-like sweetness.
  • Description: The Turkey fig, also known as the Celeste variety, is a smaller fig with a deep purple to brownish skin and a light pink interior. When dried, the Turkey fig becomes dense and incredibly sweet, with a chewy texture. It’s one of the best varieties for drying, as it retains its flavor and sweetness even after the drying process.
  • Best for: Drying, snacking, baking, and adding to granola or cereal.

• Mission Fig

  • Flavor Profile: Intense sweetness, with hints of berry and caramel.
  • Description: Like the Black Mission fig, the Mission fig is also great for drying. These figs become chewy and very sweet when dried, with a rich, almost molasses-like flavor. They’re often used in snacks and desserts.
  • Best for: Drying, snacking, baking, and using in trail mixes.

• Kadota (Again)

  • Flavor Profile: Mild and honeyed sweetness.
  • Description: Kadota figs, with their light, sweet flavor, dry beautifully and become soft, chewy, and sweet with concentrated honey-like flavor. These figs are perfect for drying, and once dried, they make an excellent snack or addition to baked goods.
  • Best for: Drying, snack bars, and desserts.

3. Best Figs for Making Jam

Making fig jam is one of the best ways to preserve the fruit’s natural sweetness. Figs are high in pectin, which makes them excellent for jamming. Here are some of the best varieties for making delicious homemade fig jam.

• Brown Turkey

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet and rich with earthy undertones.
  • Description: Brown Turkey figs are one of the most commonly grown varieties and are perfect for making jam. They have a sweet, earthy flavor with a bit of a figgy bite, which helps them stand out in preserves. The texture is perfect for jams, as they break down into a smooth consistency while retaining bits of fruit.
  • Best for: Fig jam, preserves, and chutneys.

• White Adriatic

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly tart, with citrus-like notes.
  • Description: White Adriatic figs are known for their unique flavor, which balances sweetness with a slightly tart undertone. When made into jam, they produce a light, fruity spread with a wonderful complex flavor. These figs are ideal for more refined, lighter jams or spreads.
  • Best for: Fig jam, preserves, and fruit spreads.

• Panache

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet and mild, with tropical notes.
  • Description: Panache figs are striped, with yellow and green skin. They’re sweet and have a mild, tropical flavor that shines when made into fig jam. This variety is a great choice if you’re looking for a fig jam that’s not overly rich but still packed with flavor. The texture is smooth, making it a perfect consistency for spreading on toast or drizzling over pastries.
  • Best for: Fig jam, spreads, and baking.

Bonus: Figs for Other Uses

• Fig Leaves: Did you know that fig leaves are not only great for wrapping dishes like fish or chicken but also for making fig leaf tea? If you have a fig tree, don’t throw out those leaves! They have a unique, aromatic flavor that can elevate your culinary creations.

• Fig Preserves: You can make fig preserves by using a variety of figs and adding sugar, lemon, and spices. Preserves are a bit thicker than jam and often have chunks of fruit, making them perfect for topping desserts, yogurt, or even cheese.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Fig Variety for Your Needs

Whether you’re eating them fresh, drying them for later, or making a delicious homemade jam, there’s a fig variety that’s perfect for your needs. For fresh eating, go for sweet varieties like Black Mission or Kadota. If you want to dry your figs for snacks or baking, try Turkey Fig or Mission Fig. And for jams, Brown Turkey and White Adriatic figs will make the perfect spreads.

By growing these fig varieties or selecting them at your local market, you’ll be able to enjoy the sweetness and versatility of figs all year long.