Does Dried Figs Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 2nd, 2022

Dried figs were always considered a rare delicacy, but now, this natural confection has captured the hearts of many of us. Some may find it strange in terms of flavor, but most of us enjoy adding dried figs to our porridge in the morning or as a topping over muesli or yogurt.

Naturally, the question arises: how long can this meal be consumed? Can you possibly freeze figs? We thought you might be interested in learning more about it.

How Long Will Dried Figs Last?

The lifetime of this type of fruit is heavily dependent on storage circumstances. However, like any other dehydrated food, dry figs are long-livers and may easily preserve their quality for several months.

Figs, on the other hand, are incredibly sensitive fruits! Ripe figs are particularly fragile when freshly harvested and prone to deterioration if stored incorrectly. These fruits will decay in less than a week if we keep them in a place where they will be exposed to persistent strong light or severe heat.

Because they are selected and marketed completely ripe, it is easy to see why most of us prefer dried figs to fresh figs. For the same reason, fresh fruits are best preserved in canned or dried form or consumed immediately after purchase.

But what about the dry equivalent? Is it as tough to deal with? Fortunately, this is not the case!

When figs are dried, they become much more sturdy and long-lasting, and they may easily remain sweet and edible for several months. How long does dried fig fruit keep? Of course, it all depends on how well we keep them, but if all of the conditions are met correctly, these dry yummies will be able to satisfy us for over a year!

To help you better understand the storage differences between different varieties of figs, we’ve created a comparison chart that you can keep in your kitchen at all times.

However, just because dried fruits are long-lasting does not imply we should throw them away carelessly! Dry figs should be kept firmly packed in their original box or, if necessary, transferred to a resealable pouch or tank for storage.

And, of course, keep them in a shady location, like your kitchen cupboard, where light and heat cannot reach them. As a result, you can extend their lives while preserving their taste and quality.

Does Dried Figs Go Bad?

When it comes to food storage, any cautious homemaker, as well as anybody who cares about what they eat, asks whether this or that food might rot and how to avoid it.

And, contrary to popular belief, dried figs are not an exception! We used to believe that only fresh foods might go bad and rot and that dehydrating them would save them from this fate, but this is not always the case.

Dehydrated figs are just as fragile and decay with time, especially if we don’t store them correctly under the right circumstances.

But how can we know if they’re still okay to go or if we should dump them? In such a circumstance, thankfully, the technique is essentially the same as it is for any other food:

• Examine the fruits for mold spores. If you come across any, toss them in the garbage!
• If the figs don’t smell as they should or are already stinking, get rid of them immediately. There’s nothing there to rescue.
• Any changes in color and strange markings on the surface of the fruits, such as black spots, may be symptoms of impending deterioration. In this instance, what should be done with poor figures? We believe the solution is self-evident.

However, dried figs can produce white crystals on their surface, which is quite normal: these are natural sugars that merely come out on the fruit surface. Don’t be alarmed if you see something like that! Your figures are perfectly good.

What Caused My Dried Figs to Go Stale?

Dried figs can become bad for a variety of reasons. Some of the most prevalent reasons are:

• The figs were not properly stored.
• The figs had been exposed to air.
• They had not completely dried out.
• Too much heat was applied to the figs.

Can contaminated dried figs get you sick?

Illness is mainly caused by infected figs tainted with hazardous bacteria and mold.

Mold and bacteria may form on dried figs if not preserved correctly. Bacteria flourish in a humid atmosphere, and dried figs may spoil quickly.

How to store Figs

Because these fruits are so sensitive and delicate, it may appear that keeping them is difficult. True, especially if they are fresh, but learning how to deal with them both raw and dried will not take long.

What to do with fresh, ripe figs

They require great care and attention when they are fresh since rotting may occur very fast. And some helpful hints should be considered.

If you know you’ll eat the figs within two or three days, leave them on the counter. Place the ripe fruits on a dish covered with a paper napkin and keep them away from heat and light!

In addition, never stack fresh figs on top of one another. They are too soft and readily shattered, causing spoilage to develop much more quickly.

If the figs will not be consumed quickly, or if they have been on the counter for more than three days, it is best to refrigerate them. These fruits will keep for approximately seven days if exposed to frost.

If you are unsure whether chilling will assist, consider canning the figs. It will take longer since you need to disinfect the jars, prepare and cook the figs for three hours, and then pour the fig syrup into the tanks.

On the other hand, it’s probably worth a shot because unopened canned fruits are edible for eighteen months.

The dehydrated yummies may go into the fridge or pantry or be left on the counter. Whatever you do, ensure the figs are wrapped in an airtight tank or, at the very least, in a firmly sealed plastic pouch.

On the other hand, the dried kind must be stored away from dampness and in a cool, shaded location.

If everything is done correctly, your delectable treats will keep for 6-12 months in a pantry and roughly a year if refrigerated. However, if you choose to freeze them, their lives will be extended to 1.5 years.

Can Dried Figs Be Freeze?

Yes, you can freeze-dried figs. Freezing helps them stay fresh and useable for extended periods while having no negative impact on taste or texture.

How to Freeze Dried Figs

There are several methods for freezing figs; the approach that works best for you will depend on how you want to use the figs later on and if you plan to thaw them all at once.

Method No. 1: Chop and Freeze

If you’re going to cut the figs for baking, this approach is ideal.

• Using your hands or a food processor, chop the figs into tiny pieces. They can be difficult, so do this in little doses.
• Put the figs in a container or many tiny freezer bags to keep them fresh. Alternatively, store the sliced figs in ice cube trays if you’ll only be using/defrosting a tiny bit at a time.
• For future reference, label, and date the bags or containers.

Method 2: Freeze in Place

This approach is useful if you don’t want to cut the figs and want to take one or two out of the freezer at a time since it prevents the figs from freezing in one huge lump.

• Line a metal baking pan with greaseproof paper.
• Place the figs on the tray one at a time, leaving about an inch between them.
• Freeze the tray flat for 3-4 hours, or until the figs are firm.
• Place the frozen figs in an airtight container or ziplock freezer bag.
• For future reference, label, and date the bags or containers.

Method 3: Freeze them as they are.

You may also place your dried figs in the freezer as is. However, this will result in their frozen in one giant lump, which may take some time to thaw and require all of the figs to be consumed at once. This isn’t my favorite approach, but it works if you’re short on time or want to freeze a few dried figs.

Defrosting Dried Figs

Defrosting dried figs will take varying lengths depending on how many there are and how they were frozen. My tip is to always take them out of the freezer and defrost them in the fridge overnight the day before you need them. Alternatively, they can be defrosted on the counter for 2-3 hours before being moved to the fridge or relocated immediately.

What Can You Make With Fresh Figs?

This is a popular query among folks who have never sampled this fruit, particularly in its raw form. Another often asked question is, “Can you eat fig skin?” So, let’s work this out.

The fig skin is delicious from beginning to end. There is no need to peel fresh fruit before eating it. The only reason someone would do it is if they dislike eating the skin of fruits.

The best way to consume fresh figs is to eat them. The entire fruit, including the seeds, is edible. However, this fruit may also be used to complement a variety of cuisines.

• Raw figs, for example, go well with fruity salads.
• They go well with ice cream or other creamy treats.
• Choose raw figs for decorating pastries, muffins, and pies.
• Some people even put sliced figs on top of sandwiches. Mmmm, particularly with cheese! And why shouldn’t they?
• Raw figs can also be given on the side with meaty meals (for example, in a tomato-pepper salad to complement roasted beef or poultry)!

And there’s some pretty excellent news if you’re wondering how to cook figs. This fruit is quite simple to cook! It can be cooked, roasted, or just eaten raw. However, no specific culinary abilities are required to enjoy this delectable delicacy.

There are several ways to eat dried figs. You may eat them on their own or add them to desserts (only remember to soften them first by rinsing them in hot water, making their texture more delicate).

Dehydrated figs also pair well with crushed nuts, other dried fruits, and berries when combined into a paste with a tablespoon of honey.

Is it Healthy to Eat Figs?

If there were a competition for the title of healthiest fruit, figs would undoubtedly win “best of the dried fruit.” They have a favorable impact on our stomachs, causing them to function like well-oiled machines.

Also, by including this fruit in our regular diets, we can be certain that we will not get obese because figs are high in fiber, which keeps hunger at bay.

Also, don’t forget about calcium. Figs must become a mainstay in your diet if you want strong bones and good teeth.

You now know how to consume fig fruit and what to deal with bad dried figs. Also, we believe it’s evident that, despite its delicate character, this cuisine is worth having on your table as often as possible.

Are dried figs as nutritious as fresh figs?

“Why would I eat dried fruit when I can buy fresh fruit?” we hear you ask. Isn’t fresh fruit, after all, better than dried fruit?

If you have access to fresh figs and love eating them, go ahead and consume them! However, don’t dismiss dried figs altogether. Dried figs are a quick, simple, and nutritious snack that can be consumed practically anywhere.

It’s a frequent fallacy that dried fruit is less healthful than fresh fruit, but the fact is that high-quality dried fruits with no added sugar have a nearly similar nutritional profile to fresh fruits.

Questions and Answers

Is it OK to eat dried figs if you have diabetes?

They are, indeed. People with diabetes can consume figs regularly since they are high in fiber and assist in maintaining insulin function.

Can dried figs be used to treat constipation?

Yes, as well as dried prunes and dates. A paste of these three components can provide spectacular results in as little as 2-3 days.

What about figs and ibs that have been dried? Can they assist in alleviating this situation?

Those suffering from IBS should avoid figs.

Is it possible to blend dried figs and cheese in the same dish?

Absolutely! Furthermore, they complement each other perfectly regardless of the type of cheese used.

What is the maximum amount of dried figs a person with diabetes may consume?

One or two should be enough, but you should consult your doctor for an exact quantity.

Is it possible to rehydrate dried figs?

They can be reconstituted by soaking them in warm water, but they will never be the same as fresh figs.

Is it OK to eat dried figs at night?

Fried figs may be eaten at any time of day or night. However, if you have troubles the next day, cease taking it at night.

Since some people have complained that eating fruit at night causes them to become cold, but this does not happen to everyone; if you do not experience this, you can consume dry frigs at night.

Dried figs, as you may know, may also assist in maintaining the stomach in excellent health.

So, after a day of consuming garbage, you may consume dried figs before bed to keep your stomach healthy.

Furthermore, dried figs are abundant in Vitamin B6, which helps to keep cholesterol levels in the body in check and allows for simple digestion.

In addition, figs can aid with constipation.

Is it possible to eat dried figs on an empty stomach?

Like any other fruit, dried figs can be eaten on an empty stomach.

Eating figs on an empty stomach is a fantastic idea if you’re aiming to avoid carbohydrates and focus your diet more on fiber-rich foods.

Dried figs are so delicious that they may make up for the food you haven’t eaten, but if that isn’t enough, there are methods to include dried figs in your meals.

Here are some ideas for using dried figs in your cooking.

• You may enjoy it with any of your favorite snacks, such as yogurt or ice cream, by adding chopped dried figs.
• Dried figs are very tasty when cooked. Anything that may be baked in the kitchen can benefit from the addition of chopped dried figs. You’d enjoy the mix.
• You may also add dried figs to your oatmeal for breakfast.
• Use dried figs to add additional nutrition to any dish that calls for dates or dried apricots.

Is it possible to eat dried figs in the summer?

In the summer, you may consume dried figs. Also, if you’re used to eating fresh figs every day, dried figs might be a terrific summer option.

You may still buy dried figs in stores and keep them in your kitchen for regular usage.

There is heat throughout the summer, which often affects the skin. Therefore this is a good time to maintain your body fresh and consume more fruits.

According to one research, most people become chilly after eating dried figs, while some stay normal.

If you experience this cool feeling every time you eat dried figs, you have a huge advantage throughout the summer since you won’t be whining about the heat as much when you have your dried figs around.

Also, summer is a great time to get in shape, and if you want to reduce weight, consider eating some dried figs.

Figs include a lot of folic acid and iron, which are good for your blood. So, certainly, you may consume dried figs throughout the summer; there is no harm in doing so.

When Is the Best Time to Consume Dried Figs?

There is no set timing for eating dried figs. However, the optimum time to take dried fruits is in the morning to ensure that you have enough nutrients to go through the day.

You may eat figs at other times since they will still provide energy and will not hurt you.

When it comes to dried fruits, some beliefs suggest that eating them consistently causes fat to accumulate in the body; however, this is not the case.

Even if this is true, it demonstrates that eating dried figs first thing in the morning is the optimum time because you should have burned off all the fat by the end of the day.

You may also consume this fruit during the following periods.

You can eat it as a snack between breakfast and lunch (or) between lunch and dinner.

How Many Dried Figs Should You Consume Per Day?

On average, four to five dried figs (approximately 30 grams) can be consumed every day.

However, fig has a lot of fiber, and the body does not require a lot of fiber. So don’t eat too many of them in one day.

Some people may experience gastrointestinal troubles after taking such a large amount, which also depends on the other foods consumed.

So, please don’t go crazy with eating too many figs since it’s good, because an excess of figs will be lost in your stools.

Is it safe to eat figs daily?

You may eat figs daily, and many individuals have a ritual of eating a few dried figs. However, don’t eat too many figs since too much of anything is bad.

Also, it is unusual to find someone who can take only one item daily; eventually, you will become weary of it.

However, if you want to eat figs daily, you should limit your intake to a small quantity.

I’ll offer you a few reasons why eating figs regularly is beneficial.

• A dried fig can provide roughly 3% of your daily calcium requirements.
• Three dried figs provide 20 percent of the body’s daily fiber needs, comparable to 5 grams of fiber.
• Iron, as we all know, is essential for the body since it functions as a transporter of hemoglobin. Fig can supply 2% of the body’s daily iron needs.

Editorial Staff

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