Dried figs ensure that your favorite fruit is available year round. They’re great as is, but sometimes you want a softer texture or perhaps infusing aromatics into the fruit. But, how to rehydrate dried figs? And is that the same thing as poaching figs? Learn more below.
You can use dried figs as is, or reconstitute them by soaking them in warm water until they are soft.
Most of the recipes we have that rehydrate dried figs use the hot infusion method. This involves bringing heating a liquid and then pouring it over the dried figs. They are set aside to steep for a specific amount of time and this does several things. First, the hot temperature helps soften the skin and outside of the figs, making them more penetrable. Then, the liquid is absorbed into the figs. This is such a great sneaky way to amplify the flavor in a final bake or in cooking because the entire fruit is redolent with the taste of the liquid mingling in the figs.
On your pantry shelf at home, those California Dried Figs are many things—snack or an ingredient for baking or cooking…or the catalyst to make fig vodka. Have you ever thought about rehydrating dried figs? When you rehydrate figs, you not only plump up the harvest-picked fruit, but introduce flavor in a deeper way. Here’s how to rehydrate dried figs.
Lastly, you have counter infusions that are not specific to cold or hot temperatures and largely revolve around alcohol. You can make a bespoke fig vodka (or chai-spiced fig rum) so easily at home. Here the alcohol breaks down the dried fruit walls faster yielding a quicker infusion or one that takes longer for a deeper flavor. Try it for yourself to make custom cocktails, boozy truffle centers, DIY gifts, or more.
Did you know there are more than 1200 varieties of figs in the world? So, the first thing to think about is what the fig type brings to the baked good you’re trying to concoct. Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Dried Figs and Blue Ribbon California Dried Figs are sun-ripened on the branches to harvest perfection. It’s hard to truly describe how our premium dried figs stand apart from others in the market, which is why we suggest trying them to taste the difference. They are not the desiccated type that far too often dried fruit and fig lovers think of when thinking of dried figs. Instead, you will find a supple texture to them…perfect for eating out of the bag or for rehydrating.
Golden Dried Figs offer a more subtle sweetness and delicate nuttiness. These amber-toned figs can go anywhere a dried apricot or sultana has been… and offer something a bit different! They pair well with white chocolate, rose or white wine, vanilla, and citrus. Use Golden Figs for a softly nuanced DIY fig vodka.
How to Rehydrate Dried Figs
The first thing to know is that the liquid used for rehydrating figs should be hot. This helps penetrate the cellular walls of the fruit. Some recipes will recommend simmering the fruit in the infusing liquid for a short period of time.
Most of the time though, rehydrating figs happens by adding dried figs into hot liquid, set off-heat to steep for a period of time. Here are a few recipes that use the method of rehydrating figs.
How to rehydrate dried fruit
FAQ
How do you make dried figs soft again?
How long do you soak dried figs?
Is it safe to eat old dried figs?
How do you keep dried figs moist?
Are dried figs good for rehydration?
Sometimes, it may so happen that your dried figs turn excessively dried and withered, which in turn makes them the best pick for rehydration. While not all dehydrated fruits might work as the best fit for your meals, the rehydrated figs can add both soft flavor and texture.
Are dried figs as healthy as fresh ones?
Dried figs will be just as healthy as fresh ones, the only different will be that they are a little less filling and are actually slightly lower in calories, only 20 compared to the 30 of fresh figs. The only issue with dried fruit is that since they are less filling it is easy to overindulge, so just be aware of how many you want to eat and stick to it.
How do you rehydrate dried figs?
Use dried figs anywhere you would normally use a date, whether it be in desserts, smoothies, or dried granola bars. It is also used in making jams. To rehydrate dried figs, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using. The soaking water can also be used in your recipe if it calls for water. Figs provide the following health benefits:
Do figs need a dehydrator?
One advantage of using a dehydrator is that it’s easy to dry a large batch of figs at once. Plus, the consistent temperature and controlled environment of the dehydrator can help prevent mold and other quality issues from forming. Sun drying figs is a traditional method of preserving fruit, which has been used for centuries.