Fig Cider?

b555wpd · Jun 16, 2019

I have a massive fig tree that is about to have thousands of ripe figs. I can only eat so many, I will probably freeze some for smoothies, make some preserves for gifts, bit for all the rest I was wondering if I could make a cider. I have made apple cider each fall for the last 5 years but never wine. Could I grind up figs and press them like apples then ferment? Everything i have read about fig cider is just adding dried figs to apple but apple season here isnt till late oct. It's also peach season here soon and I can get those for $15 a bushel, would the same apply to those?
Open to any thoughts on what to do with all these figs.

DIYer · Jun 17, 2019

I don't know about cider, but I saw a thread recently over on the sister site, Wine Making Talk, about fig wine....

https://www.winemakingtalk.com/threads/fresh-fig-wine.57275/

AzOr · Jun 17, 2019

I tasted some fig cider made by a friend and it was very good. I believe he made a typical cider and then added chopped figs midway through fermentation. It also had some spice added. I believe cinnamon. It was well balanced. I'm not sure how many lbs/gallon he used.

GeneDaniels1963 · Jun 17, 2019

I made a fig drink a couple years ago. It was a pretty good, but the body was a bit on the heavy side for a wine. Still, it was a big hit with friends. I will probably make another gallon this year since my fig bushes are loaded. Below is the recipe I used:

1 1/2 lb dried figs
1 1/2 cups rasins
zest, pulp and juice 2 oranges
2 1/2 cups honey
3/4 sugar
16 cups boiled water
SG 22 BRIX
1 week later I removed fruit and added 1/2 cup water that was steeped 8 oz chopped figs
(can't remember what yeast I used, probably Nottingham ale yeast)

I suggest you stabilze and backsweeten by reserving 1 or 2 cups of the original must.

Also, there will be a big difference if you use fresh figs instead of dried like i did. They will taste lighter, and you will need much less added water.

Of course you could do a fig cider, just plan to use lots of figs as they have a delicate taste that is easy to get lost.

Also, you might want to make a basic ale with a couple lbs of figs thrown in the secondary. That is one of my ideas for fig harvest season this year.

gratus fermentatio · Jul 7, 2019

b555wpd said:
I have a massive fig tree that is about to have thousands of ripe figs. I can only eat so many, I will probably freeze some for smoothies, make some preserves for gifts, bit for all the rest I was wondering if I could make a cider. I have made apple cider each fall for the last 5 years but never wine. Could I grind up figs and press them like apples then ferment? Everything i have read about fig cider is just adding dried figs to apple but apple season here isnt till late oct. It's also peach season here soon and I can get those for $15 a bushel, would the same apply to those?
Open to any thoughts on what to do with all these figs.

You might try a fresh fig wine, here's a recipe:
https://winemaking.jackkeller.net/reques6.asp
Regards, GF.