Honey and Figs: Which Honey to Use, Roasted Figs and Fig Jam

Why Honey and Figs Work

A ripe fig is jammy and sweet: raw figs carry about 16 g of sugar per 100 g, against about 82 g for honey (USDA FoodData Central). Honey adds aroma more than sweetness here, so the honey you pick changes the dish more than the amount.

Most figs sold fresh in the US, such as Black Mission and Brown Turkey, are common figs that set fruit without pollination. Calimyrna, the California name for the Smyrna-type fig, needs fig wasps to set fruit. Either way, the fig you buy is ripe, soft and ready for honey.

• **Fresh figs:** mild honey (acacia, orange blossom, clover)
• **Dried figs:** bold honey (wildflower, buckwheat, chestnut)
• **Fig jam:** medium honey (wildflower, orange blossom)
• **Roasted figs:** orange blossom, wildflower or chestnut

Matching Honey to the Fig

**Black Mission and Brown Turkey (fresh):** soft, berry-like and sweet. Orange blossom honey is the easy match; acacia is milder still. Wildflower adds depth without taking over.

**Calimyrna (fresh or dried):** nuttier and paler. It stands up to buckwheat or chestnut honey, which would bury a Black Mission.

**Dried figs:** dense and very sweet. Use a bold honey or the honey just tastes like more sugar. Skip acacia here.

**Fig jam:** already sweet, so use honey for flavor. A thin drizzle of wildflower or orange blossom over jam on toast is enough.

Roasted Figs with Honey and Goat Cheese

The easiest fig appetizer there is: 10 minutes in a hot oven and a spoon of honeyed goat cheese. Serves 4 to 6.

**Ingredients:**

• 12 fresh figs (Black Mission or Brown Turkey), halved lengthwise
• 4 oz fresh goat cheese, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons wildflower or orange blossom honey, plus more for drizzling
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
• Leaves from 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup toasted pistachios or almonds (optional)

Roasted Figs: Method

• Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment.
• Set the fig halves cut side up. Drizzle with the olive oil and 1 tablespoon honey.
• Roast 8 to 10 minutes, until soft and browned at the edges.
• Meanwhile, beat the goat cheese with the remaining 1 tablespoon honey until smooth.
• Top each warm fig half with a small spoon of the goat cheese.
• Finish with a thin drizzle of honey, the salt, rosemary and nuts. Serve warm with bread or crackers.

Honey-Sweetened Fig Jam

Figs are low in acid, so the lemon juice matters for flavor and set. This is a refrigerator jam, not a canning recipe. Makes about 3 cups.

• 2 pounds fresh figs, stemmed and chopped
• 1/2 cup wildflower honey
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Method: combine everything in a heavy pot, bring to a boil, then simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often, until thick. Cool, jar and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

Figs and Honey on a Cheese Board

For 6 to 8 people, plan 4 to 6 fresh figs, halved, 1/4 cup dried figs and two honeys, one light and one dark. Set the figs between the cheeses and let people drizzle their own honey. Our honey and cheese pairing guide has more combinations.

• **Goat cheese + fresh figs + wildflower honey:** tangy and light
• **Manchego + dried figs + orange blossom honey:** a Spanish-style pairing
• **Brie + fresh figs + chestnut honey:** creamy against bitter-edged honey
• **Aged cheddar + fig jam + buckwheat honey:** the boldest of the five
• **Blue cheese + dried figs + lavender honey:** strong cheese, floral honey

More Ways to Use Figs and Honey

**Fig flatbread:** top flatbread with sliced figs, ricotta and prosciutto, bake at 450°F (232°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, and drizzle with wildflower honey after it comes out.

**Fig tart:** spread fig jam in a pre-baked tart shell, top with sliced almonds, drizzle with orange blossom honey and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 12 to 15 minutes.

**Yogurt bowl:** Greek yogurt, sliced fresh figs, a spoon of honey and granola. See our honey and yogurt guide.

**Dried fig smoothie:** soak 4 dried figs in warm water for 10 minutes, then blend with 1 banana, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon acacia honey and a pinch of cinnamon.