The best time for harvesting figs is when they reach maturity and have a sweet smell.
Figs average about one-half pound per tree and can be harvested at up to 1.5 pounds per day in some regions of the country, with bigger fruits tending to yield more edible fruit per tree. The slightly acidic taste of figs makes them an ideal ingredient in many types of recipes that require baking or cooking over slow heat (such as risotto).
Fig trees typically bear fruit on the branches that they grow closest to the ground. So, if your fig tree is in a pot, it might produce fruit in January and if it's in the ground, it might produce fruit in October.
The fig tree is one of the fruits that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. It was first mentioned by Aristotle who used it as a key ingredient for his recipe for jam. Popular uses include its use as a condiment for meat and poultry dishes and as pizza topping.