Figs are best eaten when they are slightly soft as hard figs mean they are not ripe. Figs are highly perishable so you should only be buying them no more than 2 days out before you make this salad.  Ensure there is no mould on the fruit and the stem is intact and bright green. The skin shouldn’t be wrinkly nor should it be bruised. Always buy them as individual fruit instead of in a pre-packaged scenario so that you can inspect each of them separately. At the price we have to pay for them, you can afford to be picky!