Figs have a unique, sweet taste, soft and chewy texture, and are littered with slightly crunchy, edible seeds. figs are delicate and perishable, so they are often dried to preserve. This produces a sweet and nutritious dried fruit that can be enjoyed all year round. There are multiple different varieties of dried fig, all of which vary widely in color and texture. Their unique feature is a little bud-like opening called an ostiole at the top that helps the fruit develop. Their natural sweetness meant that, before the days of refined sugars, they were often used as a sweetener.