Finally got to sample one. It was starting to split on the bottom so I decided to take it before the ants discovered it. It could have stood another few days at least. Had a very nice berry flavor though and wasn't too bad for the first year in zone 6.

Looks delicious, John.

If yours are like mine just wait till next year.  I was not impressed at all last year with the few I got to taste.  This year on a well ripened fig phenomenal.

Nice photo of a good looking fig. My first to ripen were picked a bit early as well! I suppose that is pretty darn common. It gets easier as the rest start to ripen.

Last year was my first year that my CH produced. The figs were delicious and a couple of days does make a huge difference as I found out last year. I thought that last winter had killed her but shes alive and kicken again so with a little luck and maybe some winter protection this year I may have figs again next year. 

Hi John,

  I have been picking 25-30 Hardy Chicago every other day for a week or two now and I have noticed there is quite a range of colors, from light brown thru brown-purple (like yours) to a deep purple. I had always thought they ripened from brown to purple, but some of the brown ones are the ripest, like this dead ripe brown HC next to a VdB.  

Scott how old are your trees and how many of them.  I would love to be getting HC in those quantities.  Just wondering how much longer I have to wait.

thanks