FIG

Belonging to the mulberry family, there are a plethora of fig tree varieties. Most of them are small at 10-30 feet and thrive in warm, dry climates. Pollinated by a tiny wasp, fig trees never blossom because the flowers are on the inside, producing dozens and sometimes hundreds of minuscule seeds that give figs their unique, crunchy texture.

Botanically figs belong to the mulberry family (Moraceae), in the genus: Ficus. Scientific name: Ficus carica.

The Taste:

Basically feels like eating juicy sweet flowers as the flower is on the inside.

Very interesting fruits to consume. The skin is like a latex but it’s is edible to eat them. 

Delicious, sweet fig fruit is one of the popular fruits enjoyed since ancient times. Fig is rich in natural health benefiting phytonutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins. Entirely developed and ripe fig features bell or pear shape with succulent, juicy flesh inside. Dried figs, indeed, are a highly concentrated source of minerals and vitamins.

Health Benefits

Figs are high in fiber and a good source of several essential minerals, including magnesium, manganese, calcium (which promotes bone density), copper, and potassium (which helps lower blood pressure), as well as vitamins, principally K and B6.

They are good when dried too. Besides keeping much longer, the nutritional value of figs increases when they're dried. A half-cup of fresh figs, for instance, provides as much calcium as the one-half cup of milk, but a single dried fig contains almost as much calcium as an egg. Whether fresh or dried, figs contain powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals in your body and fight disease.

Fun Fig Fact

• Fig trees have no blossoms on their branches. The blossom is inside of the fruit! Many tiny flowers produce the crunchy little edible seeds that give figs their unique texture.
• Figs naturally help hold in moisture in baked goods, keeping them fresher
• In Roman times figs were considered to be restorative. They were believed to increase the strength of young people, to maintain the elderly in better health and to make them look younger with fewer wrinkles. –Pliny (52-113 AD).
• Eating one-half cup of figs has as much calcium as drinking one-half cup of milk.
• Many believe it was figs that were actually the fruit in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, not apples.

Select and store

Avoid very soft, broken, bruised, fungus inflicted fruits. Similarly, unripe green fruits as they are bitter (astringent) and therefore, out of flavor.
Fig fruit perishes rather very quickly and should be eaten while fresh or else should be placed in the refrigerator where it stays fresh for 2-3 days. Put them in a plastic or zip pouch and store in the fridge set with high relative humidity. However, dried figs can stay for 6-8 months