Figolicious - everything you want to know about figs

This delicious fruit has an interesting background that really speaks to the value of the fruit in the present world of food. Figs have been popular for a very long time and we're actually used as a sweetener before the major widespread of sugar. It is said that this fruit had originated in the Northern parts of Asia. The fruit has many symbolisms tied to it in different religions and cultures. Figs were used to symbolize fertility, peace and prosperity.

Ancient Olympians used to eat figs as training food as it was believed to make them stronger. During this time, figs were awarded as medals during the Olympics. For the elderly people, figs were eaten because many believed that it made them look younger and due to that fact, I now want to eat figs for the rest of my life.

Fig trees can live up to 100 years old and they flourish in climates that are incredibly hot and arid. This fruit needs a large amount of sunlight to ensure they reach the perfect ripeness. You know the fruit is ripe when it reaches a deep rich purple colour, close to black almost and the fruit also seems a bit dry, that is the perfect time for picking the fruit off the tree.

Figs can come in many forms such as frozen, canned and of course fresh. They can be blended to a puree and used in baking to keep baked goods moist as well as be used to replace the fat content in baking recipes. The flavour of figs can be described as a mixture between strawberry and dates with undertones of honey and flowers. This jammy fruit is used in cakes, loaves and as garnish. Figs have many health benefits but just to name only a few of them, they are high in calcium and fibre meaning it will definitely help with a consistent digestion for the body. The fruit also helps maintain good blood sugar as the fruit is fat-free as well as cholesterol-free. The fruit holds nutrients such as iron, potassium and magnesium.

Figs can be used in savoury dishes and sweet dishes and I hope to see them next on your shopping list !

References:

Valley Fig Growers, n.d, Fascinating Fig Facts, Valley Fig Growers, n.d, https://valleyfig.com/our-story/fig-facts/ , 05/08/2024

Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, 2019, The History of Figs, the spruce eats, 26/06, https://www.thespruceeats.com/history-of-figs-1807598, 05/08/2024

SaVanna Shoemaker, 2020, All you need to know about figs, Health line, 03/06, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/figs-benefits, 05/08/2024

Jessica Yoon, 2024, What is a fig? Plus how to eat figs, eating well, 30/04, https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7961780/what-is-a-fig-plus-how-to-eat-figs/#:~:text=All%20figs%20have%20a%20jam,of%20honey%2C%20flowers%20and%20nuts. ,05/08/2024

WebMD Editorial Contributer, 2022, Health Benefits o Figs, WebMD, 19/09, https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-figs , 06/08/2024