Figs (ficus carica) are among the juiciest, sweetest and most fragrant fruits of late summer. They also have a rich history – mentioned in the Bible, they were said to grow in the Garden of Eden and their leaves were allegedly used to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness.
The fig is believed to have originated in western Asia before being cultivated throughout the Mediterranean and eventually the world.
Figs are bell-shaped with slightly wrinkled, leathery skin. They can be brown, purple, green, yellow or black, and vary in size. Their high sugar content puts figs among the sweetest of fruits. Each fig ‘fruit’ is actually an enclosed flower head containing many tiny flowers and seeds.
Buying
Choose clean, dry figs with thin, unblemished skin. A fig’s skin colour makes little difference to its taste; it will range from palest green to deep purple. Figs should be soft and yielding when gently squeezed, but still hold their shape. Ripe figs are very delicate, so take care not to squash them when packing them for the trip home.
Storage
Keeping ripe figs cold will slow deterioration. If you’re not using them immediately, store figs in a plastic bag in the coldest part of the fridge for up to two days. Chilling can spoil the flavour, so remove figs from the fridge to serve at room temperature. Under-ripe figs can be kept at room temperature for one or two days until the flesh softens.
Preparation
Fresh figs are usually eaten raw. They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun. The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish. Always cut off the stem. Wash the figs and gently pat dry to serve whole.
Nutrition
Figs contain small amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin B6, while the many small edible seeds and edible skin means high fibre content. The red-purple skin indicates levels of protective antioxidant phytochemicals.
Varieties
Figs are classified by colour – white, black or red. These are the more popular varieties:
Black genoa figs have a dark purple skin, white flesh and white and red seeds.
Adriatic figs are known for their pronounced flavour, especially when dried.
Brown Turkey figs are medium to large with a purplish-brown skin and sweet, juicy pulp.
Mission figs are purplish-black with red flesh. They are full-flavoured, with a moist and chewy texture, best eaten fresh.
Calimyrna figs are large, with green skin and white flesh. They have a desirable, honey/nut-like flavour.
Kadota figs are medium-sized with a yellowish-green thick skin. The sweet, white to amber-pink pulp has only a few
Cooking
Make a mouthwatering salad by chopping fresh figs and tossing with shredded rocket leaves, crumbled goat’s cheese and toasted walnuts.
Blend spreadable cream cheese with finely chopped macadamia nuts and a little honey. Spread over thinly sliced prosciutto and wrap around fresh fig halves. Serve.
Thickly slice figs and place in a heatproof baking dish. Drizzle with vanilla custard to just cover. Sprinkle with raw sugar and ground cinnamon. Cook under a hot grill until just warm. Serve immediately.
FAQs
If a female burrow into a female fig, she cannot lay her eggs and dies of starvation. However, she does bring pollen into the internal flowers of the fig, pollinating it. So yes, there is at least one dead wasp inside the figs that we like to eat. This applies to southern figs.
Can too many figs cause constipation? ›
Figs may cause digestive upset or diarrhea due to their anti-constipation effects. They may also interfere with blood thinners, and some people may be allergic to them.
How many figs should you eat a day? ›
When it comes to raw fruit, you can easily have 2-3 figs in a day. If you are having dried figs, stick to 3 figs and do not have them without soaking overnight. Our body can absorb the nutrients and digest some dried fruits and nuts in a better way when they are soaked well.
What is the spiritual meaning of figs? ›
Fig trees represent our earthly nature as co-creators. As a keystone species, the fig awakens our collective memory of belonging to each other. It inspires us to share our creative energy and desires. Figs resemble a woman's womb, signaling that now is a fertile time in our life.
What did Jesus say about figs? ›
Jesus and the Fig Tree
Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if perhaps he would find anything on it; and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the time for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”
Why don't we eat male figs? ›
Male caprifigs contain the pollen needed to ripen female figs. There are several varieties of male caprifigs, but none of them bear edible fruit. It is inside these male, inedible figs that pollinator wasps lay their eggs and collect the pollen they will use to ripen edible female figs.
Who cannot eat figs? ›
People who are sensitive to mulberry, natural rubber latex, or weeping fig might have allergic reactions to fig. Surgery: Fig might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.
What are the disadvantages of eating figs? ›
The side effects of eating figs are: Because figs contain a lot of fiber, eating too many of them can cause diarrhea. Figs are high in calories, so eating a lot of them will not help lose weight. Individuals who are allergic to rubber latex or birch pollen could be allergic to figs.
Which is a better laxative prunes or figs? ›
Best Dried Fruits for Constipation
A 1/4 cup serving of dried figs contains about 4 g of fiber, per the USDA, which is comparable to the fiber found in one medium grapefruit. Prunes, also known as dried plums, a common remedy for treating constipation, contain about 3 g of fiber per 1/4 cup, according to the USDA.
What is the best time to eat figs? ›
Figs are high in fiber, and eating them first thing in the morning keeps you fuller for longer, which is why they take longer to digest, stopping you from absorbing more calories.
Soaking figs in water makes them softer and easier to digest.
What is the healthiest way to eat figs? ›
The best way to enjoy figs is raw, with the skin and seeds intact. You can also remove the peels and scoop out the seeds, if you like, or cook figs by baking, broiling or grilling them. But, the quickest and easiest way to enjoy these gems is by removing the stem and taking a bite right out of the raw fig.
Why fig is called the fruit of heaven? ›
In Koran, in Surah At-Tin God swears upon fig by saying “by the fig, and the olive.” Prophet Muhammad, in one of his hadiths, said “If a Fruit ever descended from Paradise, I would say that this is it, as heaven's fruits contain no pips. Eat from it…” Fig had been a symbol of abundance in Ancient Greece and Egypt.
Why did Jesus cause the fig tree? ›
In cursing the fig-tree, he shows "His justice on the sinners who bring forth not the expected fruits of grace." Since even though a person should only expect fruit from a tree in its season, God by contrast always has the right to expect from mankind the fruits of righteousness and piety.
What chakra is figs? ›
Purplish-red foods—such as red grapes, blueberries, blackberries, figs, plums and pomegranates—also support the sixth chakra.
What is the mystery behind the fig tree? ›
Mark uses the cursing of the barren fig tree to bracket and comment on the story of the Jewish temple: Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem when Jesus curses a fig tree because it bears no fruit; in Jerusalem he drives the money-changers from the temple; and the next morning the disciples find that the ...
What you never wanted to know about figs? ›
Luscious sweet figs are among the oldest cultivated fruits, prized for their honeyed flavor and soft, jammy texture. But did you know that figs are technically not fruits but inverted flowers, some of which are pollinated by wasps in an amazing symbiotic relationship?
Are figs good or bad for you? ›
Figs are rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and provide fiber and smaller amounts of a variety of minerals. They may also support digestive, gut, and menstrual health, improve inflammatory conditions, aid weight management, and offer cancer protection.
What did the Prophet say about figs? ›
Figs were also mentioned in a hadith, or quote, by Prophet Muhammad, where he described it as a fruit that has been sent down from heaven. Hazrat Abu Darda narrated that someone presented the Prophet with a plate of figs and he said, “Eat figs!
