Introduction:
Fig or fig tree Ficus carica is a distinctive fruit of the Middle East and western Asia which is relished for its taste and nutritive value. A member of the mulberry group and occurs in warm regions and some of the countries where it is grown include Turkey, Egypt, Greece, as well as California. Black Mission is dark purple, Kapota is green, and Cali Myrna is greenish-yellow and can be used for different tastes. Fresh, dried, or prepared in many delicious ways, they can be eaten in sweet deserts, in sauces, with cheese or nuts, with honey. Notably, figs are not fruits but caprifigs which are inverted flowers, and several of the fig varieties can only be pollinated by specific wasps indicating very unique mutual biology. Figs, sung in history and myth, culture to this day stand for wealth, and also perform different dietary purposes in multiple world cuisines. Fig full with potassium ,iron, calcium .
Origin of fig:
The ancestry of the tree is reported to have originated from Middle East and some part of Western Asia. The figs form part of some of the earliest domesticated fruits known to have been used by early man several thousand years ago. From archeological records it is evident that figs had gone through domestication about 5,000 to 6,000 BC and the area of its initial cultivation could be Jordan Valley .Figs were used by ancient Egyptian, Grecian and Roman peoples. They are described in many of the oldest works, for example in the bible as symbols of fertility, and in Greek mythology as symbols of knowledge of abundance .Fig trees were domesticated and improved in the ancient world by Neolithic people and as the result of cultivation trading of figs extended to Mediterranean areas and warm temperate regions. Today they are enjoyed globally, Cultivated most abundantly in Mediterranean areas, California, middle east Asia.
Varieties of fig:
Figs are many and varied in their type based on their taste and size and color. The most commonly grown are Black Mission, the fruit for which has dark purple to black skin, pinkish-red pulp and has got a very sweet taste more or less like jam and Brown Turkey, a resistant and productive variety of fruit having brown to purplish skin and a peculiar sweet and earthy taste. Kapota type has greenish yellow skin and amber colored pulp, which is less sweet and is primarily meant to be dried and canned , Adriatic which is used in fig bars has light green to yellow skin and bright pink to red flesh being very sweet. Cali Myrna is another type of Smyrna fig that needs to be hand pollinated by fig wasps; it is of pale gold and honeyed and nutty. The Desert King, a San Pedro type, differs with green skin, strawberry pulp, and good early cropping without pollination. Other special type of figs are Striped, which includes; Panache (Tiger Fig) that is sweet and fruity; Celeste (Sugar Fig) that has very sweet light purple to brown skin; Violette de Bordeaux with very deep red flesh and berries taste. The best type of fig depends on the climate, in this case for cold climate Celeste and Brown Turkey would be best for warm climates Black Mission and Dakota are the best.
Nutrition value of fig:
Figs are well appreciated fruits packed with nutrients and numerous health benefits thus making them a natural fruits. One hundred gram of fresh fig has about 74 calories, 19.2 grams of carbohydrates, 2.9 grams of fiber, and small amount of fat and proteins. They are packed full with vitamins, particularly vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and B1, B2 and B6 which play important roles in maintaining eye health, immunity and energy production. Figs also contain the minerals like calcium (35 mg), potassium (232 mg), magnesium (17 mg) and iron (0.4 mg) courtesy of which support bone strength, blood pressure regulation and red blood cell synthesis. Dried figs, with 249 calories per 100 grams, supply even greater amounts of fiber as well as calcium and iron. Organic figs are believed to be rich in fibers, calcium; contain low cholesterol, sodium and are naturally sweetened to improve digestive system, bone quality and heart health.
Characteristics of fig:
Fruits are special with few qualities Figs Ficus carica belongs to the category of fruits. Most are pear-shaped or oval, 1-2 inches long, in some cases smooth or sometimes lightly textured skin, they can be green, yellow, red, purple, black or even a combination of these. It is a cuticle and beneath this is a layer of pale pink or amber to deep red or purple, succulent pulp containing seeds that are crunchy when eaten. Figs are versatile fruits that have a delicious sweet taste often described as honey like with some tinge that is slightly acidic and the fruits have an earthy hue. They also have an odor that is sweet, that is, they have a floral and especially musky odor. Figs are produced on certain varieties of deciduous trees or shrub with big, lobular leaves and are suitable for arid, warm conditions. It relies on particular wasps, but some types, such as the familiar fig, may bear fruit without pollination. Figs are mainly culled in the late summer to early fall seasons, though they rot very easily, they are preserved by drying. Figs are a delicate fruit is favored in its fresh form and also as dried fruit food product because of its softness, sweetness and flexibility.
Health benefit of fig:
Figs contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants which makes them a good healthiness contract good for our health. They are constituted of as a rich source of fiber hence play a significant role of combating constipation and at the same assist digestive health. Figs are also good for the heart since they contain potassium, which is essential for controlling high blood pressure, and the fiber that brings down cholesterol. Figs contain a lot of calcium and magnesium that are important for healthy bones and may be of benefit in treating osteoporosis. A second note is that their fiber makes it easier to get full, which is good for weight loss; third, as they are low on the glycemic index, they are suitable for diabetics. Figs also improve skin health as it contains antioxidant such as vitamin C that aid in preventing skin damaging and improving skin texture. The ability of their compound to augment immunity as well as decrease inflammation also contributes to improved health status. Fresh or dried, figs are a very useful fruit for digestion, heart problems, bone issues and skin disorders, anti-inflammatory and immune system booster.
Uses of fig:
Figs are known to be used predominantly as a fruit that can be eaten raw but also used in cooking and offer health boosting properties. The green figs that are newly harvested are best eaten as they are, or can be included in salads, some desserts and baked products. They are perfect when served alongside cheese including goat cheese or brie or incorporated into dishes such as roasted meats, sauces or dressings where its sweet, rich notes will make a pleasant addition. Shriveled figs are well known for their consumption as snacks and used in trail mixes, granola bars and can also be chopped or used to make smoothies. On the same note Figs are also processed to produce jams, jellies, and preserves because they are sweet and are ideal as spreads. Some ethnicities eat figs in dishes involving oils and beneficial grains like couscous and rice, as the natural fruits complement taste of oils and spices. Apart from culinary purposes, figs have been used in traditional treatments because of their health properties. A traditional use of the fig tree is in herbal teas and perhaps is effective for regulating both fasting blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Externally, raw or unripe figs have been used as poultices where a dressing, mixture of the freshly crushed fig leaf or paste from the fig has been rubbed or applied over the skin to expiate skin diseases such as eczema or burns by virtue of their anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, they take figs in natural cures for constipation because the fruit has high fiber density. Because of these effects, they are incorporated in lotions that aim at shielding the skin from oxidative effects that cause skin roughness and give healthier skin.
Drinks of fig:
Figs are used as an additive in drinks because they add a natural kind of sweetness and an incredibly dense flavor. They should be consumed raw as they can be mixed with other fruits like bananas and berries or with dairy or plant based milk to produce a smooth texture. A popular prepared form is obtained by blending the fresh figs with water and sieving the pulp, to give a natural sweet fruit juice which is taken with other fruit juices. For a very thin and refreshing drink, figs in water are appropriate since figs are soaked in water to give water a slight Figgie flavor; extra nutrients come from herbs such as mint or basil. Fig leaf tea is another popular drink, prepared by an infusion of dried fig leaves in boiling water assumed to be having the following health benefits including, moderation of blood glucose level. Fig syrup can be used to sweeten drinks, to give a nice, concentrated fig flavor to carbonated water, tea or cocktails. Figs also make it into fig cocktails, including fig margaritas, fig mojitos, or as a flavored liquor such as fig flavored gin, which is used to devise new tasty and inventive fruit cocktails. Also, fig liqueur, in its various forms, can be prepared at home by soaking the figs in such spirits as vodka or brandy and giving g the consumer a chance to enjoy a delicious alcoholic beverage which can be taken as an aperitif or mixed in cocktails. These fig based products offer wonderful and healthy choices for non alcoholic and also alcoholic drunk choice.
Dessert of fig:
Figs are great for using in desserts of any kind and really helps the overall taste and texture of the dish. They can be used fresh as well as dried in many of the recipes that follow .Fig tarts are on the menu list and the most favorite one, this dessert is a crust made from butter and filled with a rich delicate custard or mascarpone cheese with fresh sliced figs on top. Figs cakes is another of my favorites whereby figs are mixed with the batter to enrich it in moisture and natural sugar. Fig jam or fig compote can be spread over cakes, ice cream or pastries which gives the meal a fruity thick layer. Stuffed figs are made to look like luxury sweets, they are sweetened with cream cheese, honey and nuts and roasted to give a gooey caramelized type of texture. Fig ice cream is and exotic and luxurious novelty dessert made from figs, cream, and sugar. Another quick and easy dessert is figs roasted with honey and cinnamon, and honestly, roasting the figs just enhances the already amazing sweetness of the figs and cartelizes the honey. Fig cookies remind you of fig Newtons and are traditional, with a fill of sweet gooey figs sandwiched between a tender, cookie-like base. In tarts, cakes or as a topping, figs are one of the most versatile fruits out there boasting their sweetness and delicious taste.