Dorothy FarrarFigs
The fig has been a popular food and medicine since ancient times. The fruits contain many vitamins, minerals and fiber that act as antioxidants and protect against cell damage.
Interesting facts about figs
Figs are among the world’s oldest cultivated plants. They originally come from the eastern Mediterranean regions, but are now also grown in South Tyrol, Ticino, southern Europe and parts of Baden.
Figs are about eight centimeters tall and pear-shaped. The skin is green to dark purple, the flesh is soft and has a refreshing and sweet taste. In Mediterranean countries, figs are harvested twice a year, with the fruit harvested in June and July being larger than those in August and September.
The figs are dried in hot air ovens or in the sun, which reduces the water content. The sugar content, on the other hand, increases to around 60 percent. The dried figs are then pressed under steam to create rolls that are then commercially available. In ancient times, figs were considered a staple food and they are still eaten today – together with nuts – in many Mediterranean countries during the lunch break.
importance to health
Figs were already cultivated 5000 years ago in the Middle East and Southwest Asia and the ancient Greeks already knew that the fruits are quick suppliers of energy and can prevent muscle cramps , which is mainly due to the high mineral content.
Due to the high fiber content, eating figs also promotes digestion. The fruit also stimulates urination and fights off cancer-causing cells. The potassium it contains normalizes blood pressure and the vitamin C protects the vessel walls from arteriosclerosis .
In addition, the milky sap found in the branches of the fig tree has a healing effect and is used in naturopathy for stubborn calluses.
Ingredients & nutritional values
Figs contain a lot of roughage and little fat, other ingredients are calcium , phosphorus , magnesium , iron and provitamin A. These substances are present in a very concentrated form, especially in dried figs. The magnesium content is particularly high here, which means that dried figs are particularly popular with vegetarians and vegans.
intolerances
Dried figs are poorly tolerated by individuals suffering from fructose malabsorption. In this case, flatulence , intestinal cramps or diarrhea occur after consumption . In the case of fructose malabsorption, fructose can only be absorbed by the body to a reduced extent and migrates directly into the large intestine , which triggers the symptoms.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Various types of figs are now available in supermarkets. These are often named after their origin. For example, there are bougie figs, calamata figs or bari figs. Figs are really ripe when they yield to the touch of a finger, give off a pleasant scent and still have a firm skin.
The right packaging is also an important criterion. Fresh figs are extremely sensitive to pressure and are therefore wrapped in tissue paper. In any case, the packaging should protect the fruit from bursting open or bruises. If you buy dried figs, you should make sure that they are packed airtight. Organic figs are of particularly good quality.
Fresh figs should not be stored for too long. At room temperature, they can only be kept for about a day, in the fridge they will keep for about three days. Dried figs usually have an expiration date on the packaging.
The skin of the fresh figs is edible, but they should be washed well and then patted dry with paper towels. The stalks are then cut off and the fruit quartered or halved depending on the recipe. If you want, you can also spoon out the pulp. In winter, figs are mainly imported from Australia, California and Brazil, although they are often not as aromatic as figs from Europe due to the long journey.
Preparation tips
Figs can be eaten fresh or used in tarts, cakes, salads or jams. In many Mediterranean countries, the so-called fig bread is also made from the fruit. Fig cheese is also produced in Portugal and Spain, which contains spices, pistachios , almonds , pine nuts and ripe figs.
Figs are ideal for desserts because they are not too sweet, but they can also be used in a variety of appetizers such as fig salad or figs on Parma ham . They can also be baked or filled.
A combination of ham, goat cheese and figs is very popular , simply heating the ingredients in the oven until the cheese melts. Dried figs are suitable as an ingredient for fruit bars or muesli, but also go well with couscous , beef roulades or wild boar fillet.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.