English Name: Fig
Botanical Name: Ficus carica
DESCRIPTION: A soft, sweet pear-shaped fruit that contains small seeds often eaten dried.
ORIGIN: The fig tree is native to mediterranean region. The fig tree has a long time symbol of Western culture, may also be one of the earliest domesticated plants in the world reports evidence for parthenocarpic figs from the greater Mediterranean sea region dated 11,700 amd 10,500 years ago. The edible part of the fig called the “fruit” is not really a fruit its a synconium.
The Spanish missionaries brought it to the United States in 1520. In Greek mythology, the fig figures prominently as a gift of Demeter to Dionysus and as having received the sancity of the Greek gods.
The most famous Bible reference to figs is that, in which Jesus cursed a fig tree for not producing any fruit for him as he passed by, a curse that killed the fig tree, Matt 21:18
NATURAL BENEFITS: Fig tree fruit is high in iron, calcium, potassium and fiber. It also contains protein digestive enzymes.
USES: Cooked figs were used as sweetners in ancient times also used as a diuretic and a laxative. Figs are used as a meat tenderizer and a taste enhancer. Dried figs are often used to substitute recipes that require dried apricots, dates, and plum.
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