Good and Good for You -- Figs

Figs have a long history as a food source. Fossilized figs have even been found at ancient archaeological sites dating back to 9300 BC.

It’s believed they were first cultivated in Egypt (having been mentioned often in ancient writings and Biblical texts) and they spread throughout the Mediterranean quickly becoming a food staple.

To the Romans, figs were considered a sacred fruit. According to the legend of Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome, the wolf they were raised by rested under a fig tree.

Symbolically, in art and religion, the fig tree represents abundance, fertility, and sweetness, while fig leaves figs represent modesty or the protection of modesty (Adam and Eve sported fig leaves in the garden to hide their nudeness).

Figs pack a combo punch of taste sensations – they’re lusciously sweet to eat, chewy on the outside and crunchy on the inside because of their seeds.

And for such a small fruit, they pack a big punch.

FIGS

Ÿ Both fresh and dried figs are high in iron and calcium (which helps promote bone density).
Ÿ Figs are a good source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure.
Ÿ Figs are a good source of natural sugar.
Ÿ Dried figs are good for weight management because they are chocked full of dietary fiber.
Ÿ Fresh figs are a good source of several B vitamins.
Ÿ Dried figs have a higher concentration of potassium, as well as calcium. The only downside is that dried figs are also higher in calories, so you may want to watch your intake.

Fresh figs are a late summer-early fall fruit, but dried figs are available year-round.

Because fresh figs have a short shelf life, they are best eaten shortly after buying them. The short shelf life is also why commercially they are more often sold dried or in jam form; fresh figs just don’t travel well.

The two most common types of fresh figs sold in grocery stores are the Black Mission (blackish-purple skin and pink flesh) and Calimyrna (greenish-yellow skin and golden yellow flesh).

When you buy fresh figs, look for those that are plump and tender (soft but not too mooshy). You can tell how fresh figs are by smelling them too, they should have a lightly sweet fragrance. (If they smell sour, just walk away, cuz it means they might be spoiled.)