Fig Facts (2024)

FAQs

What are some unique facts about figs? ›

Although commonly called a fruit, the fig is truly an “infructescence” or “multiple fruit” — a cluster of flowers that each produce a fruit and form into a single mass, much like a pineapple or grapes. Figs have a sweet, berry-like taste and a unique soft and chewy texture.

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!”

Figs are sweet and chewy, with edible seeds that have a slight crunch when eaten. Nutritionally, figs contribute potassium to the diet, which helps balance sodium levels and potentially reduces high blood pressure. They also contain a robust amount of calcium. Figs are also naturally quite high in dietary fiber.

How many figs should I eat a day? Eating 2-3 figs a day is generally recommended to enjoy their nutritional benefits without overconsuming sugar. What figs do to your body? Figs provide a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, promoting digestive health, heart health, and overall well-being.

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.

Transcendence is achieved by keeping alive the relationship with God: the fig represents a fruit of the spirit, which gives security and prosperity to the soul, as well as to the body.

The first is the Tree of life and the second is the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve used the leaves of the fig tree to sew garments for themselves after they ate the "fruit of the Tree of knowledge" (Genesis 2:16–17), when they realized that they were naked (Genesis 3:7).

The image is taken from the Old Testament symbol of the fig tree representing Israel, and the cursing of the fig tree in Mark and Matthew and the parallel story in Luke are thus symbolically directed against the Jews, who have not accepted Jesus as Messiah.

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.

What are 3 benefits of figs? ›

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.

Figs are inside out. People used to think fig trees had no flowers, but in fact they're hidden inside the fruit in a fun reversal of everything we thought we knew about plants. Because figs bloom internally, they can't be pollinated in the same way as other fruits, and that's where our friend the fig wasp comes in.

Many believe it was figs that were actually the fruit in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, not apples. The early Olympic athletes used figs as a training food. Figs were also presented as laurels to the winners, becoming the first Olympic “medal.” In Roman times figs were considered to be restorative.

Figs are delectably sweet, and there's a reason for that: lots of natural sugar. Six dried figs have about 24 grams. That's offset by a reasonable amount of fiber, Gardner said – about 5 grams, or more that 17% of the recommended daily value. That fiber helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

Amazingly, for something that is so naturally sweet, figs are also extremely nutritious. They contain all sorts of minerals – iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium – dietary fibers, and vitamins A, B1 and B2.

Figs are inside out. People used to think fig trees had no flowers, but in fact they're hidden inside the fruit in a fun reversal of everything we thought we knew about plants. Because figs bloom internally, they can't be pollinated in the same way as other fruits, and that's where our friend the fig wasp comes in.

Figs Were First

New archaeobotanical evidence pushes the dawn of agriculture back to 11,400 years ago, when humans living in a village eight miles north of ancient Jericho began propagating seedless figs.

Flavor is just the beginning. High in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, figs have also been attributed aphrodisiac properties. Don't gorge yourself just yet, guys. As a natural 'Viagra' it's no stronger than a big soft sugar pill, and the fruit's laxative effects will kick in before you feel any hint of arousal.