The main varieties of this fruit include:

• Adriatic 
• Black Mission
• Brown Turkey
• Calimyrna
• Kadota

Origin of fig

Figs were often used to sweeten food before sugar became commonly available. This fruit was used in ancient India in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of ailments. It is believed that Buddha sat under a fig tree when he received enlightenment. This sweet fruit is also mentioned in the Bible and some biblical scholars think that the forbidden fruit of Eden refers to figs, not apples. 

Figs have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine, which classifies them as a balanced yin and yang food item. This fruit was a key component of the Mediterranean diet and the Anatolian king, Mithridates, proclaimed them a health tonic. This fruit tree has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years and there is archaeological evidence that wild figs have been growing on earth for 60 million years. 

Nutrition

One medium-sized fig can contain:

Figs are nutrient-dense and energy-rich food. This fruit is also high in antioxidants, and research suggests that consumption of it can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Research also shows that figs have antibacterial, anti-fungal, antispasmodic, antiplatelet, antipyretic, anti-HSV, hemostatic, hypoglycemic, anticancer, and antituberculosis properties. Regular consumption of this fruit can help prevent a number of diseases. However, figs are a relatively common allergen and diabetic people must avoid ingesting too much of this fruit.

Commercial production

This fruit requires warm climates to grow. They grow best in places with both hot and dry summers and cool and wet winters. Fig trees can handle poor soil and drought conditions, but they thrive best in a well-drained loamy soil.

Turkey is the highest producer of this fruit in the world, providing around 20% of the world’s fig yield. Egypt is the second-largest producer of this fruit. Other major producers are Morocco, Iran, Algeria, Greece, Syria, the USA, and Spain.  

Fig recipes

This healthy fruit can sweeten any dish without the addition of sugar. Here are a few recipes:

• Fig Juice
• Oven Roasted Figs
• Fruit Bars
• Fruit Jam
• Fig Almond Tart
• Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs
• Fig Cobbler
• Fig Cookies
• Fig Newtons
• Fig Coffee Cake

FDA regulations

The FDA classifies this fruit under the rarely consumed raw category and strictly regulates all aspects of its growing, harvesting, packing, and storage. Canned figs are also regulated by the FDA and are described as food prepared from mature fruit of the light or dark varieties, to which lemon juice can be added. Fig juice must have at least an 18.2 percent concentration of juice. 

References

Watson, Molly. “Guide to Buying, Storing, Serving, Growing Figs.” The Spruce Eats, The Spruce Eats, www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-figs-4021777. 

David G. Himelrick, Fig Production Guide, Department of Horticultural Science, Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, https://hortintl.cals.ncsu.edu/articles/fig-production-guide

Mawa, Shukranul et al. “Ficus carica L. (Moraceae): Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Biological Activities.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2013 (2013): 974256. doi:10.1155/2013/974256, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789402/ 

Armstrong, W.P., Ancient Figs Of The Holy Land, Wayne’s World, An Online Textbook of Natural History, https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/ww0501.htm

Essa, Musthafa Mohamed et al. “Long-term dietary supplementation of pomegranates, figs and dates alleviate neuroinflammation in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.” PloS one vol. 10,3 e0120964. 25 Mar. 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0120964, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4373715/