Figs have many names: fig, wine berry, fig tree. The first mention of figs is found in Egyptian papyri in 2700 BC. The famous thinker and philosopher Socrates was a great admirer of this fruit and believed that it removes harmful substances from the body.
The doctor Galen used it as the basis for preparing a special diet for athletes who competed in the Olympic Games. Figs were a quick way to regenerate, relieve fatigue, and energize athletes.
General characteristics
Figs grow on medium-sized trees. The leaves are quite large and are divided into lobes. When the large pear-shaped flower blooms, it produces a fruit. The inflorescences are separated by sexe s-male and female-, a unique phenomenon rarely seen in nature.
Today, the flower also grows indoors. Its size does not exceed 2 meters. The fig fruit resembles a small bulb and can vary in color from yellow to deep purple depending on the variety.
To the touch it is soft and meaty, without dents or flaccidity. Dried figs look like gold coins. They should be shiny and may have a white patina.
Fresh, ripe figs have a sweet, fleshy flavor and many small seeds inside the fruit. Figs are often found dried, with an even sweeter, richer, and more honeyed flavor.
Where does it grow?
The fig, or fig tree (as it is often called), is native to Arabia. It is also found in Egypt and Syria. As a subtropical tree, figs grow on the slopes of Crimea, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Tajikistan.
The root system of this plant is very strong, so the choice of soil is not bothersome, it can grow in mountainous areas.
What does a fig tree look like?
The fig fruit resembles a small bulb and can be yellow to dark purple in color depending on the variety. It is soft to the touch, fleshy, not dented and not lazy. Dried figs look like gold coins. They should be shiny, possibly with a white patina.
Chemical composition
The benefits of figs have been proven and appreciated by many doctors and nutritionists since ancient times. It is due to its rich composition, which includes many useful substances.
Proteins, fats, carbohydrates
There are not many proteins in figs, about 3%. There are almost no fats: up to 1%. But carbohydrates – up to 70%, which include amino acids, including all essential. The figs contain glucose, sucrose and small amounts of maltose, fructose and Arabinous.
Vitamins
The composition of this fruit includes vitamins of group B (thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, B5, B6), vitamin A, beta-queratin, vitamin PP, ascorbic acid.
Mineral composition
Calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, potassium, zinc, selenium, sodium, phosphorus are the set of micro and macronutrients found in the fruit of the fig tree.
Nutrients
All what is useful in the product is called nutrients. Figs contain macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). It is these components that constitute the nutritional value of the product.
No n-essential nutrients (essential amino acids, some vitamins, micro and macronutrients), which are not produced by the body itself, must proceed with food. The fruits of the fig tree are an excellent source of these elements.
Calories
Figs are a very caloric product. In the fresh fruit 54 kcal per 100 grams, and in dry – 257 kcal.
Fig properties.
Thanks to this composition, the fig bench has a large number of beneficial properties:
- It relieves fatigue and helps to recover quickly. Due to its high content of carbohydrates, which the body absorbs rapidly, the consumption of figs helps in case of overwriting and favors an explosion of energy.
- Vascular problemsThe composition of the figs contains an enzyme: the ficina. Reduces blood coagulation and the number of vascular clots. This fruit is consumed to dilute blood, instead of “aspirin.”
- Cardiovascular system. Figs intervene in hematopoiesis and normalize blood pressure.
- With colds, throat pain, fever, throat pain, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is very useful decoction of figs. Important: Do not pour water on the fruit, and milk! Take before meals and at night.
- The bactericidal properties of the plant are used for cosmetic purposes to combat acne. The pulp is applied for 20 minutes and washed with warm water. A mask of this type will help relieve redness and dry the acne.
- Useful for varicose veins. Rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium, figs relieve fatigue and swollen legs.
- The regular consumption of a decoction based on wine berries “expels” the sand and the stones of the kidneys.
- Laxative effect. The fruit of the fig tree contains small seeds that act as irritants of the intestinal wall, thus increasing its peristaltic properties. To obtain good results, nuts should be used.
- Figs refresh the breath. Thanks to their bactericidal properties, figs keep their mouth clean.
- Treatment of sexual problems. In alternative medicine, the fruit of the berry of fig is used to treat female genitals. The consumption of figs stimulates libido.
Attention. Despite all their merits and utility, figs have contraindications.
- Gastrointestinal tract diseases. With gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis and other inflammatory processes – its use is strictly prohibited in any way. Fiber content (seeds and pulp) and oxalic acid act as irritating digestive organs.
- For drop.
- For diabetes. The fruit of the fig tree has a high content of carbohydrate s-sucks -, so people who control blood glucose should refrain from consuming it.
- For overweight. Figs are very caloric and rich in sugars.
- They can abruptly lower blood pressure. People prone to hypotension must be careful with this fruit.
- Do not forget its laxative effect.
What to eat and what amounts
The fig tree is a southern plant. Therefore, this fruit is consumed fresh in the countries where it grows. They are usually exported as dry fruit, since ripe figs spoil quickly. The figs that are collected green do not mature and have a sour taste. But dry figs can be easily transported and stored.
When tourists reach warm countries, they try to eat many fresh figs “for a lifetime.”However, you have to stick to a norm to avoid digestive problems. An adult should eat between 5 and 7 figs a day, and a child between 1 and 2. Important: figs are very caloric and have a laxative effect.
Figs are often used in the kitchen. They are added to both sweet dishes and to meat dishes. As the main ingredient, figs are ideal for sweets, jams, jams. In combination with bacon, cheese, eggs (added to tortillas) can be used in traditional kitchens from various countries.
Collection and storage
The storage of fresh figs is problematic. It is a fact. The mature fig should be consumed before 5 days! When they are ripe, the figs begin to ferment, a process intensified by the sugars that compose them. For this reason, in most cases it is stored dry.
Use a glass bowl with lid. Guard it in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. Keep the lid well closed, since the figs absorb odors. If they are stored for more than one or two weeks, open the container and air it. This helps eliminate condensation and mold.
Interesting! The pollination of fig flowers is only possible in nature thanks to the wasps of figs. Only these small insects transport the pollen of the “male” flowers to the “female”. The life of these wasps depends completely on the fig trees. There they find the s o-called Hiel (neither male nor female) flowers and there they deposit their larvae. Thus, the fig tree is home, food and work for these wasps.
