Figs - Seasonal Fruit Spotlight
The Fig would be a top pick to signify Valentine's day - except technically the fig isn't a fruit - it is an inverted flower.
So, next valentines day you could give your valentine (or yourself) a dozen figs and see how that goes!
Figs are in season RIGHT NOW in South East Queensland. In fact - if you want one, go right now and find one, and then come back and read the rest of this post 😄.
Where to Buy
You can buy figs at your local seasonal fruit dealer, markets or online grocery stores. They were in abundant supply at the West End Markets today. The figs pictured above came from Happy Farmers Organic Farm via the Echo Valley Online Shop. Market Organics and Spray Free Farmacy both stock seasonal figs right now.
The price of a fresh fig ranges from $1.50 - $3 per fig.
How much do you know about figs? Is the only time you've heard of them when singing Christmas Carols? "Now bring us some figgy pudding!"
FYI - Figs were the world's first cultivated tree - so other humans, well before me, loved figs too. Here are some other fun fig facts:
Fig Facts
- Ancient Olympians were awarded figs and so the fruit is known as the first 'Olympic medals'.
- The tree is native to the Middle East and Mediterranean
- Figs are among the most highly alkaline foods
- The inside of figs resembles a womb (TMI?) and figs have been a symbol of fertility for eons.
- Throughout history and around the world the fig tree has been a symbol of abundance, peace, and prosperity.
How to buy & store
Figs are fragile. Choose figs that are plump and either not too hard, or not too soft. Don't wash them until you are ready to eat them. Then wash them gently, and eat all the way up to the stems. I don't peel mine, but the outside can leave a fuzzy sensation in your mouth, so you can peel them if you like. Eat them whole, or slice in half as in the photo above. They are a bit tricky to cut into slices due to their soft and delicate insides.
Dried figs are also available, and Sovereign Foods stocks quality Australian dried figs from Rosnay organic farm. These are dehydrated at a low temperature and packed with no preservatives.
But when it comes to a fresh perfectly ripe fig, as Sinean O'Conner would say, 'Nothing Compares to You'.
For more interesting snippets about the history and uses of foods, come along to one of my upcoming workshops. In the first workshop on Thursday March 6 at 10am we'll be making and chatting about yoghurt, which pairs nicely with fresh figs : ).
Are figs a favourite food of yours? Comment on the socials, or sign up as a subscriber to comment or chat directly.
Now, fig off! Just kidding. Go get some figgy pudding : )
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