Show Me a Picture of a Fig – All You Need to Know About This Delicious Fruit

Figs are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, dating back to biblical times. Their sweet flavor and interesting texture make them a tasty treat. If you’ve never seen a fig before, you may be wondering – what does a fig look like? Read on for everything you need to know about figs, along with plenty of fig pictures.

What is a Fig?

A fig is the fruit of the common fig tree, scientifically known as Ficus carica Figs have a unique structure – they are inverted flowers that bloom inside the fruit The seeds and crunchy bits inside a fig are actually its dried flowers and seeds.

Figs grow on small trees that originated in the Middle East and western Asia. They were one of the first plants cultivated by humans – archaeological evidence shows fig cultivation dating back to 9000 BC.

There are over 700 varieties of figs grown around the world. Popular varieties include Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Celeste, and Sierra.

What Does a Fig Look Like?

Figs come in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors depending on the variety. In general, they are pear-shaped with a bulbous end tapering to a short, thick stem. Unripe figs are usually green, sometimes with purple tinges. As figs ripen, they turn brown, purple, black, yellow, or a combination.

The skin of a fig is thin and delicate. When ripe, figs droop down from branches and often split open with the soft inner flesh spilling out. Inside, they contain tiny edible seeds and crunchy bits from the dried flowers.

Figs can range in size from smaller than a golf ball to larger than a tennis ball. Typical sizes are 1-3 inches long. Smaller varieties like Celeste tend to be more elongated while bigger types like Brown Turkey are almost spherical.

Here are some pictures of common fig varieties:

Black Mission Fig

Black Mission Fig

Brown Turkey Fig

Brown Turkey Fig

Celeste Fig

Celeste Fig

Sierra Fig

Sierra Fig

As you can see, figs come in many colors when ripe including dark purple, brown, yellow, green and more. Their shape also varies quite a bit.

How to Tell if a Fig is Ripe

Determining ripeness is important when picking figs – they don’t continue ripening once removed from the tree. Follow these tips for identifying perfectly ripe figs:

• Ripe figs will be soft and starting to bend at the neck from the weight of the fruit. Unripe figs will be firm and upright.

• Check the color. Ripe figs will be their mature color while unripe ones are often greenish.

• Give ripe figs a gentle squeeze – they should be soft with a little give.

• Small drops of nectar may be visible on the surface of very ripe figs.

• Avoid figs with splits, bruising, or wet spots as this indicates overripeness and spoilage.

• The best indicator is taste. Sample a small piece of fruit from different areas of the tree to find the ripest figs.

How to Eat Fresh Figs

Fresh figs are highly perishable and should be eaten within 2-3 days of picking. Their short shelf life is why most commercially grown figs are dried.

The delicate skin of ripe figs bruises easily, so handle them with care. Gently rinse figs under cool water right before serving. Keep stems intact until ready to eat.

Figs are delicious both raw and cooked. Enjoy their sweet flesh raw by simply cutting open and eating fresh. Add raw figs to fruit salads, cheeses boards, or eat them plain for a nutrient-packed snack.

Cooked figs pair wonderfully with meats like prosciutto, game meats, and pork. Figs also make delicious jam, chutney, and baked goods when cooked.

Health Benefits of Figs

Figs are nutrient powerhouses loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Studies have linked fig consumption with health benefits such as:

• Improved digestion and relief from constipation due to their high fiber content

• Lowered blood pressure and cholesterol

• Reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer from antioxidants

• Increased bone density from minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium

• Anti-inflammatory effects that may help conditions like arthritis

So don’t be afraid to enjoy these sweet treats in moderation – just a couple fresh figs a day can boost your overall wellbeing.

Fun Facts About Figs

• Fig trees can live over 200 years but commercial orchards are typically replaced every 10-20 years for maximum productivity.

• It takes an average of 5 years for a fig tree to produce its first crop.

• Figs grow best in hot, dry climates. Main producers include Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, and California.

• Some fig varieties are pollinated by a tiny specialized wasp that crawls into the immature fruit bloom.

• Figs have two crops per year – the main crop in early fall and an earlier, smaller breba crop in late spring/early summer.

The Bottom Line

There you have it – everything you need to know about identifying, picking, and enjoying fresh figs. Their unique look, taste, and nutritional value make figs a fascinating fruit. Now that you know what to look for, see if you can find fresh figs near you and experience this biblical treat. Just take a look at some fig pictures so you recognize them, then pick a few ripe ones to enjoy their mouthwatering flavor.

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