This week we picked up our first luscious figs of the season. And they were all devoured in about a day! Although I grew up eating them dried, they are absolutely divine when eaten fresh.

The Fig In The Bible And In Western Culture

The fig has played a significant role in Western culture since Biblical times and is the first fruit mentioned by name in the Torah. Interestingly, the fruit does not grow directly from a flower like most fruits. Rather, it contains the flower inside its walls. So strange!

The two varieties that we are consuming this summer are Black Mission and Kadota. Kadota, incidentally, derives from the Italian Dattato fig variety. Figs have been cultivated for about 7,000 years and originated in Western Asia, where they spread to the Mediterranean. Figs are the fruit of the ficus tree (I did not know that!), which itself is related to the mulberry.

What Makes Figs So Healthy: Nutritional Characteristics

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. The fiber makes you feel full faster and reduces hunger and cravings. Figs also contain a special type of fiber, called prebiotics , which feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Do Figs Have Wasps Inside Them?

My kids asked me if it’s true that there are dead wasps in figs. Apparently, certain types of figs require a particular species of wasp in order to pollinate the male and female plants. But no need to worry: The wasp is completely digested by the time the fig becomes ripe for harvesting.

Two Popular Varieties of Fig: Black Mission and Kadota

The two most common varieties of fig in California are Black Mission and Kadota. These have completely different looks and flavor profiles. The purple and fiery orange Black Mission variety are quit sweet with a very distinct honey-like flavor, while the neon green Kadota are not quite as sweet. When ripe, both are very soft to the touch, creamy and sweet. Based on the heartier flavor profile, I narrowly prefer Black Mission over Kadota.

Figs are fairly easy to find in the supermarkets this time of year, although the easiest place to find them is at your local farmers market.