Dried Figs
History of Figs
The fig tree is one of Mother Nature’s miracles. Its delicious fruit has been tirelessly rewarding for thousands of years. For generations, it has been considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
In ancient Greece, crowns woven from fig leaves were proudly worn as symbols of fertility. For centuries, giving a fig leaf as a gift was considered a form of reward. The fig’s significance to humanity was so profound that sacred sources referred to it as the fruit of paradise.
It is known that Siddhartha Guatama received the inspiration that formed the basis of Buddhism while sitting under a fig tree.
The Old Testament, which frequently mentions the fig, is replete with fig-inspired imagery and metaphors. Sitting under the shade of a fig tree or enjoying its fruit seems synonymous with experiencing a serene, peaceful existence.
While Jews still use figs as a traditional food in Passover celebrations today, the Bible also describes them as a tree growing in the Garden of Eden and, because they are a sacred fruit, they are shown as an indispensable food in Christmas celebrations.
It is stated that Prophet Muhammad said about the fig, “If I had the chance to choose, I would like to take the fig tree with me to heaven.”
Although known to have been cultivated during the time of the Sumerians and ancient Egyptians, Anatolia is considered the homeland of figs. Historian Herodotus praised the exquisite figs grown in Anatolia in 484 BC. The fig’s botanical name, ” Ficus Carica ,” derives from the ancient settlement of Caria in the Aegean Region. Figs later spread from Anatolia to the Middle East, India, and China, becoming known worldwide.
The Importance of Dried Figs
Economic and Social Importance
Dried figs are one of our agricultural products, holding a significant place in our country’s traditional dried fruit exports. Turkey ranks first in the world’s dried fig production and trade in terms of both quality and trade volume. Due to the specific ecological requirements of their cultivation and drying, dried figs are localized in the Büyük and Küçük Menderes Basins of the Aegean Region.
Although production varies by year, more than half of the world’s dried fig production, which is approximately 100,000 tons, is accounted for by our country.
15-20% of global dried fig production is consumed by producing countries, with the remaining portion of domestic consumption being exported. Our country accounts for approximately 60-65% of dried fig exports in global markets. As well as being the world’s leading dried fig producer and exporter, our country ranks first in both dried fig production and exports, significantly influencing global prices due to this position.
Dried figs, a significant product for the Turkish economy due to the export of almost all of its production, generate approximately 200-300 million in foreign currency.
Because most fig-producing areas are located in rural areas and far from city centers, fig farming families have no sideline. Some also cultivate olives as a secondary crop, but the majority rely solely on fig income.
Fig cultivation, which is a small family-run business in our region, provides the livelihoods of approximately 200,000 people, including those involved in processing and marketing. The product also has significant social significance.
Benefits of Dried Figs
Health
Modern scientific advancements have revealed that figs, in addition to their incredible flavor, also possess a remarkably high nutritional value. Figs, after all, have the highest fiber content among fruits and vegetables. Fiber-rich foods ensure the proper functioning of the digestive system, help eliminate cholesterol before it enters the bloodstream, and may even help prevent the development of some types of cancer in the first place. Just five dried figs meet the body’s entire daily fiber needs.
Scientists’ research has revealed that dried figs surpass other fruits in antioxidants due to their rich phenol composition. Furthermore, figs are also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from external sources, as well as phytosterols. Fatty acids are essential for the healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system, while phytosterols help eliminate cholesterol, a hazardous substance found in animal foods, from the body before it enters the bloodstream.
Figs also have the highest mineral content. A 40-gram serving of figs can meet 7% of your daily potassium needs and 6% of your daily calcium and iron needs. One bowl of dried figs provides the same amount of calcium as a bowl of milk. Figs are rich in protein, carbohydrates, phosphorus, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, and C, and folic acid. They aid digestion, aid cell regeneration, and, thanks to their benzaldehyde content, prevent cancer cell growth.
