I didn't know that!!! When I moved from Tennessee to Georgia nearly 18 years ago, the only figs I was familiar with were Fig Newtons and the figs mentioned in the Bible.
They are the only fruit which fully matures, then partially dries, before falling from its tree a perfectly ripe piece of fruit! But not really... It is a faux-fruit. A fig "fruit" is derived from a specially adapted type of inflorescence (structural arrangement of flowers). What is commonly called the "fruit" of a fig is actually a specialized structure- or accessory fruit- called a syconium: an involuted (nearly closed) receptacle with many small flowers arranged on the inner surface. Thus the actual flowers of the fig are unseen unless the fig is cut open. In Chinese the fig is called 'fruit without flower'. The subtle crunchy texture you detect when you chew into a Fig Newton are the blossoms of the fig.
Beginning in the Garden of Eden, the fig, with its astonishing health-giving and healing powers, is mentioned more than 50 times in the Bible. In fact it is the first fruit specifically named in Genesis (3:7) the leaves of fig tree used for covering nakedness. Figs are a traditional food in the Jewish Passover celebration.
Only one of the fig trees in Mama's yard is showing any sign of 'fruit' this year. Mostly because of the killing frost on Easter Sunday. The largest of the fig trees is protected beneath the canopy of the huge pecan tree in the side yard. The figs are just starting to ripen. If you have never had a fresh fig - you have missed a sweet and crunchy treat.
Only one of the fig trees in Mama's yard is showing any sign of 'fruit' this year. Mostly because of the killing frost on Easter Sunday. The largest of the fig trees is protected beneath the canopy of the huge pecan tree in the side yard. The figs are just starting to ripen. If you have never had a fresh fig - you have missed a sweet and crunchy treat.
Ficus carica - Common Fig
