Are figs a fruit or a berry? What is fig or fig

Figs are the sweet and healthy fruits of the fig tree. Most often they are consumed in dried form, as they quickly deteriorate and are not suitable for long-term transportation. Fruits are rich in various acids and useful trace elements necessary for the body.

What is a fig: is it a fruit or a berry

In fact, it is rather difficult to answer the question of what a fig is, to which group it belongs. Many people think that a fig is a berry, due to the presence of many small seeds inside. But due to the fact that it grows on a tree, some assume that it is a fruit.

Fig tree fruit

So what is a fig - is it a fruit or a berry? To answer this question, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the process of the appearance of fruits on a tree.

A fruit is formed on the stem from the syconium formed. The flowers of the plant are inside, so they cannot be seen. The fruits are a group of ripe inflorescences that are located under the skin, therefore, they cannot be seen from the outside. Ripening, the fruits turn into seedlings resembling the shape of bottles with sweet nectar.

In the botanical literature, it is said that the fig is a berry, due to the large number of seeds inside the fruit.

What is the name of figs in a different way

Fig is one of the first cultivated plants. Its cultivation began in the 13th century BC. The name of this plant is familiar to many, however, it is not the only one. Other names for figs: wine or Smyrna berry, fig, fig tree, fig tree, anzhir, hekhik.

The fruits, like the tree, are also called fig. So, answering the question, figs - what kind of fruit it is, we can say without a doubt that it is a fig.

Common fig

This type of plant is a monoecious tree with a gray bark and a wide spreading crown. It grows no more than 10 meters.

It looks like a common fig

Common figs bloom in April-May. Flowers form inflorescences, from which seedlings appear. Depending on the variety, the infructescence can have a pear-shaped, spherical, flat shape. The fruits of this species have a thin skin that is easily peeled off, exposing the delicate berry pulp.

White fig

White figs have a thicker light skin and a yellowish or reddish flesh. Another name is fig. With a yellowish flesh, it is sweeter, has a rich honey taste. It is most often dried, jam and jam are made from it.

White figs are one of the most popular varieties of this plant. It does not require intense hydration or additional light. Feels great outdoors.

The fig has an oval shape, medium size, and weighs about 50 grams. When cut, you can see a pale pink core.

Produces crops without the need for pollinators. However, if the plant is pollinated during flowering, then the yield can be doubled. Moreover, the fruits may be larger. One of the main differences between white figs and other varieties is resistance to fungal diseases.

White fig fruit

What is rich in figs

Fig is a berry that contains such trace elements: iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium and calcium. Also, the fruits are rich in vitamins of groups A and B, acids of natural origin: citric, acetic, oxalic, apple. The berry contains fiber, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the digestive tract. The fruits of the plant are rich in ficin, a plant enzyme endowed with the properties of fibrinolysin.

In folk medicine, not only the fruits are used, but also the roots and leaves of the plant. Due to their high potassium and sugar content, they have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Effective in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases.

They have a mild laxative effect on the digestive tract, as well as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and enveloping effect in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, tracheitis.

Figs: which family does it belong to

This is one of the earliest cultivated ancient plants belonging to the Mulberry family, subtropical deciduous plants of the Ficus genus. For the first time, they began to grow it in Arabia, then in Phenicia, and now in Syria and Egypt.

What does he look like

This is a large plant that reaches a height of 10 meters. The bark of the fig tree is light and fairly smooth. The trunk of the plant has a diameter of no more than 18 cm. The root part grows 15 meters in different directions, and they can penetrate up to 6 meters into the depth.

Fig tree

Fig leaves

Fig leaves are large. Their color range can be either dark green or grayish green. The leaf is no more than 15 cm long and no more than 12 cm wide. These are alternate, three, five, seven pollen-lobed or separate and rigid leaves with falling stipules.

Shoots grow in the axils of the leafy part of the plant, in which there are two types of inflorescences. The first are capriffs, the second are figs. They grow on different trees. Their axis grows until a ball with a hole at the top is formed. Their inner part is hollow. There, dioecious flowers develop.

Fig fruit

The fruit of the fig tree is juicy and sweet with many seeds inside, covered with a thin skin that has fine hairs on it. Figs are pear-shaped. There is a scaly hole on top of the fruit. The color of the stem varies from yellowish to black-blue.

How, where does figs grow and bloom, how to determine their ripeness

The first fig tree was cultivated over 5000 years ago in Saudi Arabia. There it is widely used for medical purposes and in the food industry. Gradually, the plants began to spread throughout the European part of the mainland, were brought to the Canary Islands.

Fig fruits were first tasted in England in 1530. The seeds were brought to Australia, India, China, South Africa. In Mexico and the United States, the fig tree began to grow in 1560. Figs are grown on a large scale in Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Italy.

Where does exotic fruit grow in Russia

The fig tree in Russia grows on the Black Sea coast in the Krasnodar Territory, on the Crimean Peninsula. The fig tree bears fruit in warm, dry climates.

The best fig varieties for the middle lane

In the climatic conditions of the Middle zone, the Crimean black variety of figs grows best. The Dalmatian variety has an average ripening period. The early gray variety bears fruit twice a year, while the Randino variety ripens early.

However, the ripening time of the fruit depends on the region and growing conditions. The fruits begin to ripen in two stages.The first stage is in June, the second is in September-October.

How to harvest figs: green or ripe

The fruits of the fig tree are harvested only by hand, as they are very tender. On top they are covered with a thin skin, and inside there is a very soft pulp.

It is best to start harvesting fruits early in the morning wearing gloves. The hairs on the leaves, which will be exposed to the sun's rays, cause a burning sensation on the skin. Therefore, the figs should be collected carefully.

Ripe fig fruits

Why figs are good for women

Regular consumption of figs helps to reduce the risk of developing varicose veins, the appearance of a vascular network. Useful acids, ficin contained in the berry, tone blood vessels and veins. Blood circulation improves, adhesions, fatigue and swelling disappear.

Fig is a fruit that is a natural source of folic acid. This fruit is useful for pregnant women. It contributes to the favorable development of the fetus, the preservation of the integrity of the placenta. Helps oxygen metabolism in tissues.

Lactating mothers eat figs to increase lactation. The fruits of the wine berry make a woman feel better during menstruation, reduce pain.

Why dried figs are useful

Fresh figs cannot be stored for more than 3 days, so they are most often eaten dry. The daily intake of vitamin B is contained in 100 grams of dried fruits. One dried fig provides 2% of an adult's daily iron requirement.

Due to the high content of potassium, magnesium and other antioxidants in figs, it stimulates and strengthens the immune system, fights viruses, bacteria, roundworms.

Other health benefits of dried figs:

• useful for high blood pressure;
• helps to strengthen the skeletal system;
• helps to cope with colds;
• serves as a prophylaxis against cancerous tumors.

It is recommended to use dried fruit for asthma, bronchitis, gastrointestinal disorders, sexual dysfunction.

Dried fig fruits

Why figs are good for men

The fruits of the fig bush increase male potency due to the presence of treptophan in their composition. Consuming a product containing this acid helps to cope with stress disorders, improve mood, get rid of insomnia and sleep problems.

Thanks to fig fruits, the production of happiness hormones increases, the process of clogging of blood vessels is prevented. The benefit of the fetus is that it has a positive effect on male sex drive and helps to restore strength after sexual intercourse.

Potassium, which is rich in fig trees, regulates the content of salt and water in body tissues, contributes to the narrowing of blood channels, which in turn helps to maintain normal blood pressure. Promotes the production of serotonin by stimulating the endocrine system.

Pectin removes cholesterol from the body, promotes weight loss and free blood circulation through the vessels, cleanses the body and removes unwanted toxins from the body.

Interesting facts about figs

There are many interesting facts associated with this plant:

• Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden used fig leaves to cover their nakedness.
• Unripe figs contain a pungent milky juice, so they should not be eaten.
• The winners of the Olympic Games in Greece were awarded with fig medals.
• The berry began to be used as a sweetener as early as 3000 BC by the Assyrians.
• The Egyptians presented figs as gifts to the gods.
• The Roman legionnaires used dried figs on their campaigns.
• The fruit of the fig tree is often mentioned in sacred books: the Koran, the Bible.
• When the fruit is overripe, which still remains on the branch under the sun, its pulp begins to ferment, which is why it got the name "wine berry".
• The snake that took Cleopatra's life was presented in a basket of figs.
• It was under the fig tree that enlightenment descended on the Buddha.
• More than 12% of rubber is contained in the unripe fig fruit.
• Some botanists believe that the fig peach is a cross between a peach and a fig. However, this is not true.

The natural strength of this berry was discovered in antiquity. The fruits of the fig tree are rich in unique natural vitamins that can help the body cope with various diseases. They were used for prophylaxis, made tinctures, taken on hikes. Having learned everything about figs and including only one berry in the daily diet, you can strengthen the immune system and forget about viruses, heart and gastrointestinal problems for a long time.