Figs have a long, historical and flavorful history! The edible fig is one of the first plants that were cultivated by humans and is probably one of the most eulogised of all fruits. Artists, writers and poets have waxed eloquent about the apearance and the flavour of the fruit – just read D H Lawrence’s somewhat erotic poem about Figs! Figs have provided sustenance for man for as long as there has been dietary history, and they were the first fruits to be dried and stored by man. There was a fig tree in the Garden of Eden and whether it was the forbidden fruit is debatable, but it is definite that a fig tree provided the first clothing; “...the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” It is probably for this reason that fig leaves, or depictions of fig leaves, have long been used to cover the genitals of nude figures in painting and sculpture. So, if you know that you are naked, you know what to do!  

Pliny, the Roman writer said, “Figs are restorative. They increase the strength of young people, preserve the elderly in better health and make them look younger with fewer wrinkles.” The bit about the wrinkles alone should be motivation enough to rush out and buy a fig tree or two! Figs can be eaten fresh or dried, and used in jam-making and baking and there is nothing to touch Fig, Mascarpone and Walnut praline tartlets. Figs provide more soluble and insoluble fiber (both of which are important for good health) than any other common fruit or vegetable. The list of mineral nutrients in figs is impressive. Even if you don’t care a fig about its nutrition, grow it for its delectability! The flower is invisible, as it blooms inside the fruit. Figs enjoy being pruned - and can therefore be controlled in size – as they produce their fruit on new wood. The tree itself is highly decorative with its light grey bark, ballooning habit and large shapely leaves; a tree well worth finding a sunny spot for.  

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