Fig-tastic Fruits: Why This Ancient Fruit is a Modern Superfood

Introduction

Dried figs are a popular dried fruit in every Indian household. With its high nutritional value and deliciously sweet taste, it is consumed regularly by every age group. Their popularity has grown over the years, and almost all doctors and dietitians recommend they be consumed in your diet. 

This blog will discuss how this ancient fig fruit came to India and quickly became a popular modern-day superfood. 

History

Today, Indian figs are grown in many parts of our country, including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. However, the fruit originated in the Middle East and Western Asia thousands of years ago. It travelled to the Indian subcontinent via ancient trade routes because of its popularity. In almost no time, it became immensely popular here because of its wide range of benefits. Its easy adaptability in tropical climates made it a popular crop in India. Today, the crop has adapted to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, making it more popular.

Health Benefits of Figs

The nutritional value of figs is extremely high, as they are rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins & minerals. Let us understand this in the following tabular data.

Nutrient Health Benefits

Antioxidants

• Fight any kind of oxidative stress
• Reduces inflammation in the body
• Protects from chronic diseases

Fibre

•  Helps in digestion
• Relieves in constipation
• Promotes healthy gut
• Maintains regular bowel movement

Fats

•  Provides essential fatty acids

Potassium

•  Keeps blood pressure in check
• Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Protein

•  Supports muscle growth and repair

Calcium

•  Helps in maintaining bone density
• Prevents osteoporosis and other bone health-related issues

Magnesium

•  Supports muscle & nerve functions
• Regulates blood sugar levels

Natural Sugars

•  Act as a natural sweetener
• Boosts sugar and energy levels
• Satisfies your sweet-tooth cravings
• Helps in weight management

Iron

• Prevents anaemia by increasing haemoglobin

Vitamin A & C

• Better vision, skin and immunity

Vitamin K

•  Prevents blood clotting
• Improves bone health

Being rich in these nutrients with numerous health benefits makes figs an exceptional superfood that needs to be an essential component of your diet. A superfood can be an exceptionally nutrient-rich food; therefore, figs can be put into this category easily. Be it Ayurveda and traditional medicine or modern-day supplements, figs are used extensively in the wellness world because of their health benefits.

India and Fig

Fig is popularly known as Anjeer in India, and over the years, it has been associated with cultural significance. Like Peepal, the tree or plant of fig is often preached in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, as it holds deep spiritual significance in enlightenment and wisdom. 

Also, the fruit of Anjeer is consumed very much in our country, be it fresh or dried. People soak two or three dried fig pieces overnight and have them daily in the morning. It is also used in making desserts like kheer and barfi. Today, health-conscious people use it in their salad and smoothie recipes as a natural sweetener. It is a very versatile snack, and like many other dried fruits, it is convenient to use and store. 

Indian figs, or Anjeer, have made a market of their own, and they are exported worldwide because of their exceptional quality and flavour. However, you would not find the finest quality in every nook and cranny of the country. Many suppliers compromise the quality for various reasons, including poor raw materials, improper storage, etc. With Lila Dry Fruits, you do not have to worry about the quality of Anjeer. Here, we provide the best quality that is highly nutritious and delicious. We source premium raw quality products and provide the best in-house storage facility to deliver the finest of our products to you. 

Anjeer is accessible from February to September when fresh crops are harvested. Since they are natural fruits, if they are not kept in a cold environment, there is a significant risk of infestation and fungal growth. Since figs are purchased directly from farmers, dust particles may also be present. That is why it is always advised to soak them in water for the entire night before eating. 

How do you select the best quality figs?

Based On Colour and Texture

• The darker the colour of a dried fig, the lower the quality. The dark or uneven colour tone indicated that they might have been overexposed to the sunlight or excessive unnatural heat. Figs that have uniform colours in beige, light brown, or goldfish are often considered the best quality. 
• Make sure the dried figs do not have dark spots or pigmented surfaces, possibly because of mould or fermentation. 
• The excessively glossy surface could mean that the figs might have been treated with added sugars or preservatives. Always look for figs that have a little natural shine, which indicates that they are fresh and have held their moisture content.
• The texture should be uniform with no cracks or tears, which could be due to excessive loss of moisture content. Figs should be soft and supple and not extremely tough on the touch.
• Sometimes, dried figs get a mild white-coloured coating of crystallised natural sugars. Make sure not to confuse it with mould, which is also white-coloured. 

Based on size and plumpness

• Figs should be uniform in size, indicating consistent drying and quality control. 
• Choose medium to large figs because they have a good flesh-to-skin ratio, which offers better quality and taste.
• Avoid small or large figs because small might be extremely dry, and large might have more seeds or hard skin.
• Check for the plumpness of the figs; they should be a little thicker as they have more moisture content and taste better. 
• The more compact and dense the fig is, the more flesh is inside. It should not feel hollow or light. 

Conclusion

Figs are fantastic dried fruits with high nutritional value and a sweet taste. As discussed above and presented in the tabular data, they contain many nutrients, making them a superfood. Incorporating figs into your diet is highly recommended for your health benefits. However, buying products from reliable sources is always important.