By: Judy Davie - The Food Coach
 Figs are sumptuous.
A delicacy to be enjoyed for only a few months of the year. They're also sensitive trees which require a lot of care which may explain why they appear to be quiet expensive.
Given that they are in season right now, here are some fun facts that may inspire you to try a few before the season ends.
Figs were first cultivated in Egypt, about 6000 years ago, and were Cleopatra's favourite fruit.
Some historians believe that the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve bit into in the story of Genesis, the first story in the Old Testament of the Bible, was not an apple but a fig. This makes sense given they covered their private parts with fig leaves.
Fig leaves are used medicinally to reduce the amount of insulin required by insulin-dependent diabetics.
The latex sap from the fig tree can be used as a cure for common warts with little or no side effects.
Fig trees have no blossoms on their branches. The blossom is inside of the fruit! Many tiny flowers produce crunchy little edible seeds that give figs their unique texture.
Early Olympic athletes used figs as a training food. They were also presented as laurels to the winners.
In Roman times figs were believed to increase the strength of young people, to maintain the elderly in better health, and to make them look younger with fewer wrinkles.
The fig tree is a symbol of abundance, fertility, and sweetness.
Eating one-half cup of figs has as much calcium as drinking one-half cup of milk.
Figs are high in natural sugars, minerals, and soluble fibre. Figs are rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper and are a good source of antioxidant vitamins A and K.
There's about a two-day window when buying figs, they are extremely perishable and delicate. When ripe they are soft and sweet, with a firm stem, and may even be slightly oozing with sweet syrup.
Buy fresh figs loose, to inspect all around the fruit. Look for plump fruit with the skin intact. the skin should not be wrinkled or oozing.
No need to peel the skin, just give them a quick wash and enjoy!
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