![]() ![]() And yet I find the fresh fruit quite repulsive (figs are not even botanically a fruit, apparently, but rather an ‘infructescence’, or inverted flower pollinated by specific fig wasps, the females of which, while searching for nectar, often get trapped inside, eventually devoured by the fig itself, like a Venus Fly Trap.) Texturally, the soft squishiness of the pulp, oozing with seeds against the about-to-split eerieness of the skin, is instantaneously problematic, so I never try or buy them. I like dried fig: we had a very nice confiture de figue with our Christmas dinner, a cooked ‘co-production’ that we both enjoyed the sweetness went well with the meat. I love the smell of the leaves, and sometimes pinch them when I walk past a garden which houses a fig tree growing to extract the darkly green juice from the strong hairy leaves the scent drawn from the vessels within the leaf invigorating and pure resolute and full of health. The religious and cultural ambivalence towards the fig match my own feelings towards this plant. Just as in many cultures, where figs are seen as celebratory, there are two or more sides to everything: the Buddha, sitting beneath a fig tree, achieved enlightenment. In a positive sense, the tree is used to represent fruitfulness and good works”. “The fig itself represents fertility as well as lust, because of its many seeds. The fig tree here represents temptation awakening but also subterfuge and hiding sly : evil. ![]() The Tree Of Knowledge is sometimes a fig tree instead of an apple’. ‘The fig, the figleaf and the fig tree are all symbols of lust, which originated after the Fall, when Adam and Eve “sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons” (Gen. ![]() Today fig trees are widely cultivated, and the leaves can be found in specialty markets in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Australia.In ‘A Handbook Of Symbols In Christian Art’ by Gertrude Grace Sill, we are told that : They were then spread to Egypt, China, India, and the Mediterranean. In addition to Greek mythology, the Greeks consumed figs as a part of their daily diet, and both the fruit and leaves appear in their art and architecture.įig trees are believed to have originated in the Middle East in villages near ancient Jericho and can be traced back over 11,400 years ago. His name translates to 'friend of the fig' and during festivals to honor Dionysus, nuns would wear garlands made of Fig leaves on their heads. In Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of agriculture, wine, fertility, and ritual madness, introduced mankind to the fig tree. Fig leaves are highly perishable and will keep 1-2 days when stored fresh in the refrigerator.įig trees have come to symbolize knowledge, enlightenment, passion, and fertility in various cultures. Fig leaves pair well with cream, coconut milk, scallions, rice, fish sauce, apricots, red chile peppers, basil, red curry paste, pepitas, tofu, chicken, and fish. Dried Fig leaves can also be boiled and used for making tea. In addition, Fig leaves can be used to make a syrup for glazing meats, to flavor cocktails, to create a jelly, baked goods, and blended Fig leaves can be steeped in a cream base to create ice cream. They are commonly used as a wrap and are steamed with meats, seafood, and vegetables to impart a smoky, fruity flavor and a distinct coconut aroma. They also contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, and potassium.įig leaves are best suited for cooked applications such as steaming, baking, or grilling. The fig was believed to be one of the earliest cultivated fruits, and the leaves have also been used since ancient times medicinally and as a symbol of modesty in art.įig leaves are a good source of vitamin A, B1, and B2. Known for its fleshy fruits, fig trees thrive in warm and dry climates and can grow to be 3-9 meters in height. ![]() Fig leaves are highly fragrant and crushing the leaves will release scents of coconut, peat, vanilla, and green walnut.įig leaves are available during the summer.įig leaves, botanically classified as Ficus carica, grow on a deciduous tree or shrub and are members of the Moraceae, or mulberry family. The edge of the leaf has serrated edges that point slightly forward, and Fig leaves change to a yellow hue in the fall. They grow in an alternate pattern, and the top of the leaf is rough and sandpaper-like, while the bottom of the leaf has small, stiff hairs. The bright, vibrant green leaf has 3-5 lobes with thick veins and a prominent stem. Fig leaves are large, broad, and flat, averaging 12-25 centimeters in length and 10-18 centimeters in width. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |