Fig, should I plant Figs?
Am pondering whether I should add Fig into my project. Had seen lots of Fig in Turkey. Also our guide had mentioned lots of information regarding Fig.
Fig originated in northern Asia Minor. The #fig is a tree of small dimensions, 10 to 30 ft (3-9 m) high, with
numerous spreading branches and a trunk rarely more than 7 in (17.5 cm)
in diameter. Figs has been sought out and cultivated by man since ancient times. One of the earliest records of any fruit eaten by people of the Middle East is the common fig (Ficus carica). Remnants of figs have been found in archeological excavations dating back to the Neolithic era, about 5,000 BC. The fig is the first tree mentioned in the Bible in the story of Adam and Eve. Some biblical scholars think the fig, and not the apple, was the forbidden fruit picked by Eve in the Garden of Eden. Sumerian stone tablets dating back to 2500 B.C. record the usage of figs.
The New Testament tells of a fig tree that Jesus came upon on the outskirts of Jerusalem in spring. Although it was fully leaved out, the tree bore no ripe fruit. Apparently Jesus was hungry (and perhaps had a low blood sugar level), so he said unto it, "let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever," and the tree withered away (Matthew 21: 18-19). This was a remarkable feat for a man with only one set of maternal chromosomes. From a botanical perspective, this tree had no mature fruit because spring was simply too early in the season, or perhaps it was a caprifig or an unpollinated female tree.
Ibn al-Qayyim: Figs are a Nourishing Fruit with Great Cleansing Properties
The noble scholar Ibn al-Qayyim talked about the fig in
his excellent work "The Prophetic Medicine". He said that there is no
mention of figs in Prophetic Sunnah because there were no figs in the land of Hijaz and
Medina. This is because the soil that is required for figs to grow on is
incompatible with that which is suitable for date palms.
However, he did say that they are mentioned in the
Qur'an to identify their distinct health benefits among other fruits:
"By the fig, and the olive." [95:1]
Benefits of figs include
Help Lower High Blood Pressure
A Sweet Way to Lose Weight
Fruit and Cereal Fiber Protective against Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
An Insulin-Lowering Leaf in Diabetes
Cardiovascular Effects
Protection against Macular Degeneration
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| Fig tree in Temple of Artemis. |
The fig is arguably the most voluptuous fruit of the Mediterranean; for
fig lovers, savoring this fruit is a taste of heaven. Its soft skin bursts with a gentle
bite—there's no tart or fuzzy skin to be peeled, no inedible rind to be
shucked-yielding a sweet, juicy center that's somehow always a surprise.
Fig are one of the healthiest and most nutritious fruits, particularly
rich in fiber and minerals, such as calcium, iron and magnesium. Fig can be eaten fresh, dried or cooked. Cooked figs were used as sweeteners in lieu of sugar in historical times.
Other questions in my mind, does Fig grow well in Malaysia? I shall need to find out more data on Fig.
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| Very old fig trees in Ephesus. |
Some friends in FB did encourage me on Fig but I procrastinated on it. My trip to Turkey wasn't really planned. Met up an old, lost friend. Invited Alice (my wife) to join them on this trip. I agree to accompany Alice. This trip to Turkey started off my interest in Fig. Maybe I'm destined to plant fig?
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| Old Fig tree at Temple of Artemis. |
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| Old Fig trees at Troy. |
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