Figs, a delicacy with history

We are in times of figs, fruit of philosophers, in Canarias we talk about more than 650 years of history and a very needed resource for a long time.

We are talking about a fruit that in the ancient Greece was considered a delicacy, but at the same time, one of the most unknown and wasted fruits from the Mediterranean diet.

We are talking about a fruit with more than 40 varieties found in Canarias. It is a fruit with a special sweetness and a high nutritional value; that sweetness it is not reflected on the caloric value. However, when referring to fresh figs, we are talking about a caloric value of 250 calories per 100 gr.

Apart from being high in fibre, they give a great energy boost, that is why in Canarias they used to let them dry out so they could eat them during winter, as these energetic foods were needed to keep doing agricultural work.

Nowadays they are ideal for athletes.

The season goes from late summer to late November, although everything changes in Gran Canaria, and due to the microclimates, the ripening periods vary.

The most recollected and usual varieties found in the markets are: Bicariño, White, Breva, A libra, Gomero or Herreño, Black…

The fig tree has formed the rural landscape of Canarias, being present in the agro-systems of the islands, providing great value to the landscape patrimony.

This way, we can find it in a variety of locations, still being found in the borders of breeding grounds as a boundary.

The figs are perfect to eat alone, fresh or dry, and to introduce them in sweet and salty plates, for example, adding some figs to a cheese board with some nuts.