Dried figs: benefits and harms for the body, calorie content, how to eat correctly, how to dry at home, how to store

Figs - the benefits of a miracle berry

Figs are high in calcium, potassium and fiber. It has been proven that two dried fruits a day can significantly increase antioxidant activity in the human body. Figs allow you to dull the feeling of hunger - just one fig will allow you to hold out until lunchtime.

Not only fig fruits are useful, but also the notorious fig leaves. Research shows that fig leaves can help lower the dose of insulin people with diabetes need, as well as help lower triglyceride levels. Fig leaf tea or fruit brewed in milk has long been used as a remedy for sore throats, coughs and other lung diseases, up to asthma. Fig leaves are also used to treat stomach ulcers.

Figs are known for their diuretic, diaphoretic and antipyretic properties. Dried figs are a mild natural laxative. Figs contain more iron than apples, so they are good for treating iron deficiency anemia. Figs are also recommended for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Gruel from figs is used as a wound healing agent, the broth is good for treating abscesses and boils.

In a word, the fig tree both nourishes and heals - a real gift of nature, a fig, the benefits of which are enormous.

Useful properties of figs

Fig is a subtropical tree-like shrub of the Ficus genus of the Mulberry family. The plant has other names for fig, fig tree, wine berry. From a gastronomic point of view, pear-shaped fruits or figs are of interest. This is a group of self-formed inflorescences with soft pulp and numerous small seeds inside. The color of ripe berries is green, reddish, purple and dark purple, depending on the variety.

Energy value of 100 g of edible figs:

The calorie content of 100 g of fresh figs is 74 kcal, dried - 257 kcal.

Vitamin and mineral composition per 100 g of edible figs:

The use of a fig tree in any form has a number of useful actions:

• improves the activity of the immune system;
• relieves fatigue and restores physical strength;
• normalizes cholesterol levels;
• increases hemoglobin indices in case of anemia;
• thins the blood with thrombosis and thrombophlebitis;
• prevents the formation of malignant cells;
• normalizes acid-base balance;
• improves the digestive process;
• stimulates intestinal motility with constipation;
• cleanses the body of harmful substances and toxins;
• reduces blood pressure in hypertension;
• serves as a diuretic for inflammatory processes of the urinary system;
• has a diaphoretic and antipyretic effect.

Author's note
Natalia Papanova
Blog author

Unripe fruits should not be consumed, they contain toxic substances.

You can't eat unripe figs, but you can eat the fruits of the ebony tree. Read how to plant persimmons at home and get fruits that are useful for the body.

The use of figs is contraindicated in:

• severe diabetes mellitus;
• obesity;
• pancreatitis;
• poor blood clotting.

Figs are a dietary product, but you cannot eat a lot of berries, especially in dried form.If you have problems with the gastrointestinal system, limit the amount of sugary fruits in the diet.

Dried figs are a high-calorie dietary product

Drying at home and outside

The drying process can be carried out in several ways, which require different kitchen appliances.

In an electric dryer

How to dry figs in a fruit and vegetable dryer:

1. Cut the fruits into slices or slices, their thickness should not exceed 2-3 mm.
2. Put raw materials on a pallet in one layer.
3. Set the operating temperature of the device in the range of +55 +60 ° C.
4. Switch on the dryer. Swap the pallets every 3-4 hours, so the raw materials will dry more evenly.
5. The total drying time can take from 1 to 2 days, depending on the area of ​​the pallets, the amount of figs and the power of the appliance.

In the oven

For this method, whole or chopped figs are suitable, both fresh and boiled in sugar syrup.

Basic principles of using the oven to dry a fig tree:

1. Set the minimum temperature for the device. The optimum is +60 ° C.
2. If the oven settings are not at the same temperature, then it is worth setting the lowest possible (about 100 ° C) and turning the raw material every 1.5-2 hours.
3. If it is supposed to dry cut fruits, then the cut should be at the top and not in contact with the wire rack.
4. The use of trays is not allowed. Air circulation and constant airflow can only be achieved by placing the figs on the wire rack.
5. The oven door must always be ajar. Otherwise, the figs will be baked in their own juice rather than dried out.
6. Cooking times can vary from 8 hours to 2 days. You can determine readiness by appearance and consistency.

In the microwave

Instructions for drying a fig tree in the microwave:

1. Cut the fruits into thin plates of 2-3 mm, spread in one layer on the wire rack.
2. Turn on the "Defrost" mode and set the timer for half an hour.
3. After warning the timer, check the condition of the raw materials and, if necessary, extend the drying time by another 5-10 minutes.

In the air under the sun

This option is used in regions with hot climates with normal or low humidity. Excess moisture in the air prevents drying, provokes rotting and mold formation on raw materials.

How to dry figs outdoors:

1. Boil the fruits in sugar syrup. In this method, boiling is a mandatory item, so the taste of the fruit is better preserved and the likelihood of spoilage of overripe specimens is reduced.
2. Prepare a spacious grate and place the boiled and dried figs on it. They should not touch each other.
3. Expose to the sun and cover with gauze to prevent damage to the raw material by flies and other insects.
4. Turn the figs once a day. Bring the bars into the house at night or during bad weather.
5. The total drying time outdoors takes 2 to 3 days.

How are dried figs eaten

Excellent gastronomic features determine the great respect for this type of dried fruit. Dried figs are most often eaten on their own as a dessert.

Before using it, it is imperative to wash it, since it is often contaminated during transportation. This can be done in running water with a brush or by soaking it in warm water and then draining it.

Since figs, as already described above, have a gaseous property, they are not recommended to be consumed immediately after a meal. Do it in between, leaving it for snacks - it will fill you up with energy, satisfy your gastronomic needs and fill you with a good mood.

Also, the product is used in cooking for the preparation of complex desserts, side dishes, snacks and meat. It is especially tasty with honey and cheese. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recipes for some dishes with dried figs below.

What can be made from dried figs

The fig tree has been used in cooking for thousands of years.Excellent gelling properties make this fruit an excellent base for making jam, marshmallow or homemade preserves. The fig tree is also great for making healthy smoothies and milkshakes.

Important! Due to the large amount of carbohydrates, dried figs are a natural preservative - adding them to various dishes increases their shelf life.

The dried fig tree has taken root well for preparing a variety of delicacies. When combined with other dried fruits, nuts and honey, figs make up an important part of vitamin desserts. It is used to make chocolates. The crushed fruit can be part of sweet creams for cakes and pastries.

Figs go well with poultry dishes. It is used as a filling when stuffing chicken or turkey. Many gourmets love the recipe for stewed lamb with figs. However, it is most often used in the preparation of sauces for main courses.

Requirements for the conditions of detention

When growing figs in an apartment, it is important to provide the plant with optimal conditions. Otherwise, it will begin to fade, hurt, dry up and eventually die.

Suitable growing conditions:

1. Temperature. Fig is a thermophilic plant. The optimum temperature for its cultivation from early spring to late autumn is + 25 ... + 27 ° C. The fig tree also grows at room temperature - + 20 ... + 22 ° C. In winter, when the fig tree has shed its leaves, the temperature is lowered to + 10 ° C. During winter dormancy, the tree can withstand temperatures down to 0 ° C.
2. Humidity. Figs need high humidity. On average, the indicators should reach 75-80%. Hot, dry air emanating from heating devices is dangerous for wood. The plant is not placed near heaters and batteries. If it is indoors in the cold season, then use air humidifiers.
3. Lighting. The optimal day length for figs during the growing season is 12 hours. However, lovers of exotic plants argue that it is not necessary to use additional lighting sources. It is enough to choose the right place for growing. Indoor figs do not tolerate the direct rays of the scorching sun, therefore it is recommended to shade it from 12 to 16 hours.

In the summer, the plant has enough natural light. It is placed near the south window, covered with a translucent curtain, or on the east window sill without additional protection from the sun.

During the warmer months, it is useful to take the potted plant into the garden or put it on the balcony. Choose a place partially protected from the sun.

In spring and autumn, the plant should be on the southern windowsill. Closing the window with tulle is optional.

In winter, figs are taken out into a cool room. This can be a glazed, frost-protected balcony or loggia, an unheated room or a window sill in the entrance (provided that the window is large and lets in a lot of light). It is advisable to place the plant near the southern windowsill.

How to choose the right raw material

When choosing fresh figs to dry, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

• The size of the fruit should be about 4-5 cm in diameter. If they are less, then it can be a wild fig (it is less sweet), if more, then the fruit is overripe, its pulp is not so juicy and soft.
• There should be a large number of seeds inside the berry, this indicates its quality and high taste characteristics.
• The color does not matter when choosing, since it directly depends on the variety. Quality and tasty figs can be brown, blue, black and yellow-green.
• The skin should be matte and slightly dry. A shiny and smooth surface can only be found in fruits that have been treated with preservatives for better transportation.
• A subtle smell of iodine is allowed, since this element is contained in a berry in large quantities.The fruit may emit a mixed herb and sweetness aroma. No chemical or unnatural smell should be heard from the selected figs.

Collection or purchase time

In one year, a fig tree can bloom 2-3 times.

Figs, which are commercially available and edible, grow on a fig tree only once a year - at the end of summer. At this time, the fruits ripen from the female inflorescences of this tree. These are juicy, sweet and healthy berries.

The owner of the fig tree should evaluate the condition of the fruit from time to time. The indicator of their ripeness in August-September is a slight softness and limpness at the tail. For drying, it is better to keep the figs on the tree a little longer (for 1-2 weeks), so it will come to condition in natural conditions. A sharp knife or pruner can be used to trim the bunches of figs.

It is necessary to pick the fruits with gloves, as their juice can cause burns on the hands.

What raw materials are not suitable?

Before starting drying, it is worth carefully examining the purchased or harvested crop and rejecting fruits that have the following defects:

• Sour aroma. It testifies to the beginning of the fermentation process, followed by rotting and the formation of mold.
• Excessive softness of the fruit, especially the skin. Such an instance will most likely turn out to be rotten.
• Excessive hardness. She talks about too early harvest and the immaturity of the fruit. Such figs will have practically no sweetness.
• The presence of spots, violations of the integrity of the peel. These are traces of exposure to pests or diseases.

Where and how to store dried figs at home

Unlike fresh tender figs, dried figs have a longer shelf life and are less picky. The optimal conditions for storing dried figs will be low temperature and humidity, as well as the absence of direct sunlight (dark, cool and dry place).

If not long-term storage of this sweet dried fruit is required, then it can be placed in an airtight container (for example, a jar with a lid) and left in a cool pantry or a locker, but do not forget to check the fruits at least once a week so that the jar does not condensation formed and provide access to fresh air so that the fig fruits do not suffocate.

The best way to store dried figs at home is to use a refrigerator. The main thing is to pre-pack dry figs in portions in a special container (glass or metal jars, plastic containers for food), which is closed, since this dried fruit absorbs foreign odors well. When storing dried figs in the refrigerator, it is necessary to check it every 1-2 weeks so that condensation does not accumulate in the container and mold does not form on the fruits.

The shelf life of dried figs at home can be up to 6 months.

For long-term storage, dry figs can be placed in a freezer, in which they can be stored for up to 1 year, but it is important to understand that when frozen, they will lose some of their beneficial properties.

How to store dried figs at home?

Unlike well-dried figs, dried figs contain more moisture and are more susceptible to rotting, the appearance of harmful bacteria and insect larvae in them, so at home it is better to store it in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator or deep-freeze it in the freezer, after dividing into small portions.

Many people are interested in the actual question of how figs can be stored. This fruit can be refrigerated or frozen. It is also allowed to dry or wither. To extend the shelf life of the fruits, you can make different preparations from them - jam, compote, juice. Regardless of the chosen storage method, it is worth following the basic recommendations of experts.

What is the right way to eat figs?

Fresh figs can be eaten with the skin; only the hard part of the tail is removed. The fruits must be washed thoroughly before consumption.Then you can cut them in half or quarters and eat the pulp with a spoon.

If desired, ripe fruits can be used as an ingredient in a salad, cocktail or dessert. They can be baked, fried. Fresh figs are an ideal base for jam, jam and compote. It is also worth trying to combine fresh figs with camembert cheese - a delicious and elegant appetizer that will amaze even the most demanding guests. Figs are a great addition to fruit cocktails. Both fresh and dried figs can be eaten without any additives, that is, simply as a snack.

Dried figs can be a cereal ingredient or base for healthy bars or no-baked cakes. The soaked dried fruit can be mixed with mousse and used to make cocktails or desserts.

Home storage methods

Figs can be preserved in different ways for a long time. This allows each person to choose the best option.

Dried

This is one of the more popular options. Dried figs retain most of the beneficial ingredients. It can be kept cool for 6 months.

In the sun

To dry figs in the sun, arm yourself with gauze and a grate. To do this, you should follow these steps:

1. Wash and dry the fruits. If the fig is cut into 2 halves, it should be placed with the cut up.
2. Place the grate in such a way that it is blown by the wind from all sides.
3. Wrap the wire rack in cheesecloth on both sides. This will help protect the figs from dust and insects.
4. Dry for 4-6 days.
5. Gather the fruit on a string and put it in the shade to dry well.

Electric dryer

This device helps you get noticeable results quickly. The dried slices will turn out juicy and acquire a golden hue. To achieve good results, it is worth doing the following:

1. Divide the fruit into 2 equal parts and dry in the sun.
2. Remove the pallet from the device and place the chopped berries on it in one row.
3. Small fruits are dried within 10 hours. For large fruits, it is recommended to increase the duration of the procedure.

In fridge

The best way to store fresh figs is to use a refrigerator. It is best to keep the fruits at a temperature of +1 degrees. This will help keep them fresh for 2-3 weeks.

Quick freeze

If you want to increase the shelf life, you should freeze the fruits. It is recommended to do this at temperatures less than -15 degrees.

Jerky

Such figs have excellent taste and contain many useful elements. Dried fruits contain more moisture than dried ones. Therefore, they need special conditions. If you want to keep the fruits for a short period of time, it is recommended to place them in jars without cuttings. Containers should be closed with a lid and stored in a dark and cool place. This can be a storage room or a glazed balcony.

It is best to keep the berries in canvas bags that are tied tightly. This will allow air to flow to the fruit. This will increase the storage period to six months. Also, dried dried fruits can be tightly wrapped in paper and placed in this form on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This will increase the storage time up to 8 months.

Marinated

To marinate a product, you should take 1 glass of figs and port wine each. You will also need a quarter cup of balsamic vinegar, 1 small spoonful of lemon and orange peel, 1 spoonful of sugar, half a glass of chopped nuts. It is worth adding salt and pepper to the composition.

First, it is recommended to put the figs in a jar, then add wine and chopped zest. Put the container in the refrigerator.

After 24 hours, drain the liquid, add the remaining components and place the composition on the stove. Bring to a boil, add figs and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Cool the finished dish, transfer to a jar. Keep in the refrigerator.

Compote

Fresh and dried figs are good for this dish.For a jar with a capacity of 3 liters, you need to take 300 grams of fruit and 150 grams of sugar. Pour 2.5 liters of water into a saucepan, add all the ingredients and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the stove, pour into a jar and close the lid.

Jam

To make healthy jam, you need to take 700 grams of figs and 500 grams of sugar. The components should be mixed and left for 3 hours. When the juice is released, the container should be placed on the stove and cook for 5 minutes. Then leave for 10 hours. Drain the syrup. Repeat the procedure 2 times. Pour into jars and close. You can add a little vanilla or citric acid to taste. It is recommended to store ready-made jam in a cool place - for example, in a cellar. It can also be kept in the refrigerator.

This drink is very useful for heart pathologies. It can be drunk for anemia and thrombosis. It is recommended to prepare juice from ripe fruits. They should be washed, rinsed with boiling water and rubbed through a sieve. Mix with boiled water in a 2: 1 ratio. Squeeze the resulting composition through cheesecloth.

Growing figs

For planting indoor figs, seeds, cuttings and root shoots are suitable. It will be very difficult to grow without feeding, therefore, organic and mineral fertilizers should be used alternately every 10 days.

Growing from seeds

Algorithm for planting fig seeds:

1. Prepare the soil: mix the leaf soil with sand, peat, ash and disinfect it with a manganese solution. Expanded clay is placed at the bottom.

Seeds are obtained from a ripe fruit, washed under running water using a fine sieve.

Then leave to dry on a paper towel for 24 hours.

The plant needs moist soil. We moisten the soil with a sprayer.

Seeds are spread over the surface and sprinkled with soil mixture.
The container is taken to a warm room (+ 25 ° C), covered with a plastic wrap, which is removed daily in order to remove the formed condensation.

For irrigation, you need to use warm, settled water, maintaining constant soil moisture.
After the appearance of the first shoots (14-21 days), if the seedlings are dense, it is necessary to thin them out.

During the period of active growth (January-October), the plant needs an increased amount of moisture. If the figs feel a lack of it, deformation of the leaves and loss of inflorescences will occur. Excess water should always be removed from the sump.
For five years, in order for the tree to bear fruit, it is necessary to carry out an annual transplant, increasing the volume of the pot by 1 liter.

Growing by cuttings

Planting by cuttings is done in this way:

1. The material is taken from an adult plant that bears fruit.

The stalk must be at least 10 cm long with 3-4 buds. In its lower part, it is recommended to make several scratches in order to better root formation.
River sand will serve as an excellent basis for rooting the cuttings, but you can also use water.

Planting is carried out to a depth of about 3 cm and covered with a glass cover. Young roots will appear in a month. And when the roots become larger, transplanting into a ceramic pot with good drainage and fertile soil is necessary. As we grow, we also increase the size of the container (up to 6-8 liters).

Feed each time you transplant. Carefully monitor watering, leaf spraying, use rainwater.

In winter (dormant period) it is necessary to reduce the air temperature to + 13 ° C. Compost and rotted manure, which can be applied when loosening the soil, will come in handy.

The best trees, which had the most delicious fruits, were given their own names by the ancient Greeks.

With this method of cultivation, the fig tree will bear fruit in the second year.

Growing by root shoots

Fig roots often produce shoots that can be cut off and used for potting.

In this way, the plant takes root for 4-5 weeks. But it is considered the most difficult and is not recommended for beginners to use it.

Where to dry figs

In the southern regions, this question does not arise. The climate itself is favorable for drying outside in hot sunlight. In the middle lane and to the north, such heat may not be seen. But, if the weather is clear and unusually warm, then you can try this method.

To begin with, prepare a grate. Any henchman

It is very important that the figs are blown with fresh air from the top and bottom. If you put them on a baking sheet, then the fruit may simply ferment or begin to rot.

Figs are laid out on a wire rack and placed in a sunny, well-ventilated place.

It is advisable to cover the entire structure with a thin non-woven material or thick gauze. And from below too. Wasps, fruit flies and a whole bunch of insects also love to taste the sweet pulp. Such tricks are needed from them.

The drying process lasts about 5 days, with breaks overnight. By the way, in the evening the grate must be removed into the house. You never know, it will rain or the dew will settle. Excess moisture is a big hindrance in your business.

Some sources recommend boiling the figs in boiling sugar syrup for 10 seconds and then defining them for drying. Ostensibly for better color preservation. I think this activity is pointless, because all dried figs are the same light brown color.

Unless the procedure will help to prevent putrefactive processes or prevent fermentation. True, such candied fruit is stored for a very short time.

Advice. Try to make half of the blanks with boiling sugar syrup, and the other half without. At the same time, compare the tastes.

What to do to those whom the sun does not favor with hot rays even in summer? There is an exit. Even two. Choose any suitable one.

For the happy owners of a home dryer. Whole figs or cut into halves (quarters) are laid out on the grates. The temperature is set no higher than + 65 ° С. Because the sugar in the pulp caramelizes at higher temperatures and can change the final taste of the finished product.

By the way, the incomprehensible white bloom on dried figs is the sugar that has come out.

Drying time is approximately 6-8 hours. It all depends on the degree of load and the power of your device. Readiness is checked visually. Fruits decrease in size, acquire a light brown hue. When pressed, it is felt that the skin has become dense and elastic.

There are recommendations to flatten the figs to a flat shape. This is not necessary at all. Because this is done in the case of large-scale blanks. Flattening saves space, such figs are put on a string and hung up for storage.

If you need to dry a small amount, then you can store the figs in their usual form without further manipulation.

Just don't ask where to store a bucket of dried figs at home. Only a third of your bucket will remain (fruits greatly decrease in volume and weight), and you will definitely find where to attach it.

Advice. Cut open the dried fruit. If there is no visible juice, then you have dried it correctly.

And if there is no sun and electric dryer? What to do with the leftover figs? Dry, of course! Only in the oven. Whole or cut does not matter. The main thing is on the bars again. A tray or baking sheet will allow the fruit to bake before drying begins. And we don't need it.

We set the smallest temperature regime. Ideally + 60 ° C. But sometimes the minimum temperature is higher, the oven models are different. In this case, you will have to turn the blanks more often so that they do not burn. And in any case, be sure to leave the door ajar so that the evaporating moisture has the opportunity to freely go out. It is difficult to accurately name the drying time, it all depends on the degree of heating of the oven. On average, it turns out about 8 hours.

Readiness is also determined as described above. We check with handles for elasticity and rigidity, with eyes for color and with a knife for juiciness.

Advice. Allow dried fruit to cool completely before storing.Otherwise, condensation will appear, and with it mold.

How to dry figs at home? Everything is very simple

It is important not to delay, otherwise the fruit will spoil. And so you can carry a wonderful delicacy from your own freezer for a long time.