A great source of fibre and full of vitamins and minerals

Cash in on the huge nutritional benefits of sweet figs and top up with a wide variety of fig-infused greatness from Choithrams.com

Figs are a good source of both calcium and potassium. These minerals can work together to improve bone density, which can, in turn, prevent conditions like osteoporosis.

Studies suggest that a potassium-rich diet can improve bone health and reduce bone turnover, so get some fig in your diet this Ramadan.

Using figs in recipes can be as simple as cooking a regular microwave mug-cake, with a thick slice of fig on top. Have a go.

1. Figs are indigenous to Western Asia and are found throughout the Mediterranean area, where the climate is ideal for their production.
2. The succulent fruit, both fresh and dried, has been prized since ancient times, with fig remnants having been traced back to as early as 5000 B.C.
3. The dried fruit variety is very popular in Turkey and across the Middle East. Turkey is a major producer of dried figs, followed by Iran, USA, Greece, Spain and Italy.
4. Dried figs are high in potassium, which may contribute to normal muscle function. Not only that, dried figs are high in fibre and a source of vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, copper and manganese.
5. Of all dried fruits, dried figs contain the highest amount of fibre (9,8g per 100g) and magnesium (68mg per 100g) and they’re also remarkable for their phenolic content, a type of antioxidant.
6. In ancient Greek and in Roman civilisations, the fig tree was a sacred, mystic tree, as well as a symbol of fertility. Figs were a staple food of the Greeks and the Spartans.
7. Greek athletes were fed almost entirely on figs, as it was believed they increased their strength and swiftness.
8. Figs have numerous edible seeds inside that are generally hollow, unless pollinated. Pollinated seeds are the ones that give the dried figs their characteristic nutty taste.

Figs work wonderfully in summer salads too. We love chickpeas, goat cheese, and walnuts to pump up the protein in an arugula salad, making it a hearty meatless main. But the addition of either dried or fresh figs adds a huge fibre boost — more per serving than any other fruit.