Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
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Black Mission fig "fruit" has a tough peel (in this case, green giving way to deep purple), often cracking near the stem end upon ripeness, and exposing the pulp beneath. The soft creamy white interior contains a seed mass bound with jelly-like flesh. The edible seeds are numerous and generally hollow, unless pollinated. Pollinated seeds provide the characteristic nutty taste of dried figs.
Black figs are available in early spring through early winter. Beginning in winter, night temperatures drop causing a change in the fruit's texture and the fig is no longer at its best for culinary use. The interior of the fig becomes woody and dry, and the seeds begin to separate from the flesh.
Figs grow on the Ficus tree (Ficus carica), which is a member of the Mulberry family. There are almost two hundred cultivars of figs, thus they grow in a wide range of shapes, colors and textures. The common fig bears a first crop, called the breba crop, in the spring on last season's growth. The second crop is born in the fall on the new growth and is known as the main crop. Figs are botanically an inverted flower. Each fig is not a single fruit, but nearly fifteen hundred tiny fruits. Figs made their first commercial product appearance with the 1892 introduction of Fig Newtons® Cookies.
When Black Mission Figs are blended with savory ingredients, such as salt, cocoa and spices, figs can produce a “meaty” flavor that has a smoky, almost steak-like aroma and taste. Chop fresh figs and thyme, then fold into olive oil-based cake batter and bake. Whip blue cheese and heavy cream, the pipe into halved figs, top with toasted hazelnuts and serve as an appetizer. Saute roasted beets and quartered figs in honey and balsamic vinegar, then toss with arugula and serve as a salad. Top puff pastry dough with crumbled goat cheese, chopped or halved figs and sliced prosciutto, then bake into a tart. To store, lay figs on paper towels; cover with plastic; refrigerate no more than three days. Use ripe figs immediately.
Figs are one of the very first plants to be cultivated by humans. They have been documented throughout history as a food source for over 11,000 years. They were first cultivated in ancient Egypt though they are believed to be indigenous to western Asia. They still have a huge presence in northern Africa and throughout the eastern Mediterranean, specifically Greece and Turkey. They have been naturalized in the western Mediterranean and throughout temperate regions of the United States, primarily Southern California. The Black Mission Fig is native to the Balearic Islands, an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea. Spaniards brought the fig to America in 1520. The (California) Mission fig received its given name in honor of the missionary fathers - priests at Mission San Diego, who originally planted figs in California in 1769. In the late 1880s, fig orchards covered much of the area within the city limits of Fresno, the heart of the central San Joaquin Valley, the largest agricultural sector of California. Figs require full sun all day to ripen palatable fruits. Cold springs and cloudy summers can lead to a dismal fig season.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipes that include Black Mission Figs. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Black Mission Figs using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Figs | Listen |
| Food Fable: Figs | Listen |
Description/Taste
Black Mission fig "fruit" has a tough peel (in this case, green giving way to deep purple), often cracking near the stem end upon ripeness, and exposing the pulp beneath. The soft creamy white interior contains a seed mass bound with jelly-like flesh. The edible seeds are numerous and generally hollow, unless pollinated. Pollinated seeds provide the characteristic nutty taste of dried figs.
Seasons/Availability
Black figs are available in early spring through early winter. Beginning in winter, night temperatures drop causing a change in the fruit's texture and the fig is no longer at its best for culinary use. The interior of the fig becomes woody and dry, and the seeds begin to separate from the flesh.
Current Facts
Figs grow on the Ficus tree (Ficus carica), which is a member of the Mulberry family. There are almost two hundred cultivars of figs, thus they grow in a wide range of shapes, colors and textures. The common fig bears a first crop, called the breba crop, in the spring on last season's growth. The second crop is born in the fall on the new growth and is known as the main crop. Figs are botanically an inverted flower. Each fig is not a single fruit, but nearly fifteen hundred tiny fruits. Figs made their first commercial product appearance with the 1892 introduction of Fig Newtons® Cookies.
Applications
When Black Mission Figs are blended with savory ingredients, such as salt, cocoa and spices, figs can produce a “meaty” flavor that has a smoky, almost steak-like aroma and taste. Chop fresh figs and thyme, then fold into olive oil-based cake batter and bake. Whip blue cheese and heavy cream, the pipe into halved figs, top with toasted hazelnuts and serve as an appetizer. Saute roasted beets and quartered figs in honey and balsamic vinegar, then toss with arugula and serve as a salad. Top puff pastry dough with crumbled goat cheese, chopped or halved figs and sliced prosciutto, then bake into a tart. To store, lay figs on paper towels; cover with plastic; refrigerate no more than three days. Use ripe figs immediately.
Geography/History
Figs are one of the very first plants to be cultivated by humans. They have been documented throughout history as a food source for over 11,000 years. They were first cultivated in ancient Egypt though they are believed to be indigenous to western Asia. They still have a huge presence in northern Africa and throughout the eastern Mediterranean, specifically Greece and Turkey. They have been naturalized in the western Mediterranean and throughout temperate regions of the United States, primarily Southern California. The Black Mission Fig is native to the Balearic Islands, an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea. Spaniards brought the fig to America in 1520. The (California) Mission fig received its given name in honor of the missionary fathers - priests at Mission San Diego, who originally planted figs in California in 1769. In the late 1880s, fig orchards covered much of the area within the city limits of Fresno, the heart of the central San Joaquin Valley, the largest agricultural sector of California. Figs require full sun all day to ripen palatable fruits. Cold springs and cloudy summers can lead to a dismal fig season.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Black Mission Figs. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Black Mission Figs using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Heritage Family Farm
Near Coronado, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 75 days ago, 11/10/21 
Escondido Farmers Market
R&L Farms
Near Escondido, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 132 days ago, 9/14/21 Sharer's comments : Fresh figs, fig jam - perfect sliced in a salad, on pizza, or just an afternoon snack! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 147 days ago, 8/30/21 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 154 days ago, 8/23/21 Sharer's comments : Black mission figs 
Pacific Beach Farmers Market
Heritage Family Farm
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 160 days ago, 8/17/21 
Venice Farmers Market
Murray family farms
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 171 days ago, 8/06/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Murray Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 173 days ago, 8/04/21 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 175 days ago, 8/02/21 
Dana Point Farmers Market
Sunny Cal Farms
Near Dana Point, California, United StatesReedley, CA About 219 days ago, 6/19/21 Sharer's comments : Adding these decadent figs to my prosciutto pizza tonight! 
Central market of Athens, Greece 🇬🇷
Kalivis SA
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceCentral market of Athens L-27 About 488 days ago, 9/24/20 Sharer's comments : Black mission figs! 🇬🇷 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 504 days ago, 9/07/20 Sharer's comments : Black Beauty's from Rancho La Paz De Mi Corazon 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Pudwill Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 509 days ago, 9/02/20 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 529 days ago, 8/13/20 Sharer's comments : Figs are about to be peaking @specialtyproduce 
santa monica fm market
jj's lone dauhgeter ranch
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 530 days ago, 8/12/20 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Kens Top Notch Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 534 days ago, 8/08/20 
Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Convenient vegetable store
California, United StatesSyrgabekova 30. About 548 days ago, 7/26/20 Sharer's comments : Figs from Uzbekistan 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 578 days ago, 6/25/20 Sharer's comments : Could not resist the urge to bite into it.... 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 599 days ago, 6/04/20 Sharer's comments : That time of the year again... 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st. San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 601 days ago, 6/02/20 Sharer's comments : Figs have arrived ! |
