In areas ranging from the Middle East to eastern and southern
Africa, numerous species of wild figs have grown for thousands of
years. Fig seeds have been found in Bronze Age settlements in the
Mediterranean and remains of dried figs were discovered in the ruins
of Pompeii. Figs were actively cultivated as a staple in the diet
of the Spartans, and Romans fed figs to geese they kept to warn
them of invaders. When the Romans introduced this custom to the
Gauls, it is speculated that foie gras, the delicacy obtained from
force fed geese was born. The cultivated fig, Ficus carica, derives
its name from the ancient region of Ciara in western Turkey, and
is a member of the mulberry family.
Description:
Turkish dried figs are the original Smyrna cultivar, a species
which requires pollination for the fruit to set. Tiny wasps are
needed to achieve this pollination. Although many varieties of figs
are grown throughout Turkey, the large, sweet, light colored variety
known as “Sarilop” which are grown for drying purposes
are intensively cultivated in the Izmir and Aydin provinces near
the Aegean Sea. Today, Turkey is the world’s leading producer
of dried figs, and Bedemco exclusively offers these high quality
figs to our customers.
Dried figs have one of the highest contents of polyphenols –
substances thought to offer the benefit of reduced cancer risk.
Fig consumption has also been increasing due to the fruit’s
recognized high mineral and ferrous material content. Figs are an
important source of essential amino acids and vitamins, and dried
figs offer significant amounts of calcium.
Harvest:
Figs are not harvested until they ripen fully and begin to dry
on the branches of the trees, generally from mid-August to mid-September.
The fruit is then picked and spread under the hot Aegean sun for
more intensive drying. After washing and processing, the fruit is
shaped and packaged in a variety of different forms. Figs are not
treated with any additives or preservatives; Turkish figs are always
natural. The most common forms of whole figs exported are the garland
figs (disc shaped) and pulled figs (elongated). Turkish Fig Paste
constitutes the bulk of US fig imports because of its suitability
to many confectionary applications by itself or as a base for other
fruit flavors. Bedemco is the leading supplier of Turkish Fig Paste
to the U.S. market which requires product from factories that meet
the most stringent quality standards.
Turkish Whole Dried Figs – size range from #1 (36 mm) to
#8
(20 mm or less)
Turkish Diced Figs to customer specifications – range from
3-5 mm
to 10-12 mm
Paste – with or without seeds
Packing:
Per customer specifications – bulk or retail packaging
Standard Bulk Pack – Whole & Diced Figs – net weight
28 lb. cartons
Fig Paste – net weight 33 lb. cartons
Retail packaging net weight 8 oz, 10 oz., 12 oz. or 16 oz. packages
Origin: