Fig

There are hundreds of varieties of figs, all with a common soft flesh with a plentitude of tiny edible seeds. Figs range in color from purple-black to almost white and from round to oval. Figs are the sweetest of all fruits, with a 55% sugar content. Although considered a fruit, the fig is actually a flower inverted into itself. Figs were brought to North America by the Spanish Franciscan missionaries, who set up missions in southern California, hence the now-popular Mission or Black Mission fig. Other popular varieties are the Adriatic (green skin, white flesh); Brown Turkey (pear shape, violet to brown skin); Calimyrna/Smyrna (large, squat white flesh, green skin); Celeste (medium pear shape, purple ski, pink pulp); Kadota (small, thick skin, yellow-green fruit); Magnolia/Brunswick (large, pink-yellow flesh, amber skin). Figs are sold fresh,candied, dried or canned in sugar syrup or water.