Types of figs
After being picked, cleaned and processed, the fig is then
dried. Dried figs are prepared in the four grades shown
below:
| Dried fig grade 101AAA: this expensive kind include
the biggest dried figs with complete open mouth and very
light color. Order |
 |
| Dried fig grade 101AA: dried figs belong to this
grade have light yellow and white color. The size of
them is about 22 mm. Most percent of dried fig in this
grade (about 90 percent) has open mouth. Order |
 |
| Dried fig grade 101A: dried figs belong to this
grade have yellow and white color. The size of them is
about 14 to 22 mm. Some percent of dried fig in this
grade has open mouth. Order |
 |
| Dried fig grade AA: dried figs belong to this grade
have light yellow and white color and the size of them
is about 22 mm. Most percent of dried fig in this grade
(about 90 percent) has open mouth. Order |
 |
| Dried fig grade A: dried figs belong to this grade
have yellow and white color and some of them has brown
color. Most percent of dried fig in this grade has
closed mouth and some has open mouth. Order |
 |
| Dried fig grade B: closed mouth dried figs belong to
this grade have brown and gray color and the size of
them is about 14 mm. Order |
 |
| Pressed fig paste grade A: this product provide by
wetted fig that press by machinery and is available in
200, 250, 400gr. packs with whit color. Order |
 |
| Pressed fig paste grade B: this product provide by
wetted fig that press by machinery and is available in
200, 250, 400gr. packs with darker color than the
grade A. Order |
 |
| White (normal) processed fig: this product provide by wetted fig that put in vacuumed package and is available in 150 and 250 gram packs. Order |
 |
| Dark (marmalade) processed fig:
this product provide by wetted fig that put in vacuumed
package after some processing like boiling and colding. Order |
 |
Fig paste: processes of produce this product like above but fig after wetting without pressing put in the 5 kg plastic.
| Grade | Super(101) | AA | A | B |
| Quality | Very high | High | Very Good | Good |
| Diameter (mm) | Upper 22.5-23 | 22.5-23 | 22-20-18 | 20-18-15-14 |
| open Mouth | 90-99% | 45% Min | 25% Min | 3% Max |
| Color | White | White | White or slight Yellow | Yellow or Grey |
| Brown & dark color | 0% | 4% Max | 15%Max | 35% Max |
The history of the fig
The fig is mentioned frequently in the Bible, the Koran, and
the Torah as well. Figs are also found in cultural
and historical stories such as “Romelus and Remus”. Ancient
evidence shows that Sumerians and
Assyrians used figs. The home of the fig is probably in
ancient Arabia, but today the fig is cultivated in
western Asia and Asia Minor, including Iran.
The botany of the fig
The fig grows in warm climate. Fig trees are tall about 5 to 6 meters.
Fig trees have green and gray leaves and the color of the
fig fruit is yellow. Fig trees being to produce fruit four years after planted and
will continue to do so for 20 years.
The
nutritional value of figs
Figs are cholesterol free and high in amino acids,
minerals, and sugar. The fig is useful for preventing high
cholesterol and uric acid. It increases sweat and reduces
thirst and also prevents bad breath.
100 grams of dried figs contains about 250-300 calories and
is comprised of approximately 70% carbohydrates, 4% protein,
and 3% fat.
Per 100g
edible protein: |
||
| Potassium | 1060 mg | |
| Calcium | 363 mg | |
| Magnesium | 68 mg | |
| Phosphorus | 67 mg | |
| Sodium | 5.2 mg | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 1.2 mg | |
The uses of dried fig
Dried figs are eaten as nut. They are also used in many foods such as cake, sweet, compote
and syrup.
Global trade in figs
The statistics of Iranian dried fig exports, according to the customs organization of Iran, are shown below (values are in millions of dollars):
Note: Statistics are from March of each year.
According to FAO statistics (2003), Iran is the second
largest exporter of dried figs in recent years and Iranian dried figs
are exported to many countries.
This graph, based on FAO
statistics, shows
Iran's portion of the
global dried fig market.
Some useful information about dried fig
