UPATREE
The Farm in Middelwater
Our farm is situated on the R
513 De Wildt area. Our orchard consists of 1700 trees
and 11 varieties of figs.
FIGS—an
ancient tale of
wonder
We offer a wide range of services and products.
For more information contact Adele at:
071 843 8185
Email: [email protected]
Webpage:
www.upatree.co.za
The Boabab—in memory of Oupa Dolf
whose vision we are building on.
UPATREE
PO Box 78
De Wildt
0251
Phone: 071 843 8185
E-mail: [email protected]
Webpage: www.upatree.co.za
Upatree
Unforced rhythms of grace
Tel:
Is the fig truly a fruit?
The complex inflorescence (An inflorescence is a group or cluster
of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch
or a complicated arrangement of branches) consists of a hollow
fleshy structure called the syconium (A syconium is the type of
fruit borne by figs (genus Ficus), formed by an enlarged, fleshy,
hollow receptacle with multiple ovaries on the inside surface. In
essence, it is really a fleshy stem with a number of flowers, so it is
considered both a multiple and accessory fruit. The name comes
from the Ancient Greek word sykon, meaning "fig"), which is lined
with numerous unisexual flowers.
General facts
Thought to be the sweetest fruit, figs are also
one of the oldest fruits recognized by man. It's
no wonder the fig has been enjoyed for centu-
ries. Its sweet, delicious flesh, long used as a
The flower itself is not visible outwardly, as it blooms inside the
infructescence. Although commonly referred to as a fruit, the fig is
actually the infructescence or scion of the tree, known as a false
fruit or multiple fruit, in which the flowers and seeds are borne. It
is a hollow-ended stem containing many flowers. The small orifice
(ostiole) visible on the middle of the fruit is a narrow passage,
which allows the specialized fig wasp Blastophaga psenes to
enter the fruit and pollinate the flower, whereafter the fruit grows
seeds.
The edible fruit consists of the mature syconium containing numerous one-seeded fruits (druplets). The fruit is 3–5 centimetres
long, with a green skin, sometimes ripening towards purple or
brown. Ficus carica has milky sap (laticifer). The sap of the fig's
green parts is an irritant to human skin.
Nutritional facts
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sweetener before the advent of refined sugars,
enhances both savory dishes and desserts.
Ficus carica, known to us as the common fig,
originated in northern Asia Minor. Spaniards
brought the fig to America in 1520.
Short history
One of the earliest records of any fruit eaten by people of the
Middle East is the common fig (Ficus carica). Remnants of figs
have been found in archeological excavations dating back to the
Neolithic era, about 1000 BM (Before Moses).
Fig trees provided shade, fire wood and several crops of nourishing fruit a year. Dried figs could be squeezed into loafs or placed
on strings and used as food during long, arduous journeys across
the desert.
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Fig fruit is low in calories. 100 g fresh fruits provide
only 74 calories. However, they contain health
benefiting soluble dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins,
and pigment anti-oxidants that contribute immensely for optimum health and wellness.
Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. In fact, dried fruits are concentrated sources of energy. 100 g dried figs provide 249 calories.
Fresh figs, especially black mission, are good in
poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants such as carotenes, lutein, tannins, chlorogenic acid...etc. Their
anti-oxidant value is comparable to that of apples
at 3200 umol/100 g.
In addition, fresh fruits contain adequate levels of
some of the anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin
A, E, and K. Altogether these phyto-chemical compounds in fig fruit help scavenge harmful oxygen
derived free radicals from the body and thereby
protect us from cancers, diabetes, degenerative
diseases and infections.
Furthermore, research studies suggest that chlorogenic acid in these berries help lower blood
sugar levels and control blood-glucose levels in
type-II diabetes mellitus (Adult onset) condition.
Fresh, as well as dried figs contain good levels of B
-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, folates, and pantothenic acid. These vitamins
function as co-factors for metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
High in potassium, iron, fiber and plant calcium,
figs are also used for medicinal purposes as a
diuretic and laxative.
The fig tree can live as long as 100 years and
grow to 30 meters tall, although domestic trees
are kept pruned to a height of about 4.8 me-
ters.
A farm in the De Wildt area comprising 38 hectares,
cultivating 11 varieties of figs in an orchard comprising 1700 trees