Figs may make a spectacular addition to all sorts of dishes and desserts - but how much do you know about how they grow?
It’s a well-known fact that most fruit grows on trees, flourishes on vines or sprouts from leafy tendrils out of the ground. Fragrant figs fall firmly into the first category. Nevertheless, their pollination process is incredibly unusual, to say the least. In fact, many people believe this sweet and sticky fruit may not even be vegan…
Intrigued? Here we delve into the dynamics of growing this fantastic fruit and why a particular type of insect plays a huge role in its natural reproduction.
How are figs grown?
Figs are grown on trees, usually in balmier climes. You’ll no doubt spot these fantastic fig trees thriving in various Mediterranean and Asian countries. Unlike most fruits, figs hide their flowers (the producers of pollen) right in the middle of their fruit.
This, understandably, makes pollinating figs a little trickier than your average fruit. Instead of the pollen simply brushing off its blooms in the wind and floating away in the air, it has to be done in another - much more crafty - way.
How are figs pollinated?
When it comes to fig pollination, this is done with a little help from some buzzy friends. Yep, we’re talking wasps.
Why wasps, you might ask? These irritating insects that are the plague of so many summer picnics are essential for the pollination process of some figs. Not just any wasps, though. There are special fig wasps that have evolved to simultaneously pollinate figs AND use the fruit as vessels to lay and hatch their eggs in.
To do this, a female wasp will:
- Crawl through a tiny hole in the fruit to reach the centre where the flower hides.
- If the fruit is male (which makes them inedible yet packed with pollen), the female wasps will lay a bunch of eggs inside.
- These then hatch, mate and the males later tunnel their way out of the fig.
- The females follow, taking both their eggs and some pollen with them to transplant into other figs.
And if the fig the female wasp crawls into is also female? The wasp pollinates the flower so the fruit ripens, but cannot lay any eggs inside.
Unfortunately, as the gap the original wasps crawled through to reach the fig flowers is really tiny, they usually lose their wings in the process. This, sadly, makes it a one way trip for the fig wasp.
Are there dead wasps in figs?
Before you go thinking that those crunchy seeds in figs are in fact bits of dead wasp, let us set you straight. There are no dead wasps in figs. Just seeds - nothing more.
What does happen to that wingless wasp, we hear you ask? Thanks to an enzyme (known as ficin) that’s present in figs, the dead wasps are simply broken down and absorbed back into the fruit.
Remember, not all figs have wasps in them. Some varieties - including many grown for the supermarkets - don’t need to be pollinated by fig wasps. Instead, they’re sprayed with certain hormones to make the fruit ripen or they’re simply a type of fig that doesn’t need pollination.
Are figs vegan?
Despite their rather unique growing process, figs are vegan. This is widely accepted by a number of vegan organisations who have concluded that because the wasps have already been absorbed by the fruit by the time they’re harvested, you’re not actually eating a living creature.
What’s more, the pollination process happens with no human intervention - it’s simply nature taking its course. Like many plant-based items - from wine to sugar - though, it is possible for some fig products to not be vegan. For example, figs are often used to sweeten biscuits and cakes or even as an ingredient in jelly.
Speaking of fig-flavoured treats, why not check out our recipe for fig and almond cake? Our recipes section also has heaps more delicious options for the fruit and veg in your box.
FAQs
If the wasp climbs into a female fig, she pollinates it, but cannot lay her eggs and just dies alone. Luckily for us, the female fig produces an enzyme that digests this wasp completely. The crunchy bits are seeds, not wasp parts.
Does every fig have a dead wasp? ›
Thanks to an enzyme (known as ficin) that's present in figs, the dead wasps are simply broken down and absorbed back into the fruit. Remember, not all figs have wasps in them. Some varieties - including many grown for the supermarkets - don't need to be pollinated by fig wasps.
Can figs grow without wasps? ›
But as mentioned above, common figs are parthenocarpic and don't need wasp pollination. It is normal for young trees to produce fruits that don't fully mature. That's just part of the development process of the tree. As the tree gets older, the fruits will mature properly.
How do figs grow wasps? ›
Fig & Fig Wasp Mutualism
When the female flowers inside the immature fruit are ready for pollination the fig emits an enticing aroma that attracts only female wasps of the specific type for that tree. The wasp finds the fig by its scent and struggles to get inside through the small opening at the end of the fig.
Are figs dried wasps? ›
“There's no fig wasp in there by the time people are eating the fruit,” says Ferguson. The female fig produces an enzyme that completely digests the exoskeleton before hungry humans can take a bite. To be clear: “The crunchy bits are seeds, not wasp parts,” she adds.
Why do vegans avoid figs? ›
Why can't vegans eat figs? Some vegans see the mutual relationship between wasps and figs as animal exploitation and ultimately animal consumption. They, therefore, avoid figs entirely. Most vegans, however, consider figs to be vegan and consume them.
Can you eat figs if you're allergic to wasps? ›
Most commercial figs, like the ones you buy at the store, are grown without wasps. While wasp bodies may add some crunch to a tasty fig, you probably won't find a wasp inside a fig you are about to eat, even if you look really hard.
Is a fig a fruit or flower? ›
In simple terms, figs are technically not a fruit ― they are inverted flowers. Fig trees don't flower like apples and peaches. Their flowers bloom inside the pear-shaped pod, which later matures into the fruit we eat.
Do Chicago figs need wasps? ›
The hardy Chicago fig is self-pollinating, so you only need one tree to produce. Having two near each other may increase harvest size, but isn't absolutely necessary. Unlike other figs, it's not reliant on fig wasps or other insects for pollination.
Do male fig trees produce fruit? ›
In ecological terms male figs produce edible insects (fig wasps) but not edible fruit. Female figs produce edible fruit (figs) and seeds but not insects.
Figs and dates are both small, sweet fruits that have similar nutritional profiles and are often eaten dried as snacks. While similar in size and flavor, figs and dates come from different plants. Figs are crunchier while dates are stickier, and dates contain more natural sugars than figs.
Are figs healthy? ›
Figs are rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and provide fiber and smaller amounts of a variety of minerals. They may also support digestive, gut, and menstrual health, improve inflammatory conditions, aid weight management, and offer cancer protection.
Do wasps lay eggs in all figs? ›
If the fig is a male, she lays her eggs inside. These hatch into larvae that burrow out, turn into wasps and fly off, carrying fig pollen with them. If the wasp climbs into a female fig, she pollinates it, but cannot lay her eggs and just dies alone.
Do Trader Joe's figs have wasps? ›
Opinions varied, plus some asserted, as do many internet pages, that even if wasps were once inside the figs that ficain (an enzyme) would completely dissolve their bodies. So I purchased a bag of figs and had a look. I found a wasp in the very first fig, in approximately two seconds. And I found much more than that.
Can you buy figs without wasps? ›
Some Figs Don't Need Wasps
Aside from this, the figs you're probably buying at the store don't require wasps at all. “Over millennia, farmers have developed thousands of varieties of this species. Many of these do not need to be pollinated to produce tasty figs,” Shanahan said.
Do Chicago Hardy figs need wasps? ›
Chicago Hardy fig is self-pollinating; unlike other fig varieties, it does not require fig wasps or other insects for pollination. You only need one tree to produce fruit.
Which fig trees are self-pollinating? ›
"Common" figs, including 'Brown Turkey", 'Celeste', Brunswick' and 'Mission' do not need pollination. Their fruit develops with insect help. "Caducous" figs, including 'Smyrna,' 'Calimyrna' and 'Marabout' require a tiny wasp to crawl inside and perform pollination.
