Figs are a fruit that grows from fruit trees. The plants have been cultivated since ancient times and the trees are also used for ornamental purposes. The trees grow in dry, sunny locations and are native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried. They are also common in jam production.

The luxury of a luscious ripe fig is extraordinary. The soft and yielding fruit is full of seeds, but the seeds are so small they just add to the unique texture that makes fresh figs so sought after. Most varieties are intensely sweet, so they are used in desserts. That works, but figs can also take that honey-like sweetness to cut sharper savory flavors of cheese, meat, and other foods.

Raw figs are a good source of dietary fiber, but otherwise do not have any significant health benefits.1 Dried figs provide more fiber than raw and also contain manganese and low levels of other nutrients.