CLARKE DRIED FRUITCLARKE

By its latin name “FICUS CARICAS DOMESTICA” the fig was born in the Caria region (today Aegean region of Turkey). For many cultures, it has come to represent creation and fertility.

The Greeks had associated the fruit to Dyonisos and Priarpe (God of Fecundity end the Gardens), and Romans had linked to Romulus and Remus, two mythical characters said to had been fed by a female wolf down a fig tree. At different times in history, the fig tree had been regarded as to be the tree of rightness and at times, the tree of evil. In the bible, it is mentioned as the tree of desire.

During the Middle-Ages, consumption of figs had fallen dramatically related to an unfortunate superstition of the Church. However, in the 15th century, due to development of trade between the Ottoman Empire and the Western powers, the fruit of fig had re-appeared on the tables of Europeans.

One of the oldest fruits known to mankind, apart from its sweet, fruity aromatic taste, dried figs have mostly been preferred and consumed for their rich stock of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, low fat and high fibre. Just for this reason, the Mediterranians had regarded the dried fig as a must-be- known food item. In addition, it also explains why sportsmen in the Northern countries consume dried figs rather frequently.

Harvesting:

Harvesting and drying figs is somehow an art, concerned with achieving optimum suppleness and best flavour.

Clarke Dried Fruit shall co-operate with professionals at the drying stage, at the same time respecting nature and international safety regulations.

In the Aegean region, harvesting takes place between July and September.

There are traces that figs were cultivated in their motherland Anatolia between 3000-2000 B.C. from where they were spread to the Mediterranean and other parts of the world.

Today, dried figs are commonly consumed by many people around the world, during Christmas and Easter periods.

Sarılop Type (the Symrna fig):

Figs called as “Bardecık” or “Black Mission” are types that are consumed fresh, whereas the “Sarılop” type naturally semi-dry on the tree, and considered as the most suitable fig to be consumed when dried. This is related to the low sugar and water content of this particular type compared to others mentioned.

When semi-dry and fall down, they are collected by growers and displayed on racks for 2-4 days for further drying. The drying process is complete when the figs are neither too soft nor too hard to manipulate.

Sarılop type, which is preferred most by the world countries for its quality, is produced only at the river basins of Küçük and Büyük Menderes Rivers in Aegean Region (Middle/ South-West) of Turkey.

In fact, Turkey comes first in world dried fig production with a share of 50-60% and in world dried fig export with a share of 75%.

Nutritional Value of Figs;

Several important elements of human nutrition are attained at the same time with the consumption of dried Smyrna figs.

Figs are high in fiber, providing 20% of the Daily Value --- more dietary fiber per serving than any other common dried or fresh fruit.

A 100 gram (4-6) serving of dried Symrna fig provides about 10% of our daily energy requirement.

Figs have the highest overall mineral content of all common fruits, together with other nutritives;

A 100 gram (4-6 figs) serving provides about 7% of Daily Value for protein, 17% for Calcium, 30% for Iron and 30% for Magnesium. As for vitamins, 5.2% of Vitamin B1 and 4.5% of Vitamin B2 is met, which are all necessary for cell re-construction.

Figs are fat-free, sodium-free and, like other plant foods, cholesterol-free.

Why our bodies need dietary fibre?

Different kinds of fibres have different activities in human body. While some of them accelerate the digestive system, some slow it down. Basically, fibres help the digestive system to clean the body.

In fact, dried figs have been consumed by locals in Anatolia as to benefit from it as a natural supporter of the digestive system and aid intestinal problems.

Turkish dried figs contain all kinds of dietary fibres in high ratios. These are pectin, cellulose, hemi cellulose, lignin, and polysaccharides. Regarding how they work in our body system:

- Certain fibres that form the fig enables cholesterol taken into the human body being discarded before entering the circulation system (i.e. the human blood). In effect, this mechanism help decrease our cholesterol level.

- Some of fibres found in dried figs facilitate the discarding of harmful elements out of our body quickly

- Dried figs are in the class of foods containing highest ratios of dietary fibre.100 grams of dried figs contain about 6-7 grams of dietary fibres. The American Dietetic Association recommends optimum daily fibre intake of 20 to 35 grams fro a variety of sources combined with a low fat, high-carbonhydrate diet.

Dried Figs are high in fiber, providing 20% of the Daily Value --- more dietary fiber per serving than any other common dried or fresh fruit.

Figs; a substitute to milk?

Yes. Indeed, dried figs contain calcium as much as milk. 100 grams of milk meets 17% of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for calcium, and so do dried Smyrna figs.

In addition, calcium in dried figs is easier for human body to digest compared to other vegetal calcium sources.

The human body needs Phosphorus with Calcium for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. Dried figs contain the counterbalanced amount of Phosphorus together with Calcium.

Very few foods have this nutritive balance. For this reason, milk and dried figs over centuries have had a distinctive importance to human nutrition.

Delicious & Healthy:

DRIED FIGS contain high proportions of dietary fibre, Iron Magnesium, Phosphorus Calcium and Vitamin B1 and B2.

They do not contain cholesterol, fat, or sodium.

They contain easily digestible natural sugars (glucose, fructose) minerals and vitamins.

DRIED SYMRNA FIGS are perhaps the most delicious but at the same time most healthy of all dried fruits.

As a result:

Figs can be part of almost any special diet, be it low fat, low sodium, high fiber, weight loss, diabetic or even the Mediterranean. They satisfy a sweet tooth without adding any fat. Their unique satiny texture and seeds provide a satisfying mouth feel and crunch.

Dried Symrna figs fit into 5 A Day -- the 40 gram serving is an easy way to add a serving of fruit to reach the daily recommendation of five fruits and vegetables.

Reference:

1) European Directive No: 90 / 496 for Nutrition Information of Foodstuffs.

2) Recommended Daily Allowances, Food and Nutrition Board, National Research Council, 10^th Edition, Washington D.C., 1989

3) Report on Health and Social Subjects: No.41 Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom, Report of the Panel on Dietary Reference Values of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy, London, Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, 1991.