Full Answer
Do I need to add pectin to figs?
Some fruits, such as apples, contain a lot of pectin naturally. Figs do not, but surprisingly, you don’t need to add any additional pectin. The reason is, as the figs cook down the natural sugars in the figs combine with the added granulated sugar and form a syrup.
Do Figs have ficin in them?
Ficin is active below those temperatures also, but it becomes inactive above 160 degrees. As a result, fresh figs can be an excellent meat tenderizer for, say, cooking stews, but canned figs only contain inactive ficin due to high processing temperatures -- they are unable to break down protein.
Does fig fruit extract have a lower glycemic index?
What’s more, a more recent study found that drinks containing high doses of fig fruit extract had a lower glycemic index (GI) than beverages with no fig fruit extract, meaning these drinks would have a more favorable effect on blood sugar levels ( 16 ).
Do you have to Peel figs before using them?
Some fig types have thicker skins and may require peeling the skins. That’s why I prefer to freeze my figs before I use them. The act of freezing and thawing breaks down both the figs and the skin. Therefore, I’ve never had to peel my figs. I simply trim the stems. First, trim and chop the figs.
Does fig contain pectin?
All fruits have pectin. Some fruits have more pectin than others, like blueberries, apples, and other fruits. Especially in fig jam, you don't really need any more pectin. Our grandmothers did not use any artificial pectin either.
How do you thicken fig jam?
Add pectin. Whisk a tablespoon of powdered pectin (preferably the no-sugar-needed variety) into the pot of cooking jam. Test for thickness and add another tablespoon if needed.
Why do you put lemon juice in fig jam?
The lemon juice lowers the pH of the jam mixture, which also neutralizes those negative charges on the strands of pectin, so they can now assemble into a network that will “set” your jam.
Is fig jam healthy?
It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and offers a variety of health benefits. For example, they can support digestion, reduce the risk of heart disease and help you manage sugar levels.
Why is my fig jam runny?
This is a very common mishap, and can occur for a couple of reasons. It may because there is not enough pectin and acid in the mixture. Or it may be because the temperature of 104C was not reached when cooking. While hot the jam will seem runny, but be patient, as jam takes a while to cool and set.
How long does homemade fig jam last?
How long does homemade jam last? Your fig jam recipe will last up to two years if processed by canning in a hot water bath. Freezer jam will last up to 6 months if stored in an airtight container. Once opened, your homemade jam will last up to two months in the refrigerator.
How can I thicken jam without pectin?
The secret ingredient to making jam without pectin is time. The fruit and sugar need plenty of time to cook and thicken. A long, slow boil drives the moisture out of the fruit, helping to preserve and thicken it at the same time. Fruit varies in water content as well, and some fruits may take longer to jam up.
Does fig jam need to be refrigerated?
A: The Fig Spread needs to be kept refrigerated after opening.
What happens if you forget lemon juice in jam?
If your recipe called for lemon juice and you forgot to put it in, your mixture will not be acid enough for safe canning. You have to open the jars and put the mixture into a sauce pan. (If you made the jam or jelly recently and you carefully remove the lids without damaging them, you can re-use the same lids.)
Is there a wasp in every fig?
No. While female wasps lay eggs within a fig fruit, the crunch you experience when eating a fig does not come from those eggs. All wasps have either exited the fig or their exoskeletons have been broken down and absorbed by the fruit.
How many figs should you eat a day?
However, moderation is the key as dried figs are high on calories. It is recommended to limit portion size to about 2-3 figs per day. Moreover, dried figs serve as a healthy snack for gaining weight.
Do figs make you gain weight?
Figs are fairly low in calories and high in fiber, which makes them very filling. Incorporating high fiber foods like figs into a balanced diet may help you stay full between meals and avoid eating too much, which may promote weight loss ( 6 ).
Pectin Levels in Fruit and Vegetables
Pectin is commonly used as a dietary supplement and in cooking, principally as a thickener for jams and jellies. It has become one of the new superfoods or super-supplements.
Background
Pectin is a naturally occurring substance (a polysaccharide) found in berries, apples and other fruit. When heated together with sugar, it causes a thickening that is characteristic of jams and jellies.
Pectin concentrations in fruit and vegetables
There is a test that uses rubbing alcohol to provide a rough indication of the amount of pectin in the fruit. Mix 1 teaspoon of cooked, cooled crushed fruit with 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Use a closed container and shake gently. Juices from fruit that is high in pectin will form a solid gelatinous lump.
Benefits of Pectin
Pectin is a type of carbohydrate -- specifically a polysaccharide -- that’s found in the cell walls of plants, especially the leaves, roots and fruits. It acts mainly to bind plant cells together. Pectin content varies widely among plants and even within the same plant over time.
Citrus Fruit
The fruits containing the most pectin are citrus fruits, especially grapefruits, lemons and oranges. The majority of the pectin resides in the citrus peel, but the pulp also contains some.
Apples
Apples are also an excellent source of pectin. In practical terms, apples are often a better source than citrus fruit because most people eat the apple skins, which is where a significant proportion of the pectin resides. In contrast, the vast majority of people remove and discard the pectin-rich peel from citrus fruit.
Other Good Fruit Sources
A number of other fruits are very good sources of pectin -- assuming you eat them with their skin -- and these include all berries, peaches, apricots, cherries and grapes. Berries particularly notable for their pectin content include strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and dewberries.
Promote digestive health
Figs have long been used as a home remedy or an alternative treatment for digestive problems like constipation ( 4 ).
May improve vascular and heart health
Figs may improve blood pressure and blood fat levels, which can help improve your vascular health and decrease your risk of heart disease.
May help manage blood sugar levels
One dated study from 1998 in 10 people with type 1 diabetes found that having fig leaf tea with breakfast may have decreased their insulin needs. In the month they received fig leaf tea, their insulin doses decreased by about 12% ( 15 ).
Potential anticancer properties
Many promising test-tube studies have been conducted on the effects of fig leaves on cancer cells.
May promote healthy skin
Figs may have some beneficial effects on the skin, especially in people with allergic dermatitis — or dry, itchy skin as a result of allergies.
Pectin Requires Heat, Sugar, and Acid to Set
Leda Meredith is a food writer and certified botanist who has written five books on foraging and preserving food.
How Pectin Works
Fruits low in pectin usually need to pair with high-pectin fruits to get a good gel. You can also add commercial or homemade pectin to compensate for naturally low amounts or to speed the process.
Working With Pectin
Classic jellies, jams, and preserves begin with fresh fruit, cooked until it breaks down into the consistency of a sauce. This process releases the pectin chains from the cell walls of the fruit, allowing them to dissolve in the liquidy mash.
Figs
Figs are thought to have originated in either western Asia or northern Asia Minor before being widely cultivated in countries in the Middle East and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Figs became particularly important in the diets of the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Chinese.
Ficin
Figs contain the enzyme ficin, which is a proteolytic enzyme able to metabolize protein into amino acids. Your body uses amino acids to build structures and substances that are based on protein, such as muscle, connective tissues and other enzymes.
Nutritional Profile
Fresh and dried figs are a rich source of carbohydrates and an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron, calcium and potassium. In fact, 92 percent of the carbohydrates in dried figs are simple sugars such as glucose and fructose, whereas the other 8 percent is insoluble fiber and soluble pectins.
Other Fruits Containing Enzymes
Ficin is similar to other proteolytic enzymes found in fruits, such as papain in papaya and bromelain in pineapple. These fruits make excellent meat, fish and chicken marinades when fresh, but also useful desserts to follow protein-rich meals.
Fresh or Frozen Figs?
My dad’s tree produces Celeste figs. They are small, about the size of a quarter, with greenish brown skins and pink insides. Regardless, I think this recipe would work for any type of fig.
How to Make Fig Preserves
First, trim and chop the figs. You can also pulse the figs in a blender to further break down the fruit. You’ll need six cups of fruit in all. Place the fruit in a large saucepan. Add 3 ½ cups of white granulated sugar to the pot and stir to combine.
How Can I Tell if my Preserves Have Set?
The preserves will continue to thicken as they cool. But if you are impatient like me, you can use something called the spoon test. Place a clean metal spoon in the freezer (I like to stick mine down in the ice bin) before you get started.
How to Store Fig Preserves
Cooled fig preserves need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within a month.
How to Use Fig Preserves
Of course, my favorite use for fig preserves is on a meat and cheese tray. Here are a few other ideas to include include:
Homemade Fig Preserves
This simple homemade fig preserves recipe contains only five ingredients. But the flavor is undeniably delicious. Whip up a batch today!
