History of Figs

Figs are one of the earliest fruits cultivated by man. Native to areas from Asiatic Turkey to Northern India, figs are spread to all the countries around the Mediterranean. Today, the United States, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Egypt and Spain are the primary figs producing nations.

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Worldwide, there are thought to be more than 1,600 varieties of figs.

In India, four principle varieties of figs that are grown:

  • The amber colored Deanna
  • The Brown Purplish colored Brown Turkey
  • The Poona fig and The Doultabad.
The Poona fig is the most prevalent variety in the whole fig market and represent over two-thirds of Indian fig production and is mostly used for fresh consumption. The Deanna variety is used almost exclusively in the production of dry fig or canned in its fresh state. The Brown Turkey is relatively new in India and is consumed fresh. All the varieties can be processed into various fig recipes.

Maharashtra is the largest producer of figs in India. Karnataka, Telangana, AP, Tamilnadu, Punjab and UP are other growing states. Presently fig is cultivated in about 5000acres with an annual production of about 20000 metric tons.