İncir

A tree

Generous in leaves

tall n bold standing

The fruits produced depending on the type r eaten when they r green or black (or deep blackcurrent color)

The green ripe ones

The ripe black ones

Feigenbaum/ figuier/fig tree/ incir/ yemis/ ficus caria/ figue as this fruit is named is one of the five plants mentioned in Al Quran, along with olives, grapes, pomegranate and dates.

Fig or incir (in turkish) is a member of the mulberry family. It is favoured for its sweetness and soft texture...consisting of a pliable skin enclosing a sweet, even softer, fleshy interior which is filled with edible seeds. Fig however has a very short life span..meaning when it is in season, u have to buy it as quick as possible coz the season doesnt last for long. Once the fig is harvested, it lasts only a week. That is perhaps the main reason why 90 percent of the world's fig harvest is dried..and yup! turkey is one of the fig producers in the world.

I first encountered this fruit during our wedding reception in turkey at hirdiv kasre. I was fascinated by the fruit coz it is sooooo soft n sweet. .. still am.. u can say that it is one of my favourite fruits in turkey...what a pity it is very rare..a short season each year..but its rarity is what makes it so special right?? The dried ones? that u can find anytime..any kuruyemis will sell it...Maybe that is why i have a soft spot for fig dessert...(incir tatlısı). It is so easy to prepare anyway... boil the fig in water n sugar until it is soft n the sugar is thick...top it up with clotted cream (kaymak)..eat it cold.. yummy...

I browsed thru the net to see the benefits of figs.. i mean..come on..one of the five fruits mentioned in Quran..Allah wouldnt just mention the fruits without any concrete reasons right? And i found this one article by Dr. Gazi Shaikh Abbas Borhany as printed in the Yemen times...

• Figs r high in dietry fiber n a rich source of magnesium as well as pottasium
• Figs contain a relatively high amount of vitamins A,B, and C n r low in calories -about 50 calories each.
• Imam Jafar Assadiq advice eating figs to remove bad breath.
• One large, raw fig contains 77.5 percent water, 8g protein, 2 g fat, 23mg calcium, 4mg iron, 50IU vitamin A, 2.1g dietry fiber,3.8 mcg foliate, 3mg niacin n 1mg vitamin C.
• Figs help to reduce some form of cancer
• Choosing figs more frequently mans that u will naturally choose potentially harmful foods less prequently, which is great 4 ur lifelong health
• According to the California Fig Advisory Board, it is believed that the antioxidants in the fruit n vegetables protect against a number of diseases
• In one study performed by the university of Scranton, it wa determined that compared to the other fruits, dried figs have a much higher level of the phenol makeup, which is rich in antioxidants. Phenol is used as an antiseptic to kill microorganisms
• Figs r ideal 4 those trying to lose weight. It contains the digestive enzymes 4 all the three components of diet: Proteins, carbohydrates n fat
• Figs r also thought of as a fruit that gives strength n energy to long term patients as they seek to recover
• Figs r also recomended in the treatment of asthma, coughs, chills n even diabetes. Syrup made from methi seeds, figs n honey is very effective when it comes to cough n bronchial asthma
• The phosphorous content of the fig benefits the nervous system
• It is recommended for athletesn children
• The medical scientist, Al Shaikh Al Raess,Bu Ali Ibn Sina, recommended figs to treatment of constipation, liver problems, urinary problems, heartburns, chest pains,piles n epilepsy. It is recommended to eat at least 5 figs early in the morning for 4 to 10 months regularly if u want to completely eliminate piles
• It benefits pregnant n nursing women, helps in reducing acidity, rheumatism n helps the brain
• Their ash, when taken with oil, treats pimples, skin pigmentation n whitens the teethFor treating wounds, it is used in a preparation made with hot milk
• Figs r widely used for the treatment of major diseases like cancer n paralysis. Dr kochi from Japan who specializes in using figs for its medical value has treated 20 kinds of cancer with figs. According to japanese tests, figs n the fig syrup (benzaidehyde) have helped shrink tumors
• The fruit contains a proteolysis enzyme that is considered an aid to digestion n is used in the pharmaceutical industry
• Due to its high alkalinity, it has been considered to be beneficial to people who wish to quit smoking
• It can dissolve n expel kidney n urinary bladder stones n can help patients suffering from kidney failure n patients who has a kidney transplant. It can clear the obstruction of liver n gall bladder n relieves inflammations of kidney n urinary bladder
• It is a good nourishing tonic n provides protection against the effects of toxins
• It is useful in pharyngitis, chest congestion, bronchitis n also 4 liver n spleen ailments.It is a good expectorant too.
• During fever, if it is chewed, the ptient feels relief from the dryness of the mouth
• It clears the intestinal obstruction as if it has laxative, anti ulcer n antibacterial powers
• It is also useful in colics n is good diuretic
• It is useful for mental illness if taken regularly

Yup...a long list of the benefits of figs. ..I am sure there r many others. This fruit is not in Al Quran for no reason..n just imagine..there r 4 other fruits that r definitely just as beneficial in their own ways..dont get me wrong..of course all fruits r good for the health..but these 5 r the pointed ones...

Phewwww..penat nak taip..nak tertanggal lengan..why i didnt just use the cut n paste thing? i have no idea...saja tangan gatal nak taip hehehehe..dah gatal nak taip..lepas tu complain pulak..apa la simah..

Yup..fig..incir..a must try fruit...fresh is best of course..i am sure u will like it..I do..that's why it is in my blog right now hehehehheü

HAVE A NİCE WEEKEND EVERYONE!!