By the Fig and the Olive

By the fig and the olive

Cultivated  9400 years before Christ already,  the Romans were the first to feast on the fig. Seductively shaped like a round buttocks, inky-black skin and the way the flesh yields when slightly pressed between two fingers......how can it NOT be seen as the Fruit from Paradise?

 

It is said that the red-faced Adam and Eve clad themselves in fig leaves after sinfully indulging in the forbidden fruit and after that, fig leaves can be seen throughout ancient artworks – covering the genitals of nude statues or gods in paintings or sculptures. In the Bible, Jesus sought a fig tree when he was hungry and in the holy Qur’an, there is an oath which rings: “By the fig and the Olive” I swear.  Muhammad states that if he had to mention one fruit which descended from Paradise – it would be the faithful fig.

Eaten fresh, dried or in spreadable preserved form, the fig does not disappoint. Though not very fragrant on the nose, the fig is robust with rich flavour – its sweetness similar to that of dates or raisins, even though it is not dried. Beautifully shaped and coloured, you can find them in shades of black, to purple to green. Inside, though, they are all painted with hues of pink.

The gluttonous Romans feasted on them, the gods searched for them, Jesus nourished the hungry with them and apparently Buddha achieved enlightenment under a sacred fig tree....... all I can say for sure, is that when my teeth sinks into the soft tendrils of this sacred fruit, I suddenly become a roman goddess – nourishing myself with its  flesh.... and finding myself in Nirvana.

 

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