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The ancestral story of the fig
The fig is considered to be one of the oldest domesticated fruits. Indeed, a discovery dating from 2006 demonstrated the cultivation of this fruit through human intervention and the creation of cuttings in Palestine a long time ago. In addition, the traces of the figs found date back to 9400 BC. What is more, the fig is also a fruit with many symbols. In this case, if the Christian tradition recognizes the Adam's apple as the fruit of the tree of knowledge, good and evil, the Jewish tradition, for its part, embodies this by the fig. Later, in France, we know that King Louis XIV was a fervent fan of it. He thus planted more than 700 fig trees in his royal vegetable garden at the Court of Versailles.
Fig production
The fig is a false fruit. Indeed, it is actually an inflorescence, that is to say a kind of small bag containing thousands of tiny unisexual flowers. In other words, without external intervention, the latter cannot be fertilized given that they are locked up. However, it is precisely this fleshy container that we appreciate today for its flavor. In general, although there are a lot of different figs, they are classified into three categories, green figs (or white), gray figs (or red) and black figs (or purple). These are all taken from the fig tree, a tree that only grows on dry soil and in sunny latitudes. Thus, the fig grows more particularly around the Mediterranean basin.It can then be eaten fresh or dried.
Figs in perfumery
If the fruit of the fig in itself gives off a succulent smell, know that its wood and its leaves are also fragrant. However, as with many fruits, it is not possible to extract an essential oil directly from this raw material. It is therefore at this moment that the talents of perfumers as chemists come into play. The scent of the fig is fully reproduced in the laboratory from other essences. In general, it is an ingredient giving a fruity and sunny touch to the perfumes that contain it. What's more, the fig is also known for its green and lactonic accents. This fruit is not to be confused with prickly pears, another raw material but having absolutely nothing to do with it. The latter is a round or pear-shaped fruit,also edible and fragrant, but from a variety of cacti.
If the fig slips into the composition of many perfumes, several essences clearly put it in the spotlight. This is the case with Figue Iris by Guerlain, Figue Bère by Miller Harris, Figue de Vigne by Caudalie, Folie de Figue d'Esteban or Fleur de Figuier by Roger & Gallet.
