Even though human beings have been consuming dried figs for millenia, there’s still a lot of confusion around the knowledge of this fruit and the benefits it brings. Figs have experienced a great increase in demand, especially by people who, during COVID, were looking for healthy and nutritious food with a long shelf life.
Unlike fresh figs which have a specific time of the year when they can be consumed, dried figs are available all year round. Fresh figs are harvested mostly in May and are available until August or September, they have a seven-day shelf life, from harvesting to consumption.
¿Why has it called the youth’s attention?
In general, dried figs producers and sellers are experiencing a huge demand. And this peculiarity isn't only seen in people older than 50, as it’s usually always been, but the rise is seen mostly in young people.
Be it because it’s an easy snack and you can take it anywhere; for its big properties for sporty people; or its long shelf life with the right measures, dried figs offer excellent possibilities.
During the pandemic, a lot of young people have discovered that cooking can be a good hobby, and dried figs fit in very well with their exploration of new and unique things. Furthermore, this godsent of a fruit is marvelous when we’re talking about health and flavor.
Another keypoint of dried figs that have awakened interest is that, since it’s a natural product, it adapts very well to a healthy and active lifestyle, and therefore general wellbeing.
Moreover, the fact that dried figs provide the same flavor and nutrition all year round allows for their consumption to increase.
The particular flavor of dried figs
Ethnic groups, specially from the Mediterranean, Middle east and Asia are the biggest consumer of figs. Nonetheless the more their benefits are known, the knowledge of them expands all around, that’s why they have become a basic food in the diets of people all around the world.
If you’ve never had the chance to try a dried fig you’re missing out. This fruit is much more than an interesting name.
Dried figs have a unique flavor and a subtle sweetness that cannot be compared to other fruits.
This, coupled with their versatility and nutritional benefits, make them the perfect fruit to eat on their own or add to a variety of savory or sweet dishes.
Dried figs are here to stay. They are delicious, nutritious and versatile. With their increasing popularity among young people, it's only a matter of time before they become a staple in everyone's diet.
So the next time you see dried figs at your local grocery store, be sure to buy a bag or two. You won't regret it.
In the Recipes category of our blog, you'll find a lot of delicious and healthy recipes that you will surely love.
Today we would like to talk about the benefits our fig bread provides, what ingredients it contains and why it's good for your health.
Dried figs, even if they can be eaten alone, they can also be enjoyed as a base for other foods, as it's the case in "Fig bread El Pajarero"
which, besides containing dried figs also contains nuts, almonds, sultana raisins, cinnamon and anise grains. It's considered a great option for those who are looking for a healthy, tasty and natural snack.
All these ingredients make it an energetic and toning food that contains many health benefits, specially, it can help improve digestive health and issues with constipation.
With its compact dough and its delicious flavor, fig bread is the perfect snack for anyone who is looking for a gluten free, vegan or vegetarian option because even though it's called "fig bread" it doesn't actually contain any wheat.
10 Benefits that the fig bread El Pajarero provides
For this occasion, and so as not to make it too long, we'll only be talking about the ten main benefits of fig bread with dried fruits, but there are many more, no doubt about it. In another article we'll go into more details about it.
1. It gives you energy and vitality, it's perfect to start the day or to give you a burst of energy between meals.
2. Fig bread is rich in fiber, which makes it an excellent solution for constipation issues.
3. Eating it before a meal can help control hunger and cravings during the main course.
4. If you are an athlete, exercise often or require a lot of energy, its calories make it an ideal snack.
5. Fig bread contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, and vitamin K. It is also rich in potassium, iron and calcium.
6. It does not contain gluten or lactose, so it can be consumed by people with celiac disease or intolerance without any risk.
7. Fig bread is a food with beneficial properties for intestinal traffic and health in general, so its regular consumption can be very positive.
8. It provides energy, minerals and fiber, which in turn helps cardiovascular function.
9. If you have iron deficiency, it can be a good natural remedy.
10. Dried figs provide an important amount of antioxidants that support the immune system.
Fig bread with nuts is a perfect snack for any time of day or night. Besides the benefits it offers for our health it's a good option for those who are looking for alternatives that come from healthy ingredients. Another important point is that they contain a very high nutritional value that doesn't get lost, since it's been proven dried figs can be preserved for long periods of time.
Nonetheless, if you've got any health issues, it's important that you check in with your doctor if this is a favorable food for you.
Let us know if you've already tried it! ;)
Fig bread with nuts El pajarero, the perfect balance between natural life, flavour and health.
We all have favourite flavours that remind us of a unique moment, family gatherings or simply the warmth of home. For some it is a specific dish, while for others it may be a flavour or an ingredient.
For Fuensanta, our manager, one of the things that always takes her back to her childhood is fig bread with nuts. She tells us that her father (founder of the company) used to prepare it with his traditional recipe and she used to love helping him, asking for a piece and then another, and another, and another....
With a twinkle in her eye, she adds that every time she tastes fig bread again, those wonderful memories of her childhood come back to her.
Over time, the family recipe has been perfected and became so successful that one day, they decided to elaborate for sales purposes. Today, it is one of the company's most outstanding gourmet products. It is sold internationally and is highly appreciated not only for its traditional recipe, but also for the high quality of its ingredients.
Although it is often referred to as fig "bread", it contains neither flour nor wheat. It is made from dried figs, forming a compact and dense paste, and in the case of Higos El Pajarero, delicious nuts are added.
Although fig bread is a typical preparation of Spanish gastronomy, it can be found in other parts of the world. It is a peasant recipe that was born to allow the lasting preservation of dried figs as an energy food, which was very valuable when farmers worked hard and during long hours..
Nowadays, in Spain, fig bread is produced and consumed not only because it is a natural and delicious product that can be eaten in different ways, but also because its multiple health benefits help protect our organism.
It is the perfect balance between natural life, health and flavour.
And although we will talk about the many benefits of fig bread in another article, we would like to point out that it provides a lot of energy and high doses of fibre, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Perfectly necessary for today's pace of life. It is widely consumed, among others, by athletes and people who need to improve their intestinal transit.
Suggestions to make your fig bread even more irresistible
•Do you want a trick to get an irresistible texture for El Pajarero fig bread with nuts?
•Take it out of the box, remove the film and put it on a plate.
•Microwave it for about 30" at 450 watts.
•Cut it into triangles or square portions and enjoy!
With this trick, not only will it be easier to cut, but the heat will also enhance the delicious flavours of the dried figs and the other ingredients, creating a wonderful combination between them and creating a delicious treat that's hard to resist.
Combine it with tea, with a sweet wine or simply eat it on its own after your favourite dish. You can also eat it as a snack.
The combination of figs with nuts, cinnamon and aniseed seeds creates an incredible flavour profile.
El Pajarero dried figs, of the calabacita variety, are a delicious and nutritious snack enjoyed by people of all ages. However, there are some facts about dried figs that many people don't know. We bring you nine of the most interesting ones.
1) Because of their sweet and mild flavour, dried figs are increasingly used in gastronomy, both in sweet and savoury dishes.
2) Currently, the main producers of dried figs are Spain, Turkey, Greece, Egypt and Morocco.
3) Out of the 700 varieties of fig trees found worldwide, only 300 are grown for human consumption.
4) The nutritional value of dried figs, compared to fresh figs, is tripled due to water loss.
5) Excessive salt intake is one of the main causes of high blood pressure and dried figs can help create a balance and prevent it from rising further.
6) Due to the amount of natural sugar in dried figs, they can increase energy levels and improve mood.
7) Dried figs go well with many varieties of cheese, mushrooms, spinach, arugula, endive, lamb's lettuce and watercress, chicory, spring onions, garlic, tofu, different types of bread and other nuts and dried fruits.
8) Because of their vitamin B6 and vitamin E content, consumption of dried figs can relieve menstrual cramps in women.
9) For those days when we know that we are going to be spending a lot of energy, dried figs are a great option due to them being high in calories.
We hope that these interesting facts about El Pajarero dried figs and, above all, their consumption, have pleasantly surprised you. They are delicious, nutritious and natural, perfect to eat anywhere. If you want to know more about their properties or how to prepare various recipes with them, check out the other entries in our blog.
Dried figs are one of those foods that hide more secrets behind their simple appearance and their sweet flavor. They are full of nutrients and some properties capable of improving the health of anyone.
This fruit is an essential element if you want to enjoy a healthy diet in every sense of the word.
Nutritional values of dried figs
Here is where the real secret of figs can be found. The sweet and tasty substances that can be found in these fruits, are excellent to balance your diet and make it a lot healthier. For starters, the high concentration of fiber in this food is very high, it’s hard to find any other fruit that offers so much fiber in such a direct way. Selenium is one of the most present minerals in a fig.
Flavonoids are elements capable of protecting the organism from many illnesses, they can be found very concentrated in this little fruit capable of making them anyone’s favorite. Nonetheless, very few know that figs are one of the fruit that contain the most calcium, another reason that just by itself makes its consumption recommendable.
Beneficial properties for your health
Fiber, calcium, selenium and many other elements are necessary to have a healthy diet, and the protagonists of these elements are figs. Now, the presence of these substances offers countless healthy qualities that must be taken into account. In these we can mention:
1) It’s excellent to have a great energy level due to its high carb count and how easy it is to assimilate.
2) They are practically fat-free, which makes them a perfect food to keep body weight in check.
3) Its consumption favors elimination of toxins generated by other food and it also prevents some kinds of cancer thanks to its high antioxidant concentration found in its pulp.
4) Lastly, its calcium content is excellent to strengthen bones in the body, scaring away degenerative illnesses like artrosis.
In conclusion, consuming dried figs is a gift, not only for your health but for your palate, and so they should be a part of everyone’s diet.
Why are dry figs so healthy?
In Higos Secos El Pajarero we want to share with you one of the greatest secrets for a healthy diet that will allow you to be in shape: the consumption of dry figs. These little delicacies are full of great properties,vitamins, minerals and many other substances which will give you great health, so get ready to get to know them a bit better.
Properties
The first thing you should know is that the figs El Pajarero have many properties. For starters, they are rich in some of the most important minerals for your body. In fact, these fruits when dry contain great quantities of iron, although it’s not their only advantage. On the contrary, calcium and magnesium are also greatly abundant in dry figs, and so they end up being great to make up for vitamins and minerals you’re not getting.
This food also contains a good quantity of vitamins that you shouldn’t ignore. For example, multiple kinds of vitamin B can be found in high doses in this dry fruit, something ideal for your health.
A healthy diet to prevent illness
Keeping in mind all of these characteristics, it’s easy to guess that dry figs are ideal to aid some pathologies. For example, anemia can be mitigated in a natural way because of the powerful doses of iron and vitamin B. Digestive issues, especially the ones that can cause constipation or acidity, can be fixed by consuming figs El pajarero. That’s because of the fiber that regular consumption of this food can give to your body, an element completely necessary to enjoy a healthy life.
Six amazing benefits that dried figs bring to your health that you probably didn’t know about
Dried figs bring much more than six benefits. Here we list and explain some of them.
- Heart health
- Alkaline formation
- Healthy hair
- Constipation
- Hypertension and Blood Pressure
- Rich in magnesium
Heart health
Dried figs are very low in sodium, but they have high levels of potassium and magnesium. These nutrients work in lowering arterial pressure and in the meantime, the dietetic fiber aids in lowering cholesterol. Antioxidants in figs help prevent the accumulation of plaque on arteries and veins.
Alcaline formation
One of the main benefits of eating dried figs is that they help provide a good alkaline environment for your body, which is important to prevent acidity and inflammation. Some nuts or other dried fruits are processed and actually promote inflammation, but dried figs are an exception to that. An alkaline body can help raise your energy levels and general health.
Healthy hair
Unhealthy hair usually happens when minerals and vitamins in your body are limited. Consuming 4 to 5 drieds figs a day is one of the best ways to achieve follicle health, providing them with the minerals and vitamins they need.
Dried figs help with constipation
Eating 2 to 3 dried figs daily after every meal, not only helps bring your vowel system to a normal functioning, but also helps with gastritis. Eating them on an empty stomach helps the body get rid of any worms and cleans the veins in all of your body.
Hypertension and Arterial Pressure
The high contents in potassium and low contents on sodium of dried figs is a perfect combination to help fight against hypertension and helps keep blood pressure in check. It also contains some elements that can aid in soothing your nerves.
A great source of magnesium
Dried figs are full of magnesium, which is a trace element necessary to keep many enzymatic reactions essential for energy production and a strong immune system.
You can now find dried figs in many grocery stores, eat them to take care of your health as well as enjoying them, as they contain huge doses of magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, etc. Today we will tell you about some of the benefits magnesium has.
Magnesium is one of the most abundant elements in the planet, it’s essential for many physiological processes in the human body. Remember 100 grams of dried figs count for 12% of the daily medium value recommended.
On the other hand, the medium daily value of magnesium we need is over 400 milligrams and is not hard to obtain if you have a varied and equilibrated diet, as it is a very abundant element. Nonetheless, meeting this dosage can be hard if you stray away from the typical mediterranean diet.
This alcaline element is the seventh most abundant in all of planet earth, representing 2% of the earth's crust and is the third most prevalent element found in liquid form after chlorine and sodium. This fact can make us realize how important it is on the physiological processes of living beings, one of them being muscular regulation.
This is the most important mineral for muscular contraction. Without magnesium, there is a chronic deficit and cramps can become much more frequent. It’s presence is essential to some extent so muscular contraction can be regulated properly.
It also intervenes in electrical impulse transmission in different ways, as it also does in protection of DNA and RNA when they are exposed to change. It also forms many coenzymes for important functions.
It’s also a basic mineral for our gut flora, and it’ll be used so our intestinal functions work properly, that’s why magnesium intake must always be above minimum, so it can travel through our intestines and feed our flora. It must be said that 60% to 70% of magnesium travels through our intestines. On the other hand, magnesium is considered essential so that phosphorus and calcium will bind with our bones and teeth, therefore phosphorus and calcium rich foods without magnesium are not effective to fixate these minerals.
But magnesium’s strengths don’t end there, as low levels of plasmatic magnesium are related with anxiety and depression, without any concrete proof. What’s clear is that it’s a crucial mineral that must be very present in our diet or we put ourselves at risk of suffering deficiencies with symptoms such as muscle cramps, anxiety, insomnia, dental problems, bone breakage or even in extreme cases neuronal syndromes like convulsions or spasms, specially in alcoholic or depressed people.
What’s most important is having present that if you want to take care of yourself through a rich, varied and equilibrated diet a little dose of dried figs, along other food products like legumes, whole grains, blue fish, dairy, dried fruits, fatty fruits, dark chocolate, raisins and asparagus, can offer the dose needed to achieve the medium daily value of magnesium. Don’t base your diet in ultra processed or empty food. With an adequate diet you can take care of yourself naturally. And don’t forget dried figs…
We all love nutritious and juicy figs, but since they are such a seasonal fruit, we can’t have them all year round. Luckily, dried figs exist, and they have many benefits to our health and our organism. That’s why it’s one of the recommended foods of the FAO (United National Organization for Agriculture and Diet.)
1) Dried figs have a high content in fiber and minerals like calcium and magnesium.
2) Eating two to three dried figs before your meal helps reduce appetite, furthermore, because of all the natural sugars it contains, it’s a great dessert replacement.
3) If we consume a fistfull of approximately 30g, we will get our daily recommended dose of fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B that our body needs.
4) Dried figs have high contents of fiber and its consumption helps regulate body weight.
5) Athletes have already included dried figs in their daily diet because of all the properties that its magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium and vitamins K and B6 offer to them.
Other five beneficial properties
6) Dried figs help with digestion due to their high fiber content.
7) They are a great food for people who suffer from constipation.
8) Due to the high levels of calcium and magnesium that dried figs contain, its consumption helps with bone health.
9) Dried figs have high protein levels that along with its fats and carbohydrates are essential for human life.
10) Dried figs contain peciticine, a soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels in blood.
If you haven't tried dried figs El Pajarero, we encourage you to try them. Its sweetness and texture are like no other. On our web, you can check where we sell them in your country.
Dry figs make for a great, easy, healthy snack to eat. They are rich in nutrients and can be enjoyed by everyone. They contain a lot of fiber, potassium and calcium and are easy to eat.
You can eat them by themselves or add them to yogurt or cream cheese. They are also delicious for salads and your favorite stews and meats. Here you will find many recipes that have dry figs.
Not only are dry figs delicious and full of vitamins and minerals, but they also have other great benefits for your health. Keep reading to find out about the five main reasons you should consider adding dry figs to your diet today.
5 benefits of eating dry figs
1 Fiber: You most likely have heard that fiber is important for your health. Do you know why? It’s because, among many other reasons the consumption of foods that are high in fiber can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, it keeps your digestion in check and it won't make you feel bloated like other foods. Besides, it’s so filling it’ll prevent overeating. All of these reasons will make your digestive system very grateful for this food. :)
2 Potassium: Potassium deficiency can cause weakening of muscles, arritmia and a slight increase of blood pressure. You will most likely have heard that bananas are a great source of potassium, well, as unlikely as it sounds dry figs contain more potassium than bananas and are easier to digest.
3 Calcium: Most fruits contain a bit of calcium, but dry figs have a remarkably high content in them. If you’re looking for a way of keeping your bones strong, a daily serving of dry figs will give you great results!
4 Magnesium: Magnesium deficiency is very common and is linked to cardiovascular disease and increase of glucose. Due to the multiple operations your organism does everyday it is considering a vital mineral for health. A tasty and natural way of getting more magnesium in your diet is through eating dry figs.
5 Iron: Iron is a mineral that helps your body grow and develop. In fact it’s so important for the growth and development of humans that, if you don’t have enough in you, it can cause anemia. Dry figs are a great source of iron. If you need to increase your iron levels in a natural way, eat dry figs daily.
Dry figs are one of the oldest cultivated plants in history. They have been used for centuries by many different cultures, and they contain antioxidants that will contribute great benefits for your health. In case you haven't yet, it’s time to add dry figs to your diet.