Figs, or anjeer, are a delicious fruit that is often eaten dried in India. Figs are known for their nutritional benefits, such as promoting gut health, strengthening muscles, and improving energy levels. However, some people are concerned that this ‘fruit’ may be carnivorous. Sounds weird, right? How can a fruit growing on a tree be non-vegetarian? This confusion arises from the unique process behind the formation of the fig fruit. Was there a conspiracy? Read on to know more about how figs are made and decide whether you would call them vegetarian or non-vegetarian.
Role of wasps in the fruiting of figs
The fig begins as an inverted closed flower. This shape prevents the wind or common pollinators such as bees from spreading fig pollen. This is where pollinator wasps help the fig tree turn flowers into fruits. A female wasp crawls into a small hole in a fig flower to lay her eggs. During this process, her antennae and wings break off, and she becomes unable to climb out, and dies while still inside the flower shortly afterwards.
Also read: 5 Reasons Why Dried Figs (Anjeer) Are the Best Snack for Travel – According to a Nutritionist
The wasps digest the wasp’s body using an enzyme called ficin, which breaks down the body into proteins. Its eggs hatch, the larvae mate and then crawl out of the fig.
For each fig consumed, a wasp would likely die inside it in order for it to come to fruition. However, since the wasp’s body is absorbent, you will not eat the insect’s carcass when harvesting the fruit.
According to consultant nutritionist Rupali Dutta, pollination is a natural process required for fruiting and the role played by bees, wasps or insects does not make the fruit, in this case fig, a non-vegetarian product.
Do you think figs are vegetarian or non-vegetarian?
Many figs are self-pollinated and do not need wasps
According to Beauty Without Cruelty – India, an international educational charitable trust for animal rights, the figs that are grown and sold commercially in India are generally common or edible figs, produced parthenocarpically. – That is, without the aid of fig wasps or pollination. Fig varieties that fall in this category include Poona, Condria, Mission, Kadota and Brown Turkey.
Also read: Fig Water for Weight Loss: How This Incredible Drink Can Help You Lose Weight
Some Vegetarians Can Still Eat Figs – Know Why!
While many people may find figs non-vegetarian due to their manufacturing process, some vegetarians argue that figs are still suitable for consumption. This is because veganism is a movement against animal exploitation, whereas wasp-fig pollination is a natural process that does not involve human-led animal exploitation.
What is your opinion about figs? Would you consider them non-vegetarian or vegetarian? Share your views in the comments section.
