Anjeer Dry Fruit | Dried Figs

Popularly known as “Angeer” in hindi, dried figs are a health fruit that has gained a lot of popularity off late. Although figs are generally seasonal fruits, they are available right through the year in dried form. They are lusciously sweet with a texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin and the crunchiness of their seeds. Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and zinc.

They also contain good levels of B-complex groups of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, folates and panthothenic acid. Figs are higher in fiber than any other fresh or dried fruit per serving, containing about five to six grams per portion of three figs. They are particularly rich in soluble fiber like pectin, which has been proven effective in lowering cholesterol.

If there was a monarchy in dried fruits, Dried Figs would have ruled for ever. Loaded with nutrients, figs come in different colors of green, yellow and purple. Kashmiri Figs are majorly green and purple with an excellent taste and health value. Drying out gives figs the elegant copper-brown color which is in it, an attraction for the eyes. The benefits of figs being limited due to their seasonal nature are now cherished throughout the year in the dried form. The figs are exotic in taste, but dried figs are, simply Divine!!

Anjeer Dry Fruit Usage

Not more than 2-3 pieces of dried figs are to be taken daily. It’s advisable to wash them with water before consumption. 2-3 pieces of dried figs sliced can be boiled in milk and then consumed for better results. Dried figs can be used in a wide variety of recipes and sweets. Many chocolate and energy bars use figs as their main ingredient.

Anjeer Dry Fruit Health Benefits

• Dried figs are rich in dietary fibre. 3 pieces of dried figs contain 5 grams of fibre, which accounts for about 20% of our daily requirement. It’s a natural laxative for preventing constipation and other digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome.

• High levels of antioxidants in dried figs helps to eliminate free radicals, hence preventing heart disease.

• Figs are believed to be very beneficial in preventing hypertension. It helps to restore the sodium-potassium balance inside the body, hence assisting in prevention of hypertension.

• Dried figs are a rich source of iron, just one dried fig can give you 2% of your daily iron requirement. Eating fig, increase levels of iron in the body, hence raising hemoglobin levels indirectly.

• Being calcium rich foods, eating figs can help improve bone density and strength.

• Figs are also helpful in enhancing libido in both men and women. Greeks used fig as a natural aphrodisiac. Figs were considered sacred fruit and were closely associated with fertility and love. Being loaded with minerals like zinc, manganese and magnesium, they play an important role in boosting reproductive health.

• High fiber content in figs make them good for people with diabetes. However dried figs are high in sugar content, so it’s advisable to consult a diabetologist, to enquire about the quantity of dried figs one can consume, if diabetic.

Anjeer Dry Fruit Shelf Life

Dry figs have a limited shelf life, due to their high residual water content. Average shelf life varies from 4-6 months. However if recommended storage temperature and relative humidity (T<20° C & RH- 60-70%) are compiled with, dried figs may be kept for a few more months. If handled incorrectly, figs may become tacky, support yeast growth and give unpleasant odor.