Every morning for the last week or so, I've been bringing figs in for everyone to munch on. I am continually shocked at comments like, "What the heck are those things, anyway ?" or "This is the first fig I ever tasted", or "I thought that they would be bitter" or "How do you eat them? or "Man, they are so good!"...

Really think that figs are still considered an ethnic food. Mostly seen in dried form or fig Newtons, nobody knows what to expect.

I personally hate dried figs and will only eat them fresh.

That was me when I first tasted a fig years ago. I didn't even like the looks of them lol. I tasted one so I wouldn't make my coworker feel bad. Wow  

On thing is for sure, though...they disappear pretty quickly.

I was one of them recently, with the questions. It sure is a good deed sharing them, soon they will be asking for trees. Did you tell them that once you eat one you have the fig addiction, and they will need more to keep them happy. And when the trees go dormant, they will have withdraws. See what you started. I know Dominick is right, I'm Irish and German mix and never heard of such a thing as a fig. I know now.

luke

Well that's certainly a good deed- spreading the wealth.
Ha, I hear you Luke,
I grew up in the Bronx, went to Our Lady of Refuge Catholic school and most parent's were from Ireland (mine) or Italy. Somehow, I didn't know a fig from a fig newton although I did get a few glasses of wine haha. In hindsight, there were probably fig trees everywhere.
Better late than never, unfortunately the old hood has changed a lot and I don't venture up there anymore.

FMD, so true. Some common queries I encountered are:

*  Can they be grown here when the trees are right in front of them.
*  Can you eat the skin.

I also get repeated requests for trees from the same fellas for 3 seasons as the free trees they had got from me never made it thru winter. This is the last season I am giving them free trees as I think as long as it is free, the tendency to care for them is zilch.

FMD--you're the kind of co-worker everyone should be lucky enough to have around!

I recently sent some plants to work with my wife. Some of her coworkers had no idea what a fig was. I figured the best way was to share some good varieties. I sent my extra White Marseilles, Peter's Honey and LSU Gold. Who knows? Maybe they'll catch the bug, and we'll see them on the forum.

I've done the same with many plant friends and neighbors. Even if they don't join the forum, I'm happy to know they now have a fig in their yard and that I am at least partially responsible

Keep giving away them white types more dark types for me to easily obtain .  ; )