I won't be around for a couple of weeks,
headed to China in a few hours on a business trip.

Time permitting, my plan is to search out a fig tree I was told about,
that produces the largest figs in the world.
Variety is called Won Hung Low

;-)  :-)

Back.

Martin, Who Flung Poo was on vacation,
met his brother and sister,
Wo Flung Dung and Sum Ting Wong  ;-)

Had spare time, was a long journey, two flights each way,
over 6,000 miles round trip, and lots of driving,
but made it to the 500 year old fig tree.

Saw many fig trees and grape vines in this area,
they have roadways covered for miles with grape trellis.

Tasted the most amazing dried figs I ever had,
also got to eat fresh melons that were locally grown,
very unique taste.

Interesting side trip,
wish I had more time to explore this area of China
and during the proper season.

Wild Mountain Figs

 I had the chance to try some dried figs,
they were small, dried cherry size.

There were a couple of different versions,
the very dried ones that needed hydration
and one type that was dried in a similar fashion to
dried figs from Cali or Turkey,
with sufficient moisture content to eat without rehydrating.

They were small in size, like a large size button,
darker in color and sticky from the sweetness of the fig.
Had an intensive fig flavor, with a little nuttiness and very sweet,
but not overpowering.

Best tasting dried fig I have ever eaten by a wide margin,
this fig was priced in a similar fashion,
as it was a little more than 10 times the cost ( $55 kg)  of other dried mountain figs at this vendor.
I was told these figs come from a specific mountain/area in Tajikistan,
transported on horseback from the mountains to the border and in limited supply.
I should have brought back a suitcase filled with these figs :-)

I had dried figs soaked in strong black tea which had a good taste,
had the same combo but with various spices and sugar added, again tasty.
Had figs soaked in several different wines, as this is a big grape area in China.

Since we arrived very late at the 500 year old fig tree,
and it was too nasty and late to head back towards the main city,
we spent a few hours resting/sleeping at the caretakers house nearby,
in the morning,  the family served us breakfast,
which had dried figs from the 500 y/o tree  prepared several ways.
The most unique and tasty to me was a porridge like dish that featured
the whole dried figs that were boiled in Yak's milk with  raisins, dates and walnuts,
with some additional spices and served in a bowl.
Eat some directly from the bowl  and the remaining portion was poured over rice,
it was a perfect combination of salty and sweet and very filling and warming.