I was just reading an old article on identification of fig varieties (1) and came across these two references to fig coffee.

[the fig seeds] "are sufficiently characteristic of the species to enable their identification in food preparations such as marmalade, jam and coffee substitutes."

"latex cells of the fig are so striking that by means of them, one may easily recognize an adulteration of 'fig coffee'."

What's this about fig coffee? I admit to have tossing a Fig Newton into my mug once when no one was looking, but these references sound like something more widespread.

Are any of you acquainted with this practice of fig as a coffee substitute?


(1) Ira J. Condit, Fig Characteristics Useful in the Identification of Varieties, Hilgardia May 1941, pp 30,35

Wow, never heard of that!  Check out this site about COFFIG.
http://www.coffig.com/

They have a place to request a free sample!  Just requested mine.  Hope they don't get more requests than they can handle :)
Thanks Blake.

From the book "Coffee:  Related Beverages"....looks like roasting dried figs then grinding them wouldn't be too difficult.

 

Sent my request in for a free sample, Love my morning Joe this could be a great evening alternative:)

An additive? An adulterant? I guess the difference is just one of full disclosure. This reference suggests figs were one of many adulterants back in the bad old days.

Of course, no one would sell impure products in this day and age, would they?

 

thank you for the info. i placed my order for free sample :)

Came home to the COFFIG samples in my mailbox!  Guess what the first thing I did was :)

So first off, I will drink this again.  Does it taste just like coffee, no.  Do I like it....maybe.  Like coffee, the first tasting may not be a great indicator of how much you'll end up liking it.  It's like coffee in that it's dark with bitterness, but the flavor has a bit of....I guess caramelized fruit tone.  I think I do like it, but more tasting required....probably for science sake I should have another cup with cookies....probably several times with several different kinds of cookies....I think that's an important part of the scientific method, no?

In some ways it kind of reminds me of black tea.

I ordered a sample too. Maybe some cream and sugar would balance the flavor?

Mike in Hanover, VA

Maybe Mike.  I tried it black and with a little whole milk.  They recommend a bit of sweetener, but I didn't as I never use sweeteners with coffee or tea.

Silly question; Can the "grounds" be used as a spice, smoothie addition or sprinkled on a salad?

I can't figure out why you couldn't but it seems silly that Coffig would limit their market.

R

 
Fig and coffee haha

Greg, I get the feeling that you're not totally convinced about the flavor:) In this case I'll stick to dark tea.

Hi Sas, I will definitely say that it didn't make me want to dry, roast and grind up my figs....higher calling as fruit.  But I'll drink it a bunch more times and see if I just need to train my buds.  First time I tried coffee, really dark chocolate or beer I wasn't convinced either....love them all now.  The sample is free...give it a taste and let us know what you think.

Thank you for the info. Just ordered some through Amazon(Free Shipping).

You're welcome Gene.  I'll try it blended with my morning cup to see how I like the mix tomorrow.

Just a quick follow up to say that I've grown attached to this stuff.  I drink it daily, usually black and by itself, but sometimes with real coffee.  Really like it now.

Thanks, Greg! I am going to order some and take it for a test drive.... I usually drink my coffee lite with milk and no sugar or sometimes add a little cocoa... Be interested to see how this stuff would compare. Re: your comment about black tea..., I usually add some dark rum to my black tea... wonder how that addition would taste....
Thanks,
Tony

Hi, Greg: I ordered it the same day you posted but I have not received it.  Glad to hear you are enjoying it.  I wish I received it by now.  

Meg, they are still growing yours.... and now mine.... :-)

Lol...it will surely be a huge sample by the time they send it :-D

I tried it this week. The envelope is sitting next to my coffee maker.
At first I tried it by itself, like instant coffee, and ended up with a cup of something with lots of fig seeds. I wonder if these seeds would grow.
Then I brewed some coffee and added it to the mixture and my conclusion was hold the Coffig.
Perhaps I'm missing something. Just to be fair I did not read the directions.

I had gone to the web site and requested a sample, never got it, tried the web site all day today, could not get there, email was returned.