What's this about fig coffee?

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Wekadog

Registered:1430968286
Posts: 25

Posted 1471982797	Reply with quote #1

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 __________________ Blake Zone 9b Ventura County, California

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1471987789	Reply with quote #2

Wow, never heard of that! Check out this site about COFFIG. http://www.coffig.com/ __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1471988132	Reply with quote #3

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. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1471988767	Reply with quote #4

From the book "Coffee: Related Beverages"....looks like roasting dried figs then grinding them wouldn't be too difficult. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

kingoceanos

Registered:1446130601
Posts: 111

Posted 1471993129

Reply with quote #5

Sent my request in for a free sample, Love my morning Joe this could be a great evening alternative:)
__________________
Wish List so far.Figo Preto, Italian 258, Godfather

Wekadog

Registered:1430968286
Posts: 25

Posted 1471996814	Reply with quote #6

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? __________________ Blake Zone 9b Ventura County, California

jaylyne

Registered:1444371077
Posts: 62

Posted 1472014915	Reply with quote #7

thank you for the info. i placed my order for free sample :) __________________ wellspring garden starter plants: celeste, Marseille, Olympian, Chicago (2015) wishlist: votata, shiblawsi, 184-15, 187.25, sucrette UD zone 5

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1472249024	Reply with quote #8

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? __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1472249090	Reply with quote #9

In some ways it kind of reminds me of black tea. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

MGorski

Registered:1399823521
Posts: 370

Posted 1472262919	Reply with quote #10

I ordered a sample too. Maybe some cream and sugar would balance the flavor? Mike in Hanover, VA __________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1472267975	Reply with quote #11

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. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

Rusty

Registered:1472298001
Posts: 17

Posted 1472301559	Reply with quote #12

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

ercan_bilgi

Registered:1420372879
Posts: 174

Posted 1472306699	Reply with quote #13

Fig and coffee haha __________________ *Turkish common figs* https://mobile.facebook.com/ercan.bilgi.10?ref=bookmarks eBay seller ID: rcnblg

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1472314810	Reply with quote #14

Greg, I get the feeling that you're not totally convinced about the flavor:) In this case I'll stick to dark tea. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1472347446	Reply with quote #15

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. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1472358648	Reply with quote #16

Thank you for the info. Just ordered some through Amazon(Free Shipping). __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1472388633	Reply with quote #17

Quote: Originally Posted by GregMartin From the book "Coffee: Related Beverages"....looks like roasting dried figs then grinding them wouldn't be too difficult. Thanks for the note an Vienna coffee Greg. I remember having some several years ago at a cafe in Salsburg and it was quite good. I just ordered a sample from COFFIG and will try it mixed with my own coffee blend. I make my coffee in an old-fashioned Italian pot and it should be good. __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1472423927	Reply with quote #18

You're welcome Gene. I'll try it blended with my morning cup to see how I like the mix tomorrow. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1473948496	Reply with quote #19

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. __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

tsparozi

Registered:1470160644
Posts: 302

Posted 1473949335	Reply with quote #20

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 __________________ Tony S - Zone 6A Carmel, NY WL-Ischia Black (UCD/USDA), Martinenca, Calderona, Victoria, Craven's Craving, Colonel Littman's Black Cross, Bon Jesusa, Sant Martina, Princesa, Paretjal Negra

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1473973128	Reply with quote #21

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. Quote: Originally Posted by GregMartin 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. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

tsparozi

Registered:1470160644
Posts: 302

Posted 1473973488	Reply with quote #22

Meg, they are still growing yours.... and now mine.... :-) __________________ Tony S - Zone 6A Carmel, NY WL-Ischia Black (UCD/USDA), Martinenca, Calderona, Victoria, Craven's Craving, Colonel Littman's Black Cross, Bon Jesusa, Sant Martina, Princesa, Paretjal Negra

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1473973665	Reply with quote #23

Lol...it will surely be a huge sample by the time they send it :-D __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1473975403	Reply with quote #24

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. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,330

Posted 1473978403	Reply with quote #25

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. __________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.

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