Go fig

Matt Moran

Many chefs, when asked, find it difficult to nominate a favourite fruit. Depends on the season, they say, or what you're using it for.

Not me. I love a new season raspberry or cold climate quince, but there's one out-and-out favourite: the fig.

Some ingredients are destined to be bit players, others naturally take centre stage. Figs are one of the latter. With their unique texture, earthy flavour and undeniable good looks, they're movie star material.

Figs are thought to be one of the first fruits cultivated by man. Known as 'the tree of life' in ancient Egypt, they've been found in tombs there.

They're unusual in structure: the edible pulp inside is the remains of the flower.

Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) March 1