TURKISH FIGS

Heritage

Few regions on earth can claim a longer or more continuous relationship with a single fruit than Aydın province in Turkey’s Aegean region can claim with the fig. Cultivation in the Büyük and Küçük Menderes river valleys stretches back more than 2,500 years, a heritage so old that the ancient historian Herodotus, writing from nearby Bodrum in the fifth century BC, famously declared that “fig culture is as old as human history” and claimed the Persian army abandoned a particular battle campaign specifically because they had run out of figs to eat.

The particular geography of these two river valleys, with their precise combination of temperature, humidity and prevailing wind during the fig’s flowering period, proved uniquely suited to producing exceptional fruit, and export trade flourished dramatically from the 19th century onward, when Aydın figs were shipped from the port of İzmir, ancient Smyrna, to markets across Europe and America, a trade that gave the variety its enduring international name. Today Turkey stands as the world’s single largest fig producer, responsible for roughly a quarter of global fresh fig output and over half of all dried fig production worldwide, with Aydın province alone accounting for around 60-65% of the entire country’s fig harvest.

This extraordinary concentration of quality and tradition earned formal recognition in 2006, when Aydın fig received official geographical indication status in Turkey, protecting a heritage that predates almost every other named agricultural product in Europe. The main Sarılop cultivar, still grown almost exclusively in these two river basins, is genuinely irreplaceable elsewhere, a rare case of a named variety remaining tied to its precise place of origin for the entirety of its multi-thousand-year cultivation history. The Turkish fig season runs from July through August for fresh fruit, with harvest continuing into the drying season through October for the region’s celebrated dried figs.

Nutritional Profile

Your health-conscious diners will appreciate what wholesale Turkish figs bring to the table:

• Genuinely low in calories fresh – approximately 74 calories per 100g raw

• Good source of dietary fibre – around 2.9g per 100g fresh, rising to nearly 10g per 100g dried

• Contains calcium – supporting bone health, notably higher than most fresh fruits

• Provides potassium – around 232mg per 100g fresh, supporting healthy blood pressure

• Contains iron – supporting healthy blood and oxygen transport

• Rich in vitamin K – supporting bone health and blood clotting

• Contains beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin – contributing to eye health

• Exceptionally high antioxidant capacity, particularly concentrated in dried fruit

The remarkable mineral density of wholesale Turkish figs, particularly their genuinely high calcium, potassium and iron content, makes them one of the most nutritionally valuable fruits available to any kitchen, whether served fresh at peak summer ripeness or dried for year-round use.

Chef’s Corner

Turkish figs deliver an exceptionally delicate, honeyed sweetness with a luxuriously soft, almost jammy texture once fully ripe, a quality that has made the Sarılop variety internationally famous. Their thin skin and high sugar content mean careful, gentle handling is essential, but their versatility across raw, roasted and dried applications rewards that care generously. When sourcing wholesale Turkish figs, look for plump, tender fruit with skin that yields gently to pressure, a sweet fragrant aroma at the base, and no splitting or excessive softness, indicating peak ripeness without spoilage.

Here’s how London chefs are making the most of this Aegean treasure:

Raw Applications:

• Serve simply halved or quartered alongside cured meats, prosciutto and charcuterie boards

• Feature on cheese boards, particularly alongside soft, creamy varieties and blue cheese

• Slice into salads with rocket, walnuts and a sharp vinaigrette

• Drizzle with honey and a little sea salt for an elegant simple starter

Cooked Applications:

• Roast whole with honey and thyme for a refined accompaniment to roasted meats

• Bake into tarts, cakes and frangipane for classic patisserie applications

• Poach gently in red wine or spiced syrup for sophisticated plated desserts

• Use dried figs in stuffings, braises and slow-cooked stews, adding natural sweetness and depth

• Blend dried figs into chutneys and preserves, particularly excellent alongside cheese

Preparation Tips: Fresh figs are highly perishable and best used within a day or two of peak ripeness; handle gently to avoid bruising the delicate skin. There’s rarely any need to peel figs, as the skin is entirely edible and adds textural contrast. Dried figs benefit from a brief soak in warm water, wine or spirits before use in baking or braising, softening the fruit and intensifying its flavour. Understanding these techniques helps you maximise the value of your wholesale Turkish figs order.

Complementary Ingredients

Building dishes around wholesale Turkish figs? These pairings work brilliantly:

• Prosciutto and other cured meats – the classic savoury pairing for fresh figs

• Blue cheese and goat’s cheese – balancing sweetness with sharp, tangy contrast

• Honey – enhancing natural sweetness in simple preparations

• Walnuts – adding texture and complementary nutty depth

• Thyme and rosemary – bringing herbal complexity to roasted preparations

• Red wine – deepening flavour in poached desserts and reductions

• Balsamic vinegar – adding sharp contrast to salads and roasted dishes

• Vanilla – rounding out sweetness in baked applications

We can coordinate your premium European and Mediterranean speciality produce order when you buy wholesale Turkish figs from Rushtons.

Wholesale Turkish Figs from Rushtons

As one of the most historically significant and consistently exceptional fruits in our wholesale range, Turkish figs help you create dishes that celebrate genuine Aegean provenance and over two millennia of continuous cultivation. We work with trusted growers from the Menderes river basins to bring authentic, world-leading fruit to every order.

What makes ordering wholesale Turkish figs from Rushtons the right choice?

• Genuine Aydın-region figs from the world’s leading fig-producing area

• Available in both prized fresh and premium dried forms

• Exceptional natural sweetness and melting texture

• Harvested at peak ripeness during the summer season

• Expert guidance on storage and preparation

• Perfect coordination with our wider range of European specialities

• Six-day-a-week delivery across London

Often regarded as the world’s benchmark for fig quality, wholesale Turkish figs bring genuine ancient provenance, exceptional sweetness and centuries of Aegean heritage to modern menus.

Browse our fresh produce wholesale collection to explore our complete range of premium European and Mediterranean specialities.

Ring us to check wholesale Turkish figs availability and pricing. This is genuinely premium produce from the world’s leading fig-growing region, with strong seasonal demand among chefs seeking authentic provenance and exceptional flavour, so advance ordering helps secure availability throughout the summer season. We deliver throughout London six days a week.