Can you eat figs as a vegan?
For years, there has been debate about the question: can you eat figs if you call yourself a vegan? Although figs grow on trees, some people believe they are not suitable for a vegan diet. But do these people have a point, or are they taking their beliefs too far?
Freedom of choice
Of course, everyone can decide for themselves what they do or do not eat. And, in all honesty, there is a lot wrong with the way our meat and dairy are produced. So it is hardly surprising that more and more people are choosing to stop eating animal products altogether. However, some vegans go further than others and also avoid honey. This is because honey is made by bees, disrupting their natural behavior, and bees are sometimes injured or killed during harvesting. A moderately committed vegan then draws their conclusions and chooses not to eat honey.
The problem with figs
But what is wrong with figs? Some figs are pollinated by the fig wasp, tiny insects whose females live for only a few days. In that short life, they have just one goal: to find a fig tree where they can lay their eggs. And the remarkable thing is that every species of fig tree has its own fig wasp, which it lures with its scent. Sometimes the female fig wasp flies dozens of kilometers to find the right tree. When the time comes, she lays her eggs in the fig bud. Figs are actually a kind of inside-out flower. After several weeks, the female offspring of the fig wasp emerge from the fig and fly off in search of a fig tree to pollinate. The males die after mating.
No figs for vegans
Vegans do not want to have the remaining wasps on their conscience by swallowing them. Although they are usually completely broken down by the enzymes in the figs. What is more, there are plenty of fig varieties that grow without the involvement of the fig wasp. In the meantime, we can also imagine that the thought of wasps in your juicy fruit might drive you to veganism.
If you have no problem with any of the above, figs with bacon might just become your new favorite snack.
Also read:
- We bought vegan mozzarella and it turned out to be a bad idea
- Prickly pears are life-threatening and cannot be eaten without gloves
- ONA is the first vegan restaurant in France with a Michelin star
