The market · Herbs and aromatics · Southern Europe, The Middle East
Fig leaves
Big leaves from the fig tree that taste of little raw but release a scent of coconut, green walnut and vanilla when warmed or infused.
coconut · green walnut · vanilla
Goes with
Knowing it
- Where to buy
- From a tree — your own, a neighbour's, a friend's. Rarely sold. Pick young, unblemished, bright green ones.
- Worth knowing
- Infuse torn leaves in hot cream or milk for ice cream and panna cotta, then strain; or wrap fish or goat's cheese in a leaf to grill so the scent steams in. Toasting them briefly first makes it deeper and nuttier. The sap can irritate skin, so rinse your hands.
