Fig-Leaf Syrup Recipe

The Flavour of Fig Leaves

Working in the garden next to my fig trees on a hot summer day, I often get wafts of a sweet, delicious smell.

It's the smell of fig leaves.

Often overlooked, those sweet-smelling fresh fig leaves can be used in many recipes. It's just one more reason to grow a fig tree!

When using fig leaves in cooking, the leaves are discarded once the flavour is pulled out of them.

I like to use fresh fig leaves. Some people use dried fig leaves to make fig-leaf tea. And if you want to enjoy fig leaves over the winter, just freeze some. I freeze fig leaves by stacking a few of them and then placing them in a freezer bag.

Keep reading to find out more about using figs leaves in cooking, and for a simple fig-leaf syrup recipe.

How to Use Fig Leaves

Here are a few ways to use fig leaves:

• Fig-leaf ice cream

• Fig-leaf granita

• Fig-leaf panna cotta (a favourite in my family!)

Here's the recipe for fig-leaf panna cotta.

Here's a chef making fig-leaf grappa and fig-leaf cheese.

What do Fig Leaves Taste Like?

I describe fig leaves as having a flavour that combines toasted almond, coconut—and touch of herbaceous.

The fig-leaf flavour works well in desserts. The fig-leaf flavour also pairs nicely with savoury dishes. (I once had partridge served with a fig-leaf glaze!)

Find out how chef David Salt uses fig leaves.

Fig Leaf Syrup Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 fig leaves (fresh leaves in the summer, or frozen leaves in the winter)

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• 500 mL water

Directions

• Place fig leaves flat in a heat-proof bowl

• Put sugar and water in saucepan and bring to a boil until sugar dissolves to make a sugar syrup

• Pour the hot liquid over the fig leaves

• Allow to steep until it cools to room temperature

• Refrigerate overnight

• Remove leaves and it's ready to use

What is fig syrup good for?

The delicate flavour of fig leaves pairs nicely with fruit such as strawberries and blueberries. But fig leaves also go well in savoury dishes, so try some fig-leaf syrup drizzled atop poultry or fish.

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