Figs seem to have been around since the dawn of time.
They have been mentioned in the Bible, with Adam and Eve covering themselves with Fig Leaves, and were mentioned by Pliny The Elder in the 1st Century A.D.
It plays a symbolic role in Buddhism, as it is said that Buddha attained enlightenment after meditating under a Fig Tree for many weeks.
It has also been a symbol of peace, prosperity and fertility.
Figs are thought to have been the first plant cultivated by humans, most likely originating in Asia, and making its way to the Mediterranean with human migration where it fed the ancient Romans and Greeks.
Though a Fig is commonly called a Fruit, it is a Syconium, a type of Infructescence, meaning that it is a type of multiple fruit.
A Syconium is a tiny group of inverted flowers that grow inside a pod. These hundreds of flowers produce seeds with a casing, and the flesh around the casing of these seeds is an accessory fruit.
But for simplicity’s sake, the Fig is a fruit.
Though Figs are mostly enjoyed when eaten, it can be found in fragrances as well.
In fragrance, it has a juicy, mellow, almost earthy aroma that is almost always recognizable.
Castling from Mind Games - Fig Leaves are boosted and sweetened with creamy Iris and Vanilla Woods and brightened with Bergamot and Freesia. What you get is a juicy fragrance with earthy tones.
Scholar’s Mate From Mind Games - Fig Milk adds a creamy quality to an earthy blend of Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Vetiver and Resins. Cardamom and Cinnamon add a hint of spice while Grapefruit and Bergamot add brightness. You can smell the juicy quality of the Fig within all the spice and woods.
Arethusa from Tiziana Terenzi - Fig adds a juicy quality to a blend of citruses and fruits. Salt, Sand, Woods and grassy notes give this scent a gentle beachy/aquatic vibe.
French Oak & Sage Imperiale from Michel Germain - Bergamot brightens a Fig Leaf note, helping to lend a fresh quality to a blend of Cedarwood, Oak and Sandalwood.
Gris Charnel from BDK Parfums - Fig mellows a blend of spices, Black Tea and Vetiver, and is given a gentle boost in longevity with the creamy tones of Iris and Sandalwood.
In the Extrait version, a Fig Accord is less sweet with additional wood notes, Leathery Cistus and more intensity with the Tea and spices, but it can still be felt just under the surface.
There are other fragrances with Fig notes that can be found at Parfumerie Nasreen, but with these scents, Fig is a main player of the compositions.
You can try them all at Parfumerie Nasreen, and see if Fig is a note for you.
We’d love to hear about some of your favorite Fig fragrances from other houses as well!
