Why should vegans not eat Anjeer?Reason will surprise you

There has been an ongoing debate about whether Figs (Anjeer) are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. They are unique tear-shaped edible fruits that thrive in hot summers.

Figs are commonly called fruits, but they are inverted flowers. Their pollination requires a wasp, however, the process is a little different.

During pollination, a female wasp enters a fig through a tiny opening, lays her eggs and dies inside. It means every fig contains dead wasps, which makes the fruit inedible for vegans and some vegetarians. 

Though there are several fig species with this pollination method, not all fig varieties contain wasps. 

Some farmers have successfully induced ripening in some fig varieties by applying plant hormones. This approach offers a vegan-friendly alternative. 

Jains abstain from consuming figs as the fruit contains living organisms in the flesh of the figs, which cannot be visible with the naked eyes. 

Meanwhile, fresh figs are mostly water and carbohydrates, and they can be eaten raw. It is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. 

Figs are also commonly dried, made into jams, or preserved. Dried figs offer extended storage life and are often eaten in India.

In a nutshell, figs have a surprising characteristic that makes them unsuitable for vegans, leading to their classification as non-vegetarian.