Do Fig Biscuits Contain Wasp Venom?
Figs are popular in many dessert courses. They are also an excellent source of protein. Some people have allergies to wasp venom, however. This means that figs are not for everyone.
Figs are unique among fruits. They have a special enzyme called ficain that breaks down the exoskeleton of the female wasp. Once ripe, the fig digests the wasp and turns it into protein.
The female wasp is a a small creature, weighing in at around a millimeter in size. It pollinates figs and carries pollen to other figs. It can be considered the fig’s queen. The fig also produces a special scent when it’s ready for pollination.
The female wasp is the main reason for the fig’s existence. Its main job is to pollinate the fig’s flowers. She brings pollen to the fig’s male flowers and collects the pollen from them to feed to the female flowers. She can also collect pollen from dead fig partners to feed to her eggs. She has a very good reason for doing this, however. She won’t have to rely on her wings again.
The male fig wasp has a similar job. It produces a worm-like creature. It chomps its way through the fig’s husk, making exit holes for its female siblings. It also has the fig’s shortest route to the fruit’s best tasting spot.
It may not be the best fig, but it does the fig proud. The fig’s other main job is to produce crunchy seeds. This is the reason for the name of the fruit.