Get your fig on this month from January 19 as the annual picking season starts at the renowned Hoogwater Farmlife and Accommodation in the small town of Wolseley.
Hoogwater Farmlife and Accommodation offers families the chance to spend the day under the sun as they forage for fresh figs.
The farm will host a pop-up deli where visitors can grab either a light lunch or breakfast, with a choice of freshly baked croissants, a selection of cakes and savoury treats, including cheeses and cured meats. Juices and other snacks are also available.
Bring a picnic blanket and spend the day under the trees as you while away the long summer days.
If you plan on spending the night, the cottage at Hoogwater Farm offers guests a rustic experience of the outdoors, with a private plunge pool, indoor fireplace and fully equipped kitchen.
The farm house gives its guests a taste of real country living as it is situated on a working fruit farm, which is also home to a range of citrus orchards.
Fig picking details
A basic entrance fee is applicable, costing R45 per adult and R20 per child.
Fig picking is charged based on the number of punnets you fill, costing R5 for 12 figs which fit in a single punnet. Visitors, however, may eat as much as they like while exploring the orchards and picking their harvests to take home. Punnets are provided to visitors.
Visitors are advised to wear a sunhat and bring sunscreen with for the day of foraging.
Picking season for figs will end on February 3 2019.
There are no credit card facilities available at the farm and it is advise to bring cash with you to pay for the entrance, punnets and deli goods.
Facts about figs
There is more to the juicy and pulpy taste of figs than you think, we found a few interesting facts about this much-loved fruit.
1. The blossom of a fig tree is located inside the fruit and many tiny flowers are produced within the fruit.
2. Figs are ideal to bake with as they proceed an added locked-in moisture.
3. During the Roman era, figs were believed to restore strength to young people and used as a health supplement for the elderly.
4. Consuming half a cup of figs contains almost as much calcium as half a glass of milk.
5. Egyptian royalty consumed figs, it is believed that is was a fruit served to Cleopatra.
6. Dried figs are high in various vitamins such as vitamin K, calcium and potassium.
Picture: Pixabay
