Is Anjeer a ‘Non-Vegetarian’ Fruit? The Truth Behind Viral Social Media Debate
Anjeer, also known as Fig, is once again in discussions on social media. Some people believe that Anjeer cannot be called vegetarian because it develops through a special type of process, which involves insects. Anjeer is consumed in dry form especially in India and West Asia and is seen as a fruit. But in reality, it is an “inverted flower” whose flower is hidden inside it.
Most vegetarian foods do not contain any type of animal part, so they are all considered vegetarian or “vegan-friendly”. But a unique enzyme is found in figs, which is produced by a special type of wasp. This is the reason why the idea of considering it non-vegetarian comes to the fore. This debate also gained momentum because the method of pollination of figs is a bit unusual and wasps play an important role in it.
This discussion increased when Indian actress Shenaz Treasurywala shared a video in which she told that during the pollination of figs, a female wasp enters the fig through a small hole. In this process, her wings break and she is unable to get out. The wasp lays eggs inside the fig and eventually dies there. The eggs give birth to a female wasp, which comes out of the fig, but the life of the male wasp ends there.
The belief that the body of a wasp is present in every fig is not completely correct. The enzymes present within the fig break down the body of the wasp and convert it into nutrients. But this process is what causes some people, especially vegans, to define figs as “non-vegetarian”.
Not all figs are dependent on wasp pollination. Many farmers have started pollinating figs using chemical hormones, which makes the process possible without the use of wasps. This method can certainly be seen as a vegan-friendly option. Still, many people from the Jain community do not eat this fruit, as it is difficult to find out which figs are pollinated by wasps and which are artificial.
This non-vegetarian and vegan debate about figs is quite interesting. It is a personal choice whether one includes figs according to their dietary style or not. From the point of view of science and vegan philosophy, not every fig needs to be pollinated by wasps and hormone-based methods can solve this controversy.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information circulating in viral social media discussions and is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Neither the author nor Punenow News intend to influence personal dietary choices or claim scientific authority on the topic. Readers are encouraged to verify the details with experts or trusted scientific sources before making any conclusions or dietary changes. Punenow News and the author disclaim any responsibility for controversies, interpretations, or decisions arising from this content.
