Working in the garden next to my fig trees on a hot summer day, I often get wafts of a sweet, delicious smell.

It's the smell of fig leaves.

Fig Leaves Edible

Often overlooked, those sweet-smelling fresh fig leaves can be used in many recipes. It's just one more reason to grow a fig tree!

Here are a few ways to use fig leaves:

Fig-leaf ice cream
Fig-leaf granita
Fig-leaf panna cotta (a favourite in my family!)

Here's the recipe for fig-leaf panna cotta.

Here's a chef making fig-leaf grappa and fig-leaf cheese.

When using fig leaves in cooking, the leaves are discarded once the flavour is pulled out of them.

I like to use fresh fig leaves. Some people use dried fig leaves to make fig-leaf tea. And if you want to enjoy fig leaves over the winter, just freeze some. I freeze fig leaves by stacking a few of them and then placing them in a freezer bag.

What do Fig Leaves Taste Like?

I describe fig leaves as having a flavour that combines toasted almond, coconut—and touch of herbaceous.

The fig-leaf flavour works well in desserts. The fig-leaf flavour also pairs nicely with savoury dishes. (I once had partridge served with a fig-leaf glaze!)

Find out how chef David Salt uses fig leaves.

Fig Leaf Syrup Recipe

Ingredients

4 fig leaves (fresh leaves in the summer, or frozen leaves in the winter)
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
500 mL water

Directions

Place fig leaves flat in a heat-proof bowl
Put sugar and water in saucepan and bring to a boil until sugar dissolves to make a sugar syrup
Pour the hot liquid over the fig leaves
Allow to steep until it cools to room temperature
Refrigerate overnight
Remove leaves and it's ready to use

What is fig syrup good for?

The delicate flavour of fig leaves pairs nicely with fruit such as strawberries and blueberries. But fig leaves also go well in savoury dishes, so try some fig-leaf syrup drizzled atop poultry or fish.