The jelly-fig wasp: Only in Taiwan
In mentioning “unique to Taiwan,” Fan has put his finger on an important point: The jelly fig grows only in Taiwan, and the reason for that lies with the jelly-fig wasp.
MDARES associate researcher Lin Meng-jin notes that “the reproduction of jelly-fig vines is completely dependent on pollination by jelly-fig wasps [Wiebesia awkeotsang], which are only three millimeters in length and do not sting people. After the jelly-fig fruits form, a small fissure of 3 mm automatically opens at the outer end of the fruit, and the fruit releases a special scent that attracts fig wasps to enter.” The symbiotic relationship between the jelly-fig vine and its fig wasp demonstrates the wonder and mystery of nature.
As long as 20 years ago, farmers from Taiwan came up with the idea of planting jelly-fig vines in mainland China and Southeast Asia, and even transported jelly-fig wasps from Taiwan to these places. But the wasps could not acclimatize themselves to local conditions, were unable to achieve their mission of pollinating the jelly figs, and died of disease.
Lin Meng-jin explains that there is no technology anywhere in the world for raising fig wasps by artificial reproduction. In mainland China there is a fig that is closely related to the jelly fig, known as the creeping fig (Ficus pumila), but it is far inferior to the jelly fig in terms of pectin content. Some experts have tried to use Wiebesia pumilae, the wasp for the creeping fig, in place of Wiebesia awkeotsang, the wasp for the Taiwanese jelly fig. But while the two wasps are close cousins, because their populations have developed separate identities over the course of evolution, the creeping-fig wasp can only penetrate creeping-fig fruits, and efforts to use it to pollinate Taiwanese jelly figs have ended in failure.
In recent years, mainland China has succeeded in replicating various Taiwanese agricultural crops, such as atemoya, bananas, and Taiwanese Yuhebao (“jade purse”) lychees. But they have been unable to grow the jelly fig, which can be seen as a gift bestowed specifically on Taiwan by nature.
To strengthen the jelly-fig industry, MDARES has selected specific varieties for research on substances extracted from the fruit. It has discovered that extracts taken from jelly-fig embryo cells can suppress melanin production and boost collagen production. Cellular and animal testing in collaboration with China Medical University has confirmed their skin-lightening and skin-restorative properties, and there are no technical obstacles to their being developed into skin-lightening cosmetics.
MDARES researcher Lu Mei-chun says that normally about 200 milliliters of aiyu jelly can be made with the pectin squeezed out of one jelly fig by the traditional method of kneading by hand. But through extraction using biotechnology, one jelly fig can be turned into 500 facial treatment masks or 400 bottles of jelly-fig essence. Currently MDARES is seeking out business partners for technology transfer. If new products can be developed, this will increase incentives for farmers to plant jelly figs, and give rise to uniquely Taiwanese beauty products!
Jelly figs baked at 45°C for 55 hours make a tasty snack food.
If properly cared for, the pest-resistant Miaoli No. 1 jelly fig will produce large fruit with thin skin and lots of seeds.
When jelly-fig achenes are kneaded in mineral water, the mineral ions in the water combine with the pectic enzymes in the fruit, producing aiyu jelly.
Aiyu jelly can be flavored in various ways, such as with brown sugar, ginger juice, winter melon tea, and lemon juice; or with kumquats and dried plums. Both versions are popular with children and are all natural.
Aiyu jelly can be flavored in various ways, such as with brown sugar, ginger juice, winter melon tea, and lemon juice; or with kumquats and dried plums. Both versions are popular with children and are all natural.
Aiyu jelly can be flavored in various ways, such as with brown sugar, ginger juice, winter melon tea, and lemon juice; or with kumquats and dried plums. Both versions are popular with children and are all natural.
Miaoli No. 1 and No. 2 jelly figs can be cultivated in the lowlands, are high-yielding and are easy to pick, enabling farmers to increase their harvests.