Super informative. As a little kid, I had heard of fig wasps and went through a brief period where I was afraid of getting stung when eating the fruit.
As an adult, I'm partial to the idea that agriculture started as a way to make fermented beverages, rather than bread. I was initially worried when I read that figs may predate grain, but I'm happy to say that it looks like one can make a great drink out of them too (although, that's a distilled version).
I love the fact that you were worried about being stung--children get odd impressions. Glad to hear about fig fermentation :) Never know when that comes in handy. I couldn't resist looking up the history of fermentation--curiosity leads me down strange paths sometimes. Found this--https://eatcultured.com/blogs/news/fermentation-a-history. You never know, fermentation may have come first.
I like to believe so.
One of my favorite things is that the ancient Sumerian Hym to Ninkasi doubles as a recipe for brewing beer.
I can almost hear voices rising up as women set to work brewing beer. The Hym is wonderful. I may use that as a resource in the future. Thank you!
But the part of the article that tickled me most was the line: "many academics - who may, as a class, have special expertise in beer". Author was having a bit of fun there.
Do yourself a favor and lookup the etymology of symposium if you don't know it already ;)
I didn't know it, but do now! Thanks. Another wonderful bit of information.