Eggplant: Its many varieties available across the world!

Eggplants, also known as aubergines , brinjal or baingan, is typically used as a vegetable in cooking in several cuisines. It is nutritionally low in macronutrient and micronutrient content. However, eggplant’s ability to absorb oils and flavours into its flesh through cooking expands its use in the culinary arts. Eggplant is believed to have originated in India, where it continues to grow wild, or in Africa. Also, it has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia for thousands of years. In India, eggplant is used in a large variety of dishes, brinjal masala fry and brinjal & mango sambar, being a few of them. Moreover, brinjal curry has been proved to be the oldest curry in the world, which could be traced to around 4000 years ago. Here is a look at some varieties of eggplant available around the world.

China is the world’s top producer and consumer of eggplant. Chinese Eggplant has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with white flesh and sweeter taste. It contains fewer seeds than other varieties, and are therefore less bitter. Chinese eggplant is better suited to quick cooking methods such as flash frying, stir-frying, sautéing, and grilling.

This variety is small and violet with mottled white stripes. It is a mini eggplant which is usually 4 inches long. The interior of Fairy Tale eggplant is light, creamy, and delicately sweet. Many times, it used whole without any chopping or dicing.

This is the most likely variety of eggplant that you will find in the market. They are much darker and wider and have a tougher, meatier texture than other varieties. They work well as a protein or bread substitute. They tend to be less flavorful than other types, but are useful for their high flesh-to-skin ratio, which makes for quick chopping for stews and dips.

They are similar in shape and color to American eggplant. However, Italian eggplant are more delicate and sweeter than their larger cousins, and their smaller size makes them a good choice for stuffing and roasting.

Also known as striped eggplants, graffiti eggplants are unique due to their purple and white exterior. Also, they don’t have a standard size. Their seeds and skin are pleasant, so they are ideal for eating whole or pureeing. Graffiti eggplant’s taste is similar to standard eggplants, but have a subtle sweetness in them.

They are mostly purple and spherical and are also known as baby eggplants. They are known for their small, round appearance and tender texture. Indian eggplant is used extensively in curries, bhartas, among many other dishes.

This variety of eggplants is one of the most eye-catching. They are plump and round with purple and white exteriors. This mild variety is completely void of bitterness and tastes best when sliced and roasted or grilled.

The white eggplant is pretty much identical to a standard one, except its creamy skin. They have the same texture, same taste, and same capabilities, all but up in a different colour.