Characterized by their long, narrow shape, both Japanese and
Chinese eggplant can be hard to differentiate
. Japanese eggplant tends to have a much deeper purple color, while Chinese eggplant is usually lighter, more lavender-purple, and is sometimes even longer.
Is Chinese eggplant the same as Japanese eggplant?
Japanese eggplant are
slightly smaller than Chinese eggplant
and have the same dark purple skin as the American and Italian varieties. Also quick cooking but not as mild as Chinese eggplant, they’re excellent for grilling and broiling, and they stand up to the assertive flavors of garlic, soy, and ginger.
Can I use Chinese eggplant instead of Japanese eggplant?
In most recipes,
the different types of eggplant are interchangeable
. If you would like to serve a more delicate eggplant than the common type, use the mild-flavored, excellent Chinese and Japanese varieties. Some cooks are concerned that their eggplant might be bitter.
Does Japanese eggplant taste different?
In addition to Asia, Japanese eggplants are grown in Europe, South America, and the US. How to cook them: Japanese eggplants have a thin skin and sponge-like texture which allows sauces and flavors to quickly absorb. They also have
a slightly sweeter taste
which pairs well with miso, soy sauce, and ginger.
Do all eggplants taste the same?
There’s no real flavor difference between white eggplant and other colors
, but they sure look cool. Their flavor is a bit more delicate; if the strong, bitter flavor of eggplant is a tad much for you, white eggplant is a good choice.
Are Japanese eggplants good for you?
It’s a
high source of dietary fiber
and is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate, potassium and manganese.
What is the best tasting eggplant?
Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale
are simply the best eggplants we’ve ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.
How do you know when to pick a Japanese eggplant?
Harvesting:
Pick when skin is glossy
; dull fruit indicates over-ripeness. Both under-and over-ripe fruit tastes bitter. Pick white eggplants before skin turns yellow. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut eggplants, keeping a short stub of stem attached.
What is Chinese eggplant called?
Also known as
Oriental Charm and Pingtung Long
, Chinese eggplant inherently has fewer seeds than Western eggplant varieties making them less bitter and meatier. Chinese eggplants are popularly used in stir-fries and will hold its shape when cooked.
Can you eat graffiti eggplant?
Description/Taste
The outer skin is shiny, thin, and smooth and is striped with violet with ivory white. The inner flesh is cream to pale white and has small, edible seeds. Graffiti eggplants are tender and smooth with a sweet and slightly fruity flavor when cooked.
Can I eat green eggplant?
For the majority of the reasons we described previously,
your eggplant will be safe for eating
. However, for a couple of the reasons we mentioned, it might not taste very good. If it’s overripe, you may want to avoid bringing it into your kitchen, because it will be pretty bitter.
Is white eggplant edible?
White eggplants are best suited for
cooked applications
such as sautéing, pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, and baking. Their skins are firmer than purple varieties and should be peeled before cooking. They can be sliced and grilled, used in stir-fries, or sautéed with other vegetables as a side dish.
How can you tell if eggplant is ripe?
Ripe eggplants should be firm but not hard.
Flesh should be white with a slight green tint
(orange eggplants ripen orange/green inside). If you are unsure of your eggplant’s ripeness, cut one crosswise and check the seeds. They should be clearly visible.
How many eggplants do you get per plant?
The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit. ‘Black Beauty’ is the traditional eggplant size.
One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit
.
Does eggplant need to be salted before cooking?
No need to salt first
. Most recipes for eggplant insist you salt it before cooking. … If you’re cooking it in some other way — roasting, grilling, steaming — salting has no effect. And when you are salting eggplant for frying, it takes a lot more than just a quick sprinkle and rinse.
