Where Is Eggplant Grown?

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) grows wild in its homeland of

South Asia

as a perennial plant, though these warm-season vegetables are treated by most gardeners as annuals.

What country produces the most eggplant?

Where is eggplant best grown?

Because eggplant really needs warm soil to grow well, gardeners in

cool climates

often do best growing the plants in large, dark-colored containers. On a sunny day, soil temperatures inside black pots may be 10 degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures.

Where are eggplants farmed?

New Jersey is actually called the “Garden State” for a reason and is known as the eggplant capital of the world — it’s where 66 percent of the world’s eggplants come from!

Florida

ranks No. 2 in U.S. in eggplant farming, where the crop plays a strong role in Italian cuisine.

Where does the eggplant come from?

Eggplant, (Solanum melongena), also called aubergine or Guinea squash, tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible fruits. Eggplant requires a warm climate and has been cultivated in its native

Southeast Asia

since remote antiquity.

Why are eggplants bad for you?

Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as

burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting

, and heart arrhythmias.

What is the eggplant capital of the world?

Did you know that New Jersey grows about 66 percent of the world’s eggplants? It’s true!

What should you not plant next to eggplant?

When planting

catnip

with eggplant, be sure to avoid planting it by peas and green beans, since catnip negatively affects their growth and development. Mints like peppermint and spearmint are both good companion plant types to plant around eggplants because they reduce the numbers of flea beetles.

Do eggplants grow back every year?

Although eggplant is a perennial,

it is more commonly grown as an annual

. Eggplant flowers are star-shaped in various shades of purple and usually form on opposite leaves as either solitary blooms or grouped in clusters of two or more.

Why do we call it eggplant?

There are several varieties of eggplant fruits. Most are long and oval-shaped, like a gourd or squash. … Well, way back in the 1700s, early European versions of eggplant were smaller and yellow or white. They looked

like goose or chicken eggs

, which led to the name “eggplant.”

Do eggplants need full sun?

As a basic rule of thumb, vegetables grown for their fruit or roots—such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes, or carrots—

require full sun

, which is defined as a garden location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day. … Keep in mind, though, that no vegetable can thrive in deep, dense shade.

What does the eggplant emoji mean?

The eggplant emoji is also called the aubergine emoji in the UK and Japan. … When paired with the mouth emoji, it means

oral sex

. When paired with the peach emoji, (a butt or female genitalia), it means anal or vaginal sex. When next to the sweat droplets emoji, it means ejaculation.

What are the benefits of eating eggplant?

Eggplant has

antioxidants like vitamins A and C

, which help protect your cells against damage. It’s also high in natural plant chemicals called polyphenols, which may help cells do a better job of processing sugar if you have diabetes.

Is eggplant coming back next year?

With proper pruning and feeding, eggplant can be

grown as a perennial

, though gardeners should be prepared for harvests to decline eventually.

When did eggplant come to America?

The eggplant was among the plants introduced early into America by the Spaniards. It was grown in Brazil before 1650. In the United States purple and white varieties for ornament were described in

1806

. Until a mere 50 years ago many varieties of eggplant grown in America were for ornament only.