These eggplants are very bitter and very small. If that's you, your world is about to get a whole lot more purple. They are also very nutritious with very few calories and high amounts of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and many other nutrients. Fruits can be dark purple, lavender, yellow, white, rose, cream, reddish purple and even orange, depending on the selection. Exclude cutworms with paper collars and flea beetles with row covers. The small, round "Easter Egg" is a cultivar of white eggplant that turns yellow at its ripest -- though it's best to pick it at its earlier, white stage. They are often called baby eggplants because of their small size and may also be referred to as Thai Round Yellow, Thai Yellow Egg, and Golden Eggs. Perhaps there was a seed or labeling mix-up. It is the size of a golf ball and has a slightly bitter taste. "These eggplant don't split open as quickly. Most commonly purple, the spongy, absorbent fruit is used in several cuisines. … It is very commonly roasted and served as a side dish but it can also be added to Japanese sesame chicken or various types of soups. They are delicious when stewed, baked, and roasted and they come in varieties that include the Purple Rain, Fairytale, and Shooting Stars. 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. Like Japanese eggplant, they have meaty flesh with few seeds, perfect for stir-frying and sautéing. There are many more sizes, shapes and colors of eggplant varieties than the familiar large purple eggplant found in most supermarkets. Its name came from the 18th-century European cultivars that resembled the goose or hen’s eggs. Usually prepared like a vegetable, this meaty ingredient is actually a fruit and works in everything from stir-fry to pizza. The long skinny ones are meatier, making them great for stir-fry. Great stuffed or roasted, it is also called the Baby eggplant and it is used frequently in Indian dishes that use curry, among other dishes. In Italy, it’s called a “crazy apple” because of the belief that anyone who ate them will go insane. In fact, the seeds themselves are so bitter that they are always removed before cooking. Although many eggplants are purple, not every variety produces this iconic fruit color. These large round oval eggplants are an Italian heirloom variety with a thin, light purple and white skin. Eggplants should be strong enough to go it alone 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting. The problem of eggplant leaves turning yellow can be caused by a variety of reasons. The diversity of available eggplant varieties is astounding. They are also known as Purple Rain, Shooting Stars, Pandora Striped Rose, Listada De Gandia, and the Epi team's favorite, Fairytale. China is the world’s leading eggplant producer accounting to over 60 percent of global production. Similar to the Japanese in shape, these ones are a bit longer and lighter in color and are slightly less sweet. fairytaleeggplant071619.jpg. When it is cooked, the texture is extra creamy and it has a mild flavor that is perfect for any recipe that calls for standard eggplant. In addition, eggplant is a sun loving plant and should be positioned in an area that receives full sunlight. If you're gonna go big, pick up the Italian variety Santana, a tear-dropped shaped, dark purple eggplant. The tango turns yellow later in harvest, when it will become firmer and stronger in flavor. Solanum melongena is grown worldwide for its edible fruit. But i have also discovered that there is a thai yellow variety. These BABY YELLOW EGGPLANTS are an example of the seemingly infinite variety of eggplant shapes and colors. Typically used as a vegetable in cooking, it is a berry by botanical definition. With a sweet and creamy taste and texture, these eggplants are large and round with a thin, purple-and-white skin. If from a commercial source, is it a source where they would have other eggplant varieties such that a stray seed of a white variety could have gotten into the package? Learn more about the eggplant and discover its many different types. Know the harvest size of the eggplant variety you are growing; eggplants mature at anywhere from 2 to 10 inches long depending upon the variety. Well, take a walk through a farmers market mid-summer and you'll realize that couldn't be further from the truth. There’s actually an astonishing variety of eggplants. Those different shapes, sizes, and flavors (!) When it gets close to harvest time, the Tango eggplant turns yellow and becomes stronger in flavor and firmer in texture. "There are all sorts of different varieties and different types," says Beth Woods, a farmer with Oak Grove Plantation, in Pittstown, NJ. Ships from Ohio Thai Yellow Egg. Eggplants are slightly larger plants than … There are countless varieties out there, all unique in their own way. Graffiti Eggplant. Actually, all eggplants used to be white, but over time they lost ground space to the more insect-resistant and drought-tolerant globe eggplant. "And the different sizes all have different uses.". All eggplant contains the toxin solanine, rendering this vegetable inedible when raw. And generally speaking, the white varieties are sweeter. Famous in Thailand, the egg-sized fruit are picked when they are bright golden-yellow. bride price consisted of having at least 12 eggplant recipes. Yellow eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are a rare Thai heirloom variety and are members of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family along with potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Eggplant is a highly diverse crop widely cultivated around the globe. A Chinese heirloom variety with fruit that is small- to medium-sized, this eggplant is lavender in color and has subtle patterns of purple throughout. This type of eggplant is small and has a reddish-purple color. This is a very hardy and productive type of eggplant and it has thin skin, a nice sweet flavor, and a small egg-like shape and size. © 2021 Condé Nast. Graffiti eggplant, sometimes called Sicilian eggplant, get its nam… White Eggplant. The babies are tender and mild, and can be eaten whole, skins and all. Their seeds are small and their skin is very thin so you don’t even have to peel them if you don’t want to. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Two of the white eggplants in my garden turned a brilliant, sunny yellow - the color of a fresh egg yolk. The following lists the most common issues that cause the foliage to yellow: Excessive shade – As your eggplants grow, the leaves become large and bushy. They can be grown in small gardens because of their size and they are especially popular throughout West Africa. Once it gets to the size of a tennis ball, it is ready to eat; since it has very soft skin, there is usually no need to peel it. They are used in many Thai dishes and as a garnish. The earliest written record about the benefits of eggplants existed in the Ayurvedic texts in 100 B.C. Given their tropical and subtropical heritage, eggplants do require relatively high temperatures, similar to tomatoes and peppers (which, like eggplants, are in the Nightshade family). To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories. The culture of eggplant is similar to that of bell pepper, with transplants being set in the garden after all danger of frost is past. The Ping Tung Long eggplant is long and dark purple. Their size and shape range from small and round to long slender fruit. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Santana Eggplant. 4 Greens You Need to Add to Your Salad Bowl, Fried Eggplant, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad. About Eggplants. It is extremely fragrant when cooked. It’s rarely bitter and cooks fast, as is the case with other small Asian eggplant varieties. Long and dark purple in color, the Ping Tung eggplant has flesh that is both sweet and tender. Thai eggplants thrive in tropical climates, and have a tender skin and delicate flavor. So i suspect that this one plant might be a yellow variety. Clara. Carolyn They get very soft and creamy when cooked, and have an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture. This is an Italian heirloom variety that is perfect for making eggplant Parmesan or for stuffing and you can find dozens of other recipes for it online. This eggplant is plump and round and it has a pale green color. Thai eggplant varieties may be purple, white, red or green and are smaller than other eggplant varietals. They have a thicker skin (you'll want to peel these! There was a bright yellow eggplant and when I asked what it was the vendor didn't know. Harvest. Or is this one of those quirks of nature? Fairy Tale Eggplant. The latter variety is best harvested when 6 inches long and 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Originating in Taiwan, this type of eggplant is popular throughout Asia and if you really want to enjoy its flavor and texture, try grilling it and serving it with a little olive oil and salt. The Ping Tung eggplant also has several unique characteristics. It originated in India and has been cultivated in both India and China for over 1500 years. Perfect for stir-fry dishes, this type of eggplant grows to roughly 11 inches in length and is very thin, making it perfect for a variety of dishes. As its name suggests, this type of eggplant comes from Thailand and is consumed more than any other type of eggplant in that country. Ad Choices. They come in two varieties, Oriental Charm and Pingtung Long. With delicate and attractive striped markings, these eggplants can … Eggplant. White eggplants, including the tango variety, come in both egg and pear shapes. Like an Easter egg, this bright Indian variety measures about three inches long and two in diameter. Now let’s jump into your eggplant options. All rights reserved. Do not allow weeds to grow near eggplants. The Italian eggplant is perfect for any Italian recipe that calls for eggplant so research those recipes online and enjoy this scrumptious type of eggplant. My problem is that so many of the eggplants turn yellow. When this happens, the bottom leaves turn yellow … To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. You have to peel these eggplants because they have a thick skin but they also offer a creamier and firmer texture than the purple varieties of eggplant. Italian Eggplant. With delicate and attractive striped markings, these eggplants can be small or large and are perfect for eating whole. Many white-skinned varieties of eggplant are in cultivation, particularly in Southeast Asia. It is small but still fat and it has very tender flesh. Woods especially likes to roast this one on the grill, then turn it into baba ghanoush. Others are stringy and harder, but Santanas are good for roasting on the grill.". Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. Japanese eggplant are long and thin, with a dark, almost black color and glossy appearance. Woods recommends this eggplant for stuffing or making eggplant Parmesan. Japanese eggplant (left), Chinese eggplant (right). Fruits of the whites often turn a pale yellow as the fruit s age. They can also come in white and purple. These come in both large and small sizes, and are named for their pretty and distinctive striped markings. ), but a firmer, creamier texture than purple varieties. Another of the great staple agricultural crops of India, eggplant varieties have long been appreciated in traditional communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Mediterranean coast, and, more recently, the Americas. It is an Italian variety that is teardrop-shaped and dark purple in color. But on the inside, they're nearly identical to your standard eggplant. If you've only ever picked up an eggplant at the grocery store, you may think that each and every eggplant is the same large, oblong, and deep purple. More often than not, they are yellow in color and are perfect when chopped up and cooked with various sauces and dishes made of fish, meats, and vegetables. They have small seeds and a thin peel, making them great to eat whole—no peeling necessary—and are good for baking, roasting, and stewing. They are actually kind of a beautiful golden color, but they should be deep purple, almost … The Best Eggplant to Plant. and yellow!) As a member of the genus Solanum, it is related to the tomato, chili pepper, and potato, although they are new world and the eggplant… As for varietal eggplant, today there are a huge number of specific forms. While eggplant generally grows best in dependably warm and settled weather, we trial eggplant varieties for performance in less favorable conditions, as well as for superior flavor and appearance. Yellow Eggplant Fruit. A few days later I pull the eggplant out of the fridge and it looks like the yellow eggplant had rotted. Its flesh is tender and sweet. If you're gonna go big, pick up the Italian variety Santana, a tear … "Thai Yellow Egg," on the other hand, is ripe when it … Cut it into large chunks to braise, stir-fry, saute, or pickle. brandtbolding/Getty Images. The Graffiti eggplant also cooks quickly and is especially tasty when paired with grilled meats and cheeses such as mozzarella and feta. Is there such a thing as a yellow eggplant variety? One of the most popular ways to cook the Santana eggplant is to grill it because it isn’t hard or stringy as other varieties are. Much as other types of eggplant, this one is very versatile and can be enjoyed in dozens of recipes, which you can easily find with a quick trip to the Internet. So instead of that classic globe, try one of these out for size next time your eggplant cravings hit. Some eggplant varieties are yellow at maturity, rather than the familiar purple of the common American types. Yellow eggplants? It also doesn’t split open as quickly as other types, making it perfect for roasting on your grill. Eggplants or aubergines are flowering plants that belong to the nightshade family. Today we will talk about the latter. Because of their unique taste, Thai eggplants are usually diced or cubed and added to hot curry dishes. Find out how the various type looks like, where it came from, and how you can include them in your recipes. The meat is sweet and creamy. She said it was the only one and it was growing with the dark purple eggplant. Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. to choose from. But the biggest find can be considered yellow eggplants. The Tango eggplant is a type of white eggplant and can be either pear- or egg-shaped. In China, a woman’s bride price consisted of having at least 12 eggplant recipes before her wedding day. Ping Tung Long. There are even variegated ones! In the people they are called "blue", but in the beds grow well and the fruit is almost black, and pink, and white. A unique variety … (Solanum melongena and others) Eggplant is easy to grow, and the fruit is nutritious and incredibly delicious. There's quite a few white eggplant varieties out there, but what all of them have in common is their stark white skin. Most people think of large, waxy, purple fruits when eggplant comes to mind. We picked 10 of our favorites to share so the next time you're at the market, you'll be inspired to try whichever you may find. If you are into large eggplants, this is the one for you. These aren't your eggplant parm guys, they are better for sautéing, stir-fried, or pickled. Yellow eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are a rare Thai heirloom variety and are members of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family along with potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. The Italian eggplant resembles a standard Globe eggplant but has certain distinguishing characteristics. Salting the spongy flesh before cooking removes excess water and bitter substances. are best suited for different uses in the kitchen. Italian eggplant looks pretty similar to globe eggplant, but it's size … Eggplant is a cold-sensitive vegetable that requires a long warm season for best yields. You can find eggplant fruit in hues of white, red, yellow, and green. Botanically, the eggplant is also considered a berry fruit while culinarily they’re considered a vegetable. Native to Thailand, these eggplants range from the round green variety to slender, elongated Thai yellow eggplant or Thai white eggplant. All my other eggplants are thriving & producing bright purple, white, or perfectly striated purple & white fruit. Varieties include the Yellow Egg eggplant, which is a solid yellow color, and the Thai Long Green eggplant, which is light green in color and very long in size. With a slender shape and colors that can include not only white but also green, lavender, pink, or purple, the Japanese White Egg eggplant has a stem that is usually dark purple in color. And could it be a white variety? While they might all remind you somewhat of the classic Italian globe eggplant, each variety is actually very different. Chinese Eggplant. There's no real flavor difference between white eggplant and other … Staying in Europe, but moving from France to Italy, ‘Clara’ is an Italian hybrid that produces a … Eggplant fruits can range in color from pale green to a deep purple that looks black, including many that appear in shades of yellow, or even white. One that's readily available in North America is 'Casper,' an elongated white variety that matures fairly early and has a mild, almost mushroom-like taste.Developed in France, the fruits of this cultivar ripen fairly early, in about 60 days. But when most people think eggplant, they think of the large classic Italian purple-black numbers. I was buying eggplant from a farmstand that specializes in Italian varieties. Basic requirements Eggplants are warm-season crops which require a long growing season.They grow best in regions where the daytime temperature is between 26 and 32°C (80–90°F) and night time temperatures around 21°C (70°F). Colorwise, they aren’t limited to purple. A variety of the Asian eggplant characterized by their long, thin shape and purple … Eggplants are such delicious things. Eggplant, aubergine or brinjal is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Thai eggplant comes in many different colors but most of them are green with either white or yellow stripes. It does not have to be peeled, isn’t bitter in taste, does well in all zones in the United States, and turns darker in color as it matures. In fact, the African Garden Egg eggplant is still grown mostly in West and Central Africa and it both stores and transports very well. They are often called baby eggplants because of their small size and may also be referred to as Thai Round Yellow, Thai Yellow Egg, and Golden Eggs. National Garden Bureau, Inc. There are oh-so-many shades of purple (and white! If a type of eggplant … It is not the same thing as the regular Japanese White eggplant because the latter is closer to a common purple eggplant when it comes to its shape and size. olive oil, fresh thyme, medium zucchini, red bell pepper, orange bell pepper and 6 more. Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks.