This spiny, bitter, orange, pea-sized fruit has been cultivated throughout India and China for more than 1500 years. As trade routes opened, eggplant was introduced to Europe by the Arabs and transported to Africa by the Persians.
When did eggplants originate?
Food historians have traced eggplants to their origins in either India or China. Some records show that eggplants were cultivated as early as 50 BCE. Travelers carried the fruit west to Europe, then eventually it arrived in America, thanks to Thomas Jefferson bringing seeds back from France.
Is eggplant too old?
Eggplants should be fairly firm to the touch and have smooth skin. If the veggie is soft, mushy, feels spongy, or the skin is full of sinkholes or wrinkles, throw it out.
How did the eggplant evolve naturally?
‘ The team found that the group containing the relatives of the aubergine originated in northeastern Africa some two million years ago. Plants then dispersed eastwards to tropical Asia, and to southern and western Africa. In Asia, the dispersal gave rise to a species that scientists call Solanum insanum.
When was the eggplant first domesticated?
They also indicate that the domestication of the eggplant took place not later than 59 bc in China. As far as is known, this is the earliest record of eggplant, the time of which is precisely determined.
Where was eggplant first found?
India
Its origin is considered to be India where it continues to grow wild. This spiny, bitter, orange, pea-sized fruit has been cultivated throughout India and China for more than 1500 years. As trade routes opened, eggplant was introduced to Europe by the Arabs and transported to Africa by the Persians.
Who first discovered eggplant?
Eggplants originated in China and India and have been cultivated there for thousands of years. The Spanish Moors introduced the eggplant into southern and Eastern Europe where it became very popular. The early explorers of the New World introduced eggplant into the Americas in the 1500s, but the plant never caught on.
Can you eat eggplant skin?
While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, “Do you peel eggplant before cooking?” is yes, peel it.
Can eggplant make you sick?
Raw eggplant can cause a number of issues.
Although you’d have to eat a significant amount of raw eggplant for the effects to be lethal, Glatter said eating raw eggplant can still lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Glatter said “to avoid any risk,” he highly suggests cooking it well.
How did eggplants become purple?
Aubergines come in many different varieties, and not all of them are the characteristic colour. However, many of them are a shade of violet or purple, and this is caused by the presence of anthocyanins.
When did eggplants become purple?
The first recorded use of eggplant as a color name in English was in 1915. The pinkish-purple-grayish color shown in the color box as eggplant was introduced by Crayola in 1998.
Who named the eggplant?
The name of eggplant was given it by Europeans in the middle of the eighteenth century because the variety they knew had fruits that were the shape and size of goose eggs. That variety also had fruits that are a whitish or yellowish colour rather than the wine purple that is more familiar to us nowadays.
Is an eggplant a berry?
Yes, berries! Many fruits that come from a single flower, like eggplants, and even cucumbers and melons, are classified as berries. Eggplants count as vegetables only in one sense—the culinary.
Do elephants eat eggplant?
The African elephant and the impala, both inhabitants of African savannahs and with historical distribution ranges that encompass the continent, are both known to eat the fruits and disperse the seeds of these wild eggplant relatives.
Is bitter eggplant toxic?
The bitterness is the characteristic feature of the Asian variety of eggplant. The bitter taste is because of the alkaloid compound, solanine which is toxic in excess doses. It is not poisonous for many people and is relatively safe to consume when eaten raw in moderation.
How long does an eggplant live?
How long do eggplant plants live? Eggplant plants can live up to three years in very warm climates, like zones 10-12. But in most regions they’re grown as annuals, and only live for one season.
What is the eggplant emoji called?
The Eggplant emoji (?), also known by its Unicode name of Aubergine, is an emoji featuring a purple eggplant. It is one of the most commonly used emojis on social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
What is eggplant called in England?
Aubergine
Aubergine (UK) / Eggplant (US)
The word aubergine, used in the UK, comes from French.
Is eggplant good for u?
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.
What’s another name for eggplant?
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 is it called egg plant?
According to research from Purdue University’s department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, the English-language use of the name “eggplant” dates to the British occupation of India, where white egg-shaped fruits were spotted.