Chinese eggplants are long and thin, averaging 15-20 centimeters in length and 5 centimeters in diameter. These fruits can be crooked or straight, and its thin outer skin ranges from violet to bright purple.
Is there a difference between Chinese eggplant and regular eggplant?
China is the world’s top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it’s apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.
How much does average Chinese eggplant weigh?
These eggplants have a very thin skin which makes them desirable for stews, curries and the like. They vary greatly in size but are typically about 8 inches long, 1-1/2 inches diameter and weigh 5 ounces.
What is the average eggplant size?
7 to 10 inches long
The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit 7 to 10 inches long when fully mature.
What does Chinese eggplant look like?
Chinese eggplants are long and thin with vibrant lavender skin and white flesh, and can appear either crooked or straight. They taste mildly sweet and hold up when cooked.
What does Chinese eggplant taste like?
Chinese eggplants are long and slender and can be straight or curved. Eggplant is generally spongy and absorbent. Their outer skin ranges from pale violet to bright purple and their inner flesh is semi firm and almost seedless. They have a delicate slightly sweet flavor profile.
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.
What is considered a large eggplant?
American Eggplant
The American varieties, which are the most familiar in the US, are most often dark purple in color, larger in size, and pear-shaped. This variety grows up to 12 inches in length, the average width ranges from 2 to 5 inches in diameter, and they can weigh over a pound.
Is Chinese eggplant good for you?
Nutritional value: Chinese eggplants contain manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. They also have anthocyanins which give the eggplant a deep purple color and are known for antioxidant properties.
How big is a small eggplant?
2 to 3 in.
Compact plants produce baby-size eggplants early and often. Equally at home in a container or in the garden, Patio Baby yields purple-black fruits that are 2 to 3 in. (5 to 7 cm) long and about 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter.
What is a medium sized eggplant?
A medium unpeeled eggplant weighs about 550 grams and it contains 32 grams of carbohydrates, 19 gram of fibre and 6 grams of protein. Average calories: 152 per one medium eggplant.
Can eggplants get too big?
Baby eggplants are a delight to eat. But you can leave them too long. Eggplant should be harvested when they are one-third to two-thirds full mature size.
How big do eggplants get before you pick them?
You can harvest eggplants any time that you see it, starting when it’s only an inch or two long.
Can you eat the skin of a Chinese eggplant?
Like tomatoes, the seeds and the skin of eggplants are edible. A specific and popular type of eggplant, Chinese eggplants have fewer seeds and thinner skin than their sister varieties. Larger eggplants are called “globes,” but Chinese eggplants are long and thin.
Should you peel Chinese eggplant?
Chinese eggplant is thin and long, making it very easy to cut into pieces. There’s no need to peel this variety since the skins cook up very quickly. You can cut them however you prefer (round slices, cubes, etc), but traditionally, this type of dish uses eggplant that’s cut into thick matchsticks.
What’s the difference between Japanese and Chinese eggplant?
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.
Should you salt Chinese eggplant?
In summary, the Chinese eggplant should be treated with salt and vinegar and coated with either egg white or cornflour if you intend to deep-fried the eggplant.
Can you substitute eggplant for Chinese eggplant?
You can use either Japanese or Chinese eggplant even Italian globe eggplant. A unique Chinese sauce that’s savory, sweet and piquant, called “Fish-Fragrant” even though there’s no fish in the ingredients!
Why do you have to soak eggplant in water?
Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out its bitterness. Brining can be used instead and has the added advantage of helping the eggplant keep its shape when it’s cooked, whether your recipe calls for baking, frying, or grilling.
Which is the sweetest eggplant?
Italian Eggplant
Italian Eggplant
They tend to have a sweeter flavor than globe eggplant. They aren’t officially Italian but are labeled as Italian in the U.S. and used in Italian recipes, such as eggplant Parmesan and melanzane fritte al pomodoro, fried eggplant in tomato sauce.
What are the long skinny eggplants called?
Chinese Eggplant
1. Chinese Eggplant. The Chinese eggplant — not to be confused with the similar-looking Japanese eggplant — has a long, narrow body with a light to mid-toned purple exterior and white flesh. Because it has fewer seeds that the familiar globe (American) variety, it’s less bitter in taste.