White eggplants refer to any cultivator of eggplants whose skin is the color white. There are many different varieties, from old heirloom ones to much more recently cultivated hybrids. Nutritional Value: white eggplants are high in potassium and also offer some B vitamins, magnesium, and copper.
Can you eat a white eggplant?
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.
Why is eggplant purple and not white?
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. Anthocyanins are pigments which often give red, blue or purple colouration in plants.
Is there such thing as white eggplant?
Here are some of the more popular varieties of pure white eggplant, as well as mottled or striped white eggplant cultivars: Casper – long, zucchini-shaped fruit with solid white skin. Clara – long, thin, white fruit. Japanese White Egg – medium sized, round, pure white fruit.
Do you peel white eggplant?
While the skin of a white eggplant may be tougher than purple eggplants and should be peeled off before cooking, the dense white flesh makes them better suited to baking, steaming or frying as they can hold their shape better.
Do purple eggplants start white?
Once the skin is peeled off, the white eggplant has a white flesh whereas the purple eggplant has a greenish hue.
Why are my eggplants not purple?
Eggplants naturally turn yellow/brown when they fully ripen, as purple eggplants are technically underripe fruit. However, fully ripe eggplants are not really edible, so pick them before they turn yellow. Note that some eggplant varieties are naturally yellow when unripe, too.
Are eggplants naturally purple?
Eggplants are purple because the outer skin produces a pigment called nasunin, which is from the anthocyanin family of pigments. It ranges from white to a deep, dark purple, without going into too much red.
Where does the color change in eggplant?
Fruit that has lost its shine and has begun to change color is overripe and most likely bitter. Purple varieties take on a bronze appearance when overripe, while white eggplants begin to turn yellow. Press the fruit with your finger. If the skin springs back, the eggplant is ready for picking.
Are white eggplants rare?
8. Lao White eggplant is rare. Similar is some respects to Easter Egg plant in that it produces fruits that are various shades of white, greenish and yellow as they are growing into a uniform creamy white. Fruits are ball shaped and small at about 1 to 2 inches round.
What kind of eggplant is white?
The inedible white eggplant is a different species of eggplant altogether, which is essentially wild. It is botanically identified as Solanum ovigerum, a separate kind of eggplant although of close resemblance to the Solanum melongena. The plant is cultivated and sold exclusively for ornamental purposes.
How do white eggplant grow?
White eggplants should be grown in full sun or in a part of your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sun each day. The best soil for eggplants should be light, loamy, rich in nutrients, and well-draining, with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
Why do you salt eggplant before cooking?
Salting: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. Today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, though, so it’s not as important as it used to be (if you are frying eggplant, salting will ensure a creamy texture and rich flavor). This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.
Is eggplant good for digestion?
HELPS WITH DIGESTION
The high fiber content in eggplants, which is a crucial element to maintaining a balanced diet, is a great way to improve your gastrointestinal health. This means that when you’ve gotta go, eating eggplant regularly will help everything move along smoothly!
Why are eggplants different colors?
Eggplants are different shades of purple depending on factors such as ripeness. There are also two major varieties of eggplant known as European and Chinese eggplants with the latter being a slightly lighter purple that is also less brownish.
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.
How Big Should white eggplant get?
Cultivar Comparison Table
| Variety | Days to Maturity | Fruit Size & Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Ghostbuster | 72–80 | 6–7 inches long, 4 inches wide; oval |
| Gretel | 50–60 | 3–4 inches; elongated |
| Japanese White Egg | 65 | 2–3 inches; egg-shaped |
| Paloma | 65 | 4–5 inches long, 3 inches wide; bell-shaped |
How can you tell if eggplant is overripe?
When buying an eggplant, the flesh should be firm but give slightly when pressed, then bounce back. If your eggplant is soft to the touch, that’s an indication that it’s beginning to spoil. In addition, if the flesh of the eggplant is slimy, you’ll want to throw it away.
What color is an unripe eggplant?
Eggplants are actually eaten before they turn ripe. That classic, shiny, purple color is the color of an underripe fruit. When eggplants begin to ripen, their skin turns dull and their color changes to a rusty brown or yellow color, depending on the variety.
Is it safe to eat yellow eggplant?
In any event, your eggplants are edible regardless of color, though specimens that are yellow because they are overripe will not have the best taste as would an eggplant picked at the peak of ripeness.
Why do you soak eggplant in water before cooking?
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.