Classified as a fruit, cooked like a vegetable – Eggplants alike their counterpart tomato are considered as one thing and treated as another. A member of the nighshade family, it is one of the plants which is high in solanine.
While the name “Nightshade” is a debated term, the origin of the same and its reason is still unknown.
The belief that the flowers of the plant grow better at night
OR
could be the reason that the vegetables/fruits associated with the term are high in solanine or other compounds which pose threat to human life when consumed in large quanitites. Another theory suggests the fact that some of the Nightshades are responsibles to cause halluciantions or be used as narcotics.
While the amount of raw egglplants for a food poisoning you need to eat is quite high,
the flowers ( even though they are beautiful ) are a strict “NO” to eat as they are the main source of solanine.
As much as debatable are the chances of anyone getting a food poisoning, the chances of being allergic to eggplants (or solanine in particular), are even low.
Types Of Eggplants
Speaking of debatable topics – Eggplants come in many varities and that makes the vegetable a versatile one to have. Not only is the same known for its preparations in curries, stews, baked variants but the sheer numbers of types it is avaiable makes it hard to choose.
Although the names change according to what people would like to call them, some of the commonly found Eggplants/Aubergines/Brinjals, etc. are as follows
SICILIAN EGGPLANT
Also known as the “graffiti eggplant”, it is a visually appealing variety which although loses its white streaks on being cooked, still is one of the eggplants which can be used in any recipe.
ITALIAN EGGPLANT
While it may look a whole lot like the standard globe eggplant you find at the grocery store, Italian eggplant is distinct. It’s slightly smaller, but still quite large and fat, and the flesh tends to be more tender. Use it in any preparation, but of course it’s wonderful used in Italian dishes like caponata.
JAPANESE/CHINESE EGGPLANT
While the two may look similar, but in reality the Chinese eggplant is thinner & has a lavender color which is lighter as compared to the
comparatively thicker Japanese eggplant which has a darker color & has lesser seeds than the latter. Japanese Eggplants are more softer and sweeter after being cooked.
FAIRY TALE EGGPLANT
This tiny eggplant is easily the cutest one around. This heirloom variety has purple and white stripes and is no bigger than the palm of your hand. They can be prepared in the same way as larger eggplants, but take especially well to grilling since they’re so tender.
WHITE EGGPLANT
There are lots of white varieties out there, but what sets them all apart is, of course, their pure white skin. Inside, however, is the same eggplant flesh we all know and love. Prepare it just like you would any standard eggplant.
As compared to the regular eggplant they are more creamier in taste & less bitter
INDIAN EGGPLANT
Also called baby eggplant, this variety is small and squat with a dark reddish-purple color. You can use it in an Indian preparation like a curry, but it’s also great roasted or stuffed.
THAI EGGPLANT/PEA AUBERGINE
Larger than peas, bursting with flavour and bitterness due to the amount of seeds they contain. Pea Aubergines or Thai Eggplants are the ones which abasorb the delicious Thai Curry richness and provide a balance to the otherwise spicy curry.
Make sure to add a few of the same in your recipes while making Thai Curries
Different Names – Why?
Aubergines or Eggplants or Brinjal or well any other “Native names”, the fruit has been called and known by many names over the years . While the modern names have been a derivation of the Arabic word “bāḏinjān“, some of the other names are
Eggplant contains numerous miniature seed. They have bitter taste due to high content of nicotine (substance that belongs to the group of alkaloids). Eggplant contains the highest level of nicotine compared to other edible plants. Luckily, consumption of eggplant does not produce harmful effect on the human health
(20 pounds of eggplant contains same amount of nicotine as one cigarette)
Benefits Of Eggplants
While the fact that all fruits and vegetables are good for you and there should always be a good amount of green leafy vegetables in your diet,nightshades are just as important. The numeruous benefits that eggplants offer to a person are as follows:
- A GREAT SOURCE OF VITAMINS & MINERALS – The vitamin & mineral content of eggplants is quite extensive. They’re a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, fiber, folic acid, potassium, and more!
- HELPS WITH DIGESTION – A higher fiber content leads to a better gut! Considered as the vegetable which promotes your gastrointestinal tract, eggplants are a good way to have a good morning!
- IMPROVES HEART HEALTH – Fiber not only lets you have a good moning by having a good gut but alsi help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your body!
- IMPROVES BONE HEALTH – Iron and calcium are the major components which make your bones stronger , a good serving of aurbergine every now & then helps maintain the bones!
- PREVENTS ANEMIA – Iron not only helps make your bones strong but allows you to have the energy to get up and be running all day. Iron in eggplants makes sure that you stay energised all day!
A little information on this berry/fruit/vegetable may just help you understand what we eat and how it benfits us day in, day out!
Some recipes of the ingredient at avaialable on our “Recipes” Page . Head on over to savour the flavor of the same.
SeQuential Eaters! 
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