Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Japanese Eggplant
Inventory, 10 lbs : 21.55
This item was last sold on : 07/05/22
Description/Taste
Japanese eggplants are elongated and slender, averaging 20 to 25 centimeters in length, and have an oblong to cylindrical shape, tapering slightly at the ends. The eggplants may appear curved or straight and are capped with a green or dark purple stem, depending on the variety. The skin is thin, smooth, glossy, and delicate, easily damaged, and ranges in color from royal purple to dark purple, almost black. Underneath the surface, the cream-colored flesh is tinged with green and is nearly seedless with a dense, firm, and spongy texture. Japanese eggplants should feel heavy for their size and appear relatively unblemished for the best quality. The eggplants must be cooked before consumption and develop a soft, tender, and creamy consistency, readily absorbing sauces, spices, and aromatics. Japanese eggplants also have a sweet and mild flavor with subtle vegetal, earthy undertones.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese eggplants are available year-round, with a peak season in the summer through fall.
Current Facts
Japanese eggplants, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, are slender, purple-hued varieties belonging to the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. The name Japanese eggplant is used as a general descriptor for many different varieties of eggplants grown in Japan. Millionaire and Orient Express are the most common cultivars, but other varieties include Konasu, Kurume, Shoya Long, and Mangan. Japanese eggplants are also found in several shapes, from elongated and slender to oval with a tapered, bulbous appearance. Despite this variability, most eggplants labeled as Japanese in markets will be the dark purple cultivars with a long, slender, and tapered appearance. In the modern-day, Japanese eggplants are one of the most popular culinary ingredients fostir-fries and side dishes in Japan, and the variety is highly valued for its nearly seedless flesh, purple-coloring, and mild flavor. Beyond culinary uses, the eggplant’s unusual coloring has inspired nasu-kon, or eggplant blue, a color used for packaing, home décor, and art projects.
Nutritional Value
Japanese eggplants are a good source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system while reducing inflammation and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. The eggplants also provide potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, folate to promote the growth of red blood cells, manganese to develop connective tissue, and other amounts of B vitamins, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and vitamin K. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Japanese eggplants contain nasunin, a type of anthocyanin found in the purple skin that contributes antioxidant-like properties to protect the cells against free radical damage. The eggplants are also seen as a cooling culinary ingredient and are paired with warm, spicy flavorings to balance the body.
Applications
Japanese eggplants have a mild, sweet flavor well suited for cooked applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, and baking. The eggplant has thin skin that is left on in the cooking process, and the flesh has a porous nature, readily absorbing accompanying flavors. Japanese eggplant also retains its purple-hued skin, adding vibrant colors to stir-fries or roasted side dishes. The eggplant is popularly grilled to develop a smoky flavor, or grilled slices are tossed into salads for enhanced depth of flavor. In addition to grilling, Japanese eggplant can be roasted with spices as a side dish, mixed into dishes as a meat substitute, pureed into a dip, or incorporated into curries. The eggplant can also be chopped or sliced in half, braised in savory-sweet, rich sauces, or pickled for extended use and eaten as a tangy snack. In Japan, eggplants are commonly used in nasu dengaku, Japanese eggplant traditionally grilled and coated in a rich miso glaze. The eggplants are also deep-fried and served in a soy sauce broth in nasu agebitashi. Japanese eggplants pair well with aromatics including ginger, scallions, and garlic, herbs such as basil, cilantro, and mint, liquids such as vinegar, soy sauce, miso, and sake, sesame seeds, cucumber, mushrooms, meats including pork, poultry, lamb, and beef, fish, citrus, chile peppers, peanuts, and honey. Whole, unwashed Japanese eggplant will keep up to one week when stored in a cool and dry place. The eggplant can also be wrapped in paper towels or a per bag and stored in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer, staying fresh for 3 to 7 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Eggplants symbolize good luck in Japan and are primarily associated with New Year traditions. Hatsuyume, or the first dream of the year, is a superstition believed to predict the year to come. If the dreamer has a dream filled with auspicious symb future year will be blessed with luck, health, and fortune. A Japanese proverb lists the main symbols of good luck, including “Ichi Fuji, Ni Taka, San Nasubi,” translating to “Mt Fuji, hawk, and eggplant.” This tradition dates back to the earlydo period, and there are two main theories as to how eggplants became a symbol of good luck. One theory points to the high price point of eggplants during the Edo period and the famous Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu’s fondness of the eggplant. The otherstems from the sound of the word eggplant in Japanese. The Japanese word for eggplant is “nasu,” which sounds similar to the word “to accomplish,” leading many Japanese traditionalists to believe that dreaming about eggplants will bring achievements and success in the year to come.
Geography/History
Eggplants are native to a broad region spanning across India, China, and Southeast Asia, growing wild and cultivated for thousands of years. There were many different eggplant varieties bred over time to showcase improved flavors, textures, and appearances, and several Chinese eggplant varieties were spread to Japan sometime before the 8th century. Once introduced, eggplants were extensively bred in Japan to create sweeter varieties with thin skin, spongy flesh, and smooth, sleek appearances. Eggplant production in Japan has spanned more than twelve centuries and is the third most important vegetable cultivated in the country. The dark-purple eggplants were also planted in gardens worldwide, where they are grown as a specialty cultivar to meet the increing demand for exotic produce. Today Japanese eggplants are found at farmer’s markets, grocers, distributors, and home gardens in Asia, Europe, the United States, Australia, and South America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
| Weapon MO8 | San Diego CA | 619-883-8525 |
| The Cork and Craft | San Diego CA | 858-618-2463 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Hotel Palomar-Salt Box Front Desk | San Diego CA | 619-515-3003 |
| Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| La Clochette Du Coin-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 619-402-7911 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Village Vino | San Diego CA | 619-546-8466 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Full Moon | San Diego CA | 619-233-3711 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 248-977-7627 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Japanese Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
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Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 12 days ago, 6/25/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 17 days ago, 6/19/22 Sharer's comments : Japanese Eggplant from Fresno Evergreen 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 22 days ago, 6/15/22 
Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Gilbert and Lee Farms
Near Coronado, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 238 days ago, 11/10/21 
Leucadia Farmer's Market
Maciel Family Farm
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesBonsall, CA About 262 days ago, 10/17/21 
Super Indo Depok Town Center
Near Depok, Jawa Barat, IndonesiaAbout 308 days ago, 9/01/21 Sharer's comments : japanese eggplant 
Coronado Farmers Market
Yasukochi Family Farm
Near Coronado, California, United StatesOceanside, CA About 323 days ago, 8/17/21 
Mar Vista Farmers Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 395 days ago, 6/06/21 |
