Chinese Eggplant

Inventory, 30 lbs : 23.63
This item was last sold on : 05/30/23

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• 35 ShareMarket®

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Description/Taste

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. The inner flesh is cotton white, semi-firm, and nearly seedless. Chinese eggplants have a mild and sweet flavor without the bitterness associated with eggplant.

Seasons/Availability

Chinese eggplant is available year-round.

Current Facts

Chinese eggplant, botanically classified as Solanum melongena, is the name given to hundreds of eggplant varieties that are considered native to or cultivated throughout China and Asia. Also known as Oriental Charm and Pingtung Long, Chinese eggplant inherently has fewer seeds than Western eggplant varieties making them less bitter and meatier. Chinese eggplants are popularly used in stir-fries and will hold its shape when cooked.

Nutritional Value

Chinese eggplants contain rich levels of anthocyanins, a pigment not only responsible for the fruit's deep purple skin coloring but also known for its antioxidant properties. It also contains some manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6.

Applications

Chinese eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as braising, stir-frying, sautéing, and grilling. Their tender flesh cooks quicker than most eggplant varieties, and its flavor and texture will be at its peak when baked. Stir-frying Chinese eggplant is the most popular preparation method as the eggplant has a meaty and flavorful texture. Chinese eggplant holds up well to spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. Complimentary ingredients include cumin, garlic, ginger, cilantro, fermented beans, chilies, soy sauce, vinegar, mushrooms, onions, sesame oil, chicken, pork, chickpeas, lentils, hardy greens, and summer vegetables such as tomatoes and squashes. Chinese eggplant will keep up to one week when stored in a cool and dry place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In addition to its culinary attributes, eggplant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The fruits, roots, and leaves of the Chinese eggplant are used to help reduce symptoms in an array of ailments such as toothaches, abscesses, wounds and sores, fever, and intestinal disorders.

Geography/History

Chinese eggplant varieties have historically been referred to as having Indo-Burma and Chinese origins, but there is also evidence as well of early cultivation occurring in India. Eggplant is documented in several botanical manuscripts such as the Qimi Yiaoshu written during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and The Atlas of Plants in Southern China written during the Western Jin Dynasty. Today Chinese eggplant is widely available in farmers markets and specialty grocers in Asia, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Convention Center Shell	San Diego CA	619-954-3063
Open Gym-White Rice Bodega	San Diego CA	619-289-9182
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co.	San Diego CA	619-368-3705
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	858-886-9909
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Continental Catering Inc	La Mesa CA	907-738-9264
Red Door Friends	San Diego CA	619-295-6000
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Mister A's	San Diego CA	619-239-1377
Fairmont Grand Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-314-1975
The Lion Share	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Sovereign Thai Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-887-2000
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef	San Diego CA	347-277-1958
Dija Mara 2021	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376

the other 16...

Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Uncle Italian	San Diego CA	619-629-0676
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Under Belly-Uptown	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Harumama (Little Italy)	San Diego CA	619-269-7122
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
The Wild Thyme Company	San Diego CA	858-527-0226
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Carlsbad)	Carlsbad CA	760-637-5737
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Blue Ocean La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-999-0323
Siamo Napoli	San Diego CA	619-300-4810

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Chinese Eggplant. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Cookbook Archaeology		Pickled Eggplant
Just Hungry		Country-Style Stewed Eggplant
Cooking LSL		Grilled Eggplant Soba Noodles
China Sichuan Food		Chinese Eggplants with Minced Pork
The Woks Of Life		Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
I Heart Umami		Paleo Asian Taco Meal Prep Bowls
Lazy Cat Kitchen		Vegan Katsu Curry
The Bitten Word		Chinese-Style Eggplant
Kitch Me		Hot and Sour Chinese Eggplant
Just One Cookbook		Shibazuke Pickles

the other 15...

Chocolate Covered Katie		Kung Pao Eggplant
Steamy Kitchen		Chinese Eggplant with Spicy Garlic Sauce
Appetite for China		Sichuan Eggplant
Delightful-Delicious-Delovely		Spicy Vegan Chinese Eggplant
The Woks Of Life		Chinese Stuffed Eggplant
Daily Cooking Quest		Terong Kecap Pedas - Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce Eggplant
Maangchi		Eggplant Side Dish
The Iron You		Spicy Vegan Chinese Eggplant
Viet World Kitchen		Seared Snap Peas, Eggplant and Fermented Tofu
Yay For Food		Vegetarian Pad See Ew with Tofu and Chinese Eggplant
Omnivores Cookbook		Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
I Am A Food Blog		Oven-Roasted Eggplant with Caramelized Miso
Marta's Plants		Chinese Red Eggplant Hot Dogs with Mustard...
Use Real Butter		Fish Flavored Chinese Eggplant
Super Golden Bakes		Chinese Aubergine Stir Fry with Prawns and Green Peppers

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