Chinese Eggplant

Inventory, 30 lbs : 11.75
This item was last sold on : 06/06/23

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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.

Red Door Friends	San Diego CA	619-295-6000
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
The Wild Thyme Company	San Diego CA	858-527-0226
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Convention Center Shell	San Diego CA	619-954-3063
Avant	San Diego CA	858-675-8505
Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Uncle Italian	San Diego CA	619-629-0676
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Mister A's	San Diego CA	619-239-1377
Sovereign Thai Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-887-2000
Blue Ocean La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-999-0323
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	858-886-9909
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Dija Mara 2021	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601

the other 15...

Harumama (Little Italy)	San Diego CA	619-269-7122
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Carlsbad)	Carlsbad CA	760-637-5737
Bellamy's Restaurant	Escondido CA	760-747-5000
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Marriott Marina Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-234-1500 x6113
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
The Lion Share	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Open Gym-White Rice Bodega	San Diego CA	619-289-9182
Cesarina	San Diego CA	619-226-6222
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co.	San Diego CA	619-368-3705
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
Under Belly-Uptown	San Diego CA	619-269-4626

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Chinese Eggplant. One

is easiest, three is harder.

I Am A Food Blog		Oven-Roasted Eggplant with Caramelized Miso
Chocolate Covered Katie		Kung Pao Eggplant
The Bitten Word		Chinese-Style Eggplant
Just One Cookbook		Shibazuke Pickles
The Woks Of Life		Chinese Stuffed Eggplant
Cookbook Archaeology		Pickled Eggplant
Maangchi		Eggplant Side Dish
Omnivores Cookbook		Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
The Woks Of Life		Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Use Real Butter		Fish Flavored Chinese Eggplant

the other 15...

Yay For Food		Vegetarian Pad See Ew with Tofu and Chinese Eggplant
China Sichuan Food		Chinese Eggplants with Minced Pork
Daily Cooking Quest		Terong Kecap Pedas - Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce Eggplant
Just Hungry		Country-Style Stewed Eggplant
I Heart Umami		Paleo Asian Taco Meal Prep Bowls
Lazy Cat Kitchen		Vegan Katsu Curry
Steamy Kitchen		Chinese Eggplant with Spicy Garlic Sauce
Appetite for China		Sichuan Eggplant
Kitch Me		Hot and Sour Chinese Eggplant
Super Golden Bakes		Chinese Aubergine Stir Fry with Prawns and Green Peppers
Delightful-Delicious-Delovely		Spicy Vegan Chinese Eggplant
Marta's Plants		Chinese Red Eggplant Hot Dogs with Mustard...
Cooking LSL		Grilled Eggplant Soba Noodles
The Iron You		Spicy Vegan Chinese Eggplant
Viet World Kitchen		Seared Snap Peas, Eggplant and Fermented Tofu

Recently Shared

People have shared Chinese Eggplant using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

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