Chinese Eggplant
Estimated Inventory, 30 lbs : 8.76
This item was last sold on : 12/20/24
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.
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Wilmas Carousel | San Diego CA | 858-355-9218 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Gold Finch | San Diego CA | 619-804-2051 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Leila | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Claytons Bakery & Bistro | Coronado CA | 619-435-5425 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| Rosewood Social | San Juan Capistrano CA | 669-243-8403 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chinese Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.
