




Chinese Eggplant
Inventory, 30 lbs : 3.08
This item was last sold on : 02/02/23
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.
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Harumama (Little Italy) | San Diego CA | 619-269-7122 |
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 858-886-9909 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Wrench and Rodent | Oceanside CA | 760-840-1976 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Uncle Italian | San Diego CA | 619-629-0676 |
Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
Wet Stone Winebar and Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-255-2856 |
Open Gym-White Rice Bodega | San Diego CA | 619-289-9182 |
Harumama Teriyaki & Bao | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5737 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
Blue Ocean La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0323 |
Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chinese Eggplant. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Chinese Eggplant using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
![]() About 55 days ago, 12/10/22 ![]() About 66 days ago, 11/29/22 Sharer's comments : terong ungu ![]() ![]()
Ulam Melayu Enterprise
Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaTS-91 About 107 days ago, 10/19/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 107 days ago, 10/19/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 139 days ago, 9/17/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 152 days ago, 9/04/22 Sharer's comments : Chinese Eggplant from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno ,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 178 days ago, 8/10/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 191 days ago, 7/27/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 1-559-385-4959 About 198 days ago, 7/20/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 212 days ago, 7/06/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 1-559-385-4959 About 219 days ago, 6/29/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 1-559-385-4959 About 226 days ago, 6/22/22 ![]() ![]() About 229 days ago, 6/19/22 Sharer's comments : Chinese Eggplant from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 230 days ago, 6/18/22 Sharer's comments : Chinese Eggplant from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 233 days ago, 6/15/22 ![]() ![]()
Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 240 days ago, 6/08/22 Sharer's comments : Chinese Eggplant from Her Produce ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-559-385-4959 About 464 days ago, 10/27/21 ![]() ![]() About 488 days ago, 10/03/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
Chao Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-559-385-4959 About 492 days ago, 9/29/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 495 days ago, 9/26/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 504 days ago, 9/17/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant from her produce ![]() About 527 days ago, 8/25/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 539 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1929 Hancock Street 619-295-3172 About 562 days ago, 7/21/21 ![]() ![]() About 562 days ago, 7/21/21 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1929 Hancock Street 619-295-3172 About 569 days ago, 7/14/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 587 days ago, 6/26/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 604 days ago, 6/09/21 ![]() ![]() About 610 days ago, 6/03/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant from Her Produce ![]() ![]()
Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 611 days ago, 6/02/21 |