




Chinese Eggplant
Inventory, 30 lbs : 1.76
This item was last sold on : 02/06/23
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.
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Uncle Italian | San Diego CA | 619-629-0676 |
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
Wet Stone Winebar and Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-255-2856 |
Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
Harumama Noodles & Buns (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 858-886-9909 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Harumama Teriyaki & Bao | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5737 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Blue Ocean La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0323 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Harumama (Little Italy) | San Diego CA | 619-269-7122 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Wrench and Rodent | Oceanside CA | 760-840-1976 |
Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chinese Eggplant. One

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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.
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Ulam Melayu Enterprise
Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaTS-91 About 111 days ago, 10/19/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 111 days ago, 10/19/22 ![]() ![]()
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Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 143 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 156 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 181 days ago, 8/10/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 195 days ago, 7/27/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 1-559-385-4959 About 202 days ago, 7/20/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno,CA 1-559-385-4959 About 216 days ago, 7/06/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 1-559-385-4959 About 223 days ago, 6/29/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 1-559-385-4959 About 230 days ago, 6/22/22 ![]() ![]() About 233 days ago, 6/19/22 Sharer's comments : Chinese Eggplant from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 234 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 237 days ago, 6/15/22 ![]() ![]()
Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 244 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 468 days ago, 10/27/21 ![]() ![]() About 492 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 496 days ago, 9/29/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 499 days ago, 9/26/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 508 days ago, 9/17/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant from her produce ![]() About 531 days ago, 8/25/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 543 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1929 Hancock Street 619-295-3172 About 566 days ago, 7/21/21 ![]() ![]() About 566 days ago, 7/21/21 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1929 Hancock Street 619-295-3172 About 573 days ago, 7/14/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 591 days ago, 6/26/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 608 days ago, 6/09/21 ![]() ![]() About 614 days ago, 6/03/21 Sharer's comments : Chinese eggplant from Her Produce ![]() ![]()
Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 615 days ago, 6/02/21 |