There are times when we see fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers in a certain way. But the truth is that they can be different thanks to the varieties. In the case of eggplants, when you think about it, you think of a somewhat elongated and fleshy shape at the base and purple in color. Corn, Did you know that there are different kinds of eggplant?
If you like them then this subject interests you because we are going to tell you about them other lesser known varieties on the market, but they exist. So, you might be encouraged to try one of them.
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what is eggplant
Before talking about the types of eggplant, let’s learn a little more about this vegetable. Its scientific name is Solanum melongena and it is from the same family as tomatoes, potatoes or peppers.
Is native to Asia, more precisely from the most tropical and subtropical zone and it is known that it was cultivated at least since 800 BC. Although today it is cultivated in many countries, including Spain, those with the highest production are those of China and India.
Physically, eggplant is characterized by being a fleshy berry that can have different shapes (not only the elongated ones that we know), as well as different colors, from white, purple, purple, black… The weight of each one varies between 200 and 300 grams.
How many types of eggplants are there in the world
To answer this question the only number we can say is actually a word: several. And it is known that there are many types of eggplant, but there is no specific and complete list of all.
What exists is a classification that groups them according to their form. So we can find:
elongated eggplants
They are characterized by a very long and thin shape. In almost all of them you can see a small curvature.
They are dark purple in color and weigh between 150 and 250 grams. They can be white, striped with purple and white, striped with green, yellow, red or green. There may even be different shades.
They are not very well known in the market and in fact it is hard to believe that they are really eggplants.
round
They can also be oval and many do not have a perfect round shape. Are they weigh 300-400 grams, although there are times when they can even be twice as heavy.
As for their colors, the vast majority of them are dark purple or black.
Intermediate
In this case, it is vegetables that they are neither elongated nor rounded or oval but have an “interesting” shape. In fact, they are the ones you see on the market, dark purple, almost black, and they are long (but not much) and chubby in one place, thinner in another.
There is a fourth classification in which striped or striped eggplants are included, that is, those that have spots or lines of a different color. For example purple and white, green and white eggplants, etc.
They weigh up to 300 grams and are more difficult to grow as they take longer. But they produce a lot of vegetables.
They are the ones that are sometimes found in the markets, with a shape practically identical to the usual ones.
Types of Eggplant You Should Know
Now that you know the classification and the fact that there are many types of eggplant, we do not want to leave the topic without telling you about some lesser known but very curious varieties. These are:
white eggplant
have you ever seen one white eggplant? Well yes, it exists. In fact, they are grown in Bages, Barcelona, and they are completely white, smooth and oval.
They have a much sweeter flavor than traditional ones and are grown in less time (so they come out white).
indian eggplant
Another curious eggplant is the Hindu. They are between purple and violet but it is striking because They look like chubby grapes, much larger in size.
Nightshade
As we have already told you, there are elongated eggplants and this variety can specifically reach 22-24 centimeters in length. About 6 cm wide, it is purple or orange, sometimes streaked with white.
Eggplant from Murcia
It is characterized by its oval shape. Moreover, unlike other types of eggplant, it is pale green and whose calyx covers almost the entire vegetable.
Black circle
As its name suggests, eggplant is black and round, and can reach 300 to 600 grams each. It is dark purple, practically black.
Why does he stand out? Because he has a very active production but, above all, because It’s one of the biggest you’ll find.
japanese eggplant
These, unlike the previous ones, they are actually very small, like some Indians. However, they are so tender, including the skin, that they are eaten.
As for their color, they are usually dark purple.
Eggplant Rose Bianca
If you’re one of those who don’t like eggplants because they’re bitter or have a strong taste, you’ll make up for it. And it is that it has a soft pulp and nothing bitter, quite the contrary.
Its name is due to the color it has. Is small, rounded and almost pinkish purple in color with white reflections. In fact, if you see it, it won’t look like an eggplant and it’s very tasty.
Palermitan eggplant
Also called Tunisian, it is a rounded black vegetable. This color is much more intense than in other varieties of eggplant.
sweet
Yes, do not be surprised by this name because it is his. It is characterized by being black or very dark purple with a white neck. It is rounded and slightly oval.
Tour of Florence
It is, as its name suggests, round and slightly acidic. Its color tends to be light purple or light purple.
We could tell you much longer about types of eggplant, because there are so many varieties that if you’re curious, you’ll want to try them all. These are among the best known, and surely there are some that few know or have tried in their lives. Did you eat “rare”? Tell us.