Discoloration and Other Eggplant Problems If you have a purple eggplant turning white or developing a pale brown patch, that can be caused by sunscald. Eggplants are a heat-loving plant but direct sunlight can damage the fruit, causing brown or pale patches where the skin becomes leathery.
Why did my eggplant turn white?
Read more about when to plant eggplant. If there are white, powdery spots on the leaves of your eggplants, your plant may have powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common disease which affects a wide variety of vegetable crops including eggplant, peppers and tomatoes, all in the nightshade family.
Why are my eggplant losing color?
Fruit that has lost its shine and has begun to change color is overripe and most likely bitter. Purple varieties take on a bronze appearance when overripe, while white eggplants begin to turn yellow. Press the fruit with your finger. If the skin springs back, the eggplant is ready for picking.
Why is my eggplant not purple?
Eggplants naturally turn yellow/brown when they fully ripen, as purple eggplants are technically underripe fruit. However, fully ripe eggplants are not really edible, so pick them before they turn yellow.
Is eggplant white before it turns purple?
Once the skin is peeled off, the white eggplant has a white flesh whereas the purple eggplant has a greenish hue. When comparing the size, the white eggplant is smaller to purple eggplant. Unlike the purple eggplant, the white ones come less bitter, denser and creamier.
Is white eggplant edible?
White eggplants are best suited for cooked applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, deep-frying, grilling, and baking. Their skins are firmer than purple varieties and should be peeled before cooking. They can be sliced and grilled, used in stir-fries or sautéed with other vegetables as a side dish.
How do you know when an eggplant goes bad?
When buying an eggplant, the flesh should be firm but give slightly when pressed, then bounce back. If your eggplant is soft to the touch, that’s an indication that it’s beginning to spoil. In addition, if the flesh of the eggplant is slimy, you’ll want to throw it away.
Why are my eggplants turning GREY?
Fusarium wilt or eggplant yellows are a fungal disease which attacks plant roots and spreads into the plant’s vascular system. Plant in well-drained soil. Rotate crops. Remove and destroy infected plants; older plants may be harvested and then uprooted and thrown away.
Why are my purple eggplants turning yellow?
Light colored eggplants are prone to yellowing when they’re approaching an over-ripe state. If this color is appearing on your larger eggplants, but sparing the smaller ones, try harvesting the fruits earlier.
Do eggplants continue to ripen after picking?
You can ripen eggplants after harvesting, but results vary, depending on the problem. Ripen them on the counter at room temperature. It helps to put the eggplants in a paper bag where they should ripen within a few days.
Why are my purple eggplants turning green?
Answer #1 · Gardenality.com’s Answer · Hi Laura – A little green is typical for the deep purple eggplants, particularly around the area where the stem meets the fruit. Sometimes the fruit will start out deep purple and change to green. This might be an indicator that the fruit is overmature. If so, it will be bitter.
Why did my purple eggplant turn green?
Overripe Eggplants Change Color
Another reason your eggplants can turn green is if they’re left on the vine too long. When they become mature, the eggplants change from deep purple to bronze colored. While this is happening, they can go through a stage when they’re a dull, olive green color.
What do white eggplants taste like?
When it comes to white eggplant, Specialty Produce describes the flavor as “fruity and mild” when raw. Cooked white eggplant has a “warm, mellow” taste. Though you don’t always have to peel a purple eggplant, you should peel a white eggplant before cooking because the skin is a bit thicker.
Is white eggplant the same as purple?
Difference between White & Purple Eggplants
Flesh: white eggplants have white creamy color flesh whereas the flesh of purples ones have a greenish hue. Taste: in terms of taste, white eggplants are less bitter, creamier and denser. Their flavor is a bit more delicate and these differences are quite subtle.
How do you take care of white eggplant?
Full bright sun, at least six hours per day, and consistent moisture is important for growing healthy eggplants. Keep the soil moist with deep, slow waterings weekly or more often during dry weather. Eggplant plants need about 1 inch of water per week, but if the soil feels dry and the weather is hot, add more water.
What can I do with overripe eggplant?
25 Recipes for Overripe Eggplant
- Grilled Eggplant. This eggplant recipe is the perfect example of how to make the most of the abundant summer produce.
- Stuffed Eggplant Rolls.
- Eggplant-Feta Fritters.
- Grilled Eggplant and Tomatoes.
- Roasted Eggplant Fries with Herbs and Tomatoes.
What does good eggplant look like?
Look for a smooth, shiny eggplant. Dull skin indicates that the fruit is beyond good eating as it is turning bitter. Eggplant varieties typically retailed in the United States have a deep, rich purple-black color, which should be even with no streaking.
How often do you water eggplant plants?
Eggplant also needs consistent water, at least 1 inch per week. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots. Weather and soil type, of course, will affect water demand.
How do you revive eggplant?
If your eggplants have been overwatered, the best thing to do is to let them dry out. Not completely, of course, but give them some time to recover without having waterlogged roots. As long as it hasn’t progressed to root rot, this will help.
Is it safe to eat yellow eggplant?
In any event, your eggplants are edible regardless of color, though specimens that are yellow because they are overripe will not have the best taste as would an eggplant picked at the peak of ripeness.
What causes eggplants to turn yellow?
When the weather gets hot, eggplants can prematurely turn yellow due to sun overexposure. Try using a shade cloth to protect those tender eggplants from sunburn, but don’t forget to watch them carefully so you don’t miss out! As you’ve discovered, some summer vegetables can overwinter in milder climates.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.