There is no consensus about the place of origin of eggplant; the plant species has been described as native to India, where it continues to grow wild, Africa, or South Asia. It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia since prehistory.
Is eggplant native to India?
Eggplants originated in China and India and have been cultivated there for thousands of years. The Spanish Moors introduced the eggplant into southern and Eastern Europe where it became very popular. The early explorers of the New World introduced eggplant into the Americas in the 1500s, but the plant never caught on.
Which country is the aubergine native to?
Previous studies have shown that the aubergine was first domesticated somewhere in China and India. However it is only recently that taxonomists have resolved the status of the wild species that are related to the cultivated aubergine. Many of them are found in the savannahs of Africa.
What is aubergine called in India?
baingan
35: Bt Brinjal in India. Brinjal or baingan, known as eggplant and aubergine in North America and Europe respectively, is a very important common man’s vegetable in India. It is often described as a poor man’s vegetable because it is popular amongst small-scale farmers and low income consumers.
When did eggplant come to India?
Moors Took Eggplant to Europe
Fifty years later, white, ash-colored, and brown varieties were also known in Germany, including round, oblong, pearshaped, and long-fruited kinds. Travelers to India in the 18th century described all of these and also green-fruited and variegated varieties grown by natives there.
Why is aubergine called brinjal in India?
The British got aubergine via the French which, in turn, came from the Arabic al Badinjan. So that’s how the world got brinjal – in various languages as well as the paleobotanical evolution that started from this subcontinent. “The cultivation and use of brinjal (eggplant/aubergine) is of great antiquity.
Is there a difference between eggplant and aubergine?
Two names for one plant. And much like courgette and zucchini, it’s a regional thing. Aubergine is a French word, and it is how Europeans refer to what Americans would typically call an eggplant. We call it eggplant because the original aubergine that was brought to North America by immigrants looked like white eggs.
Why is eggplant not good for you?
Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.
Which country produces the most aubergines?
China
Production by country
| Rank | Country/region | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 35,590,700 |
| 2 | India | 12,680,000 |
| 3 | Egypt | 1,347,230 |
| 4 | Turkey | 822,659 |
What country eats the most eggplant?
China
China (34M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of eggplant consumption, accounting for 67% of total volume.
Is brinjal an Indian name?
Borrowed from Portuguese beringela, from Arabic بَاذِنْجَان (bāḏinjān), from Persian بادنجان (bâdenjân), from Sanskrit वातिगगम (vātiga-gama, “eggplant”).
What is the name of this fruit ??
eggplant, (Solanum melongena), also called aubergine or Guinea squash, tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible fruits.
Is brinjal a Hindi word?
BRINJAL MEANING IN HINDI – EXACT MATCHES
उदाहरण : ब्रिजल भरता भारतकी एक बेनमून सब्जी है.
What is the origin of eggplant?
India
Eggplant is believed to have originated in the Indian center of plant origins, which includes Assam and Burma. There are many entirely different names for it in ancient Sanskrit, Bengali, and Hindustani, indicating its antiquity in India.
How did brinjal come to India?
Most theories suggest that the baingan plant travelled from India to South-East Asia, and then China during the prehistoric or ancient periods. By the time the rest of the world discovered the baingan, we, in South and East Asia, already knew it well.
Who is the King of Vegetables?
The brinjal was given the title of King of Vegetables because of its astonishingly awesome purple covering, and also the juicy and rich nutritional values in them. Eggplant, aubergine, and brinjal are members of the Solanaceae family.
Are aubergines poisonous?
As a member of the nightshade family, aubergine is related to tomatoes and potatoes, and like them its leaves are poisonous.
Why do Brits call eggplant Aubergine?
Aubergine (UK) / Eggplant (US)
The word aubergine, used in the UK, comes from French. The word eggplant, which Americans use, was popular in different parts of Europe because they were more used to seeing small, round, white versions that looked a bit like goose eggs.
Which is healthier eggplant or zucchini?
Zucchini contains almost two times more vitamins compared to eggplant. Zucchini contains eight times more vitamin C and vitamin A; it is richer in vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and vitamin K too. Eggplant contains two times more vitamin E, and it is also richer in vitamins B3 and B5.
Can you eat raw eggplant?
Can You Eat Eggplant Raw? Luckily, the answer is yes! While the leaves and flowers can be toxic, the eggplant itself is safe to consume both raw and cooked, and the compound that some might be sensitive to, solanine, is only toxic when consumed in large quantities.
Why do you soak eggplant before cooking?
Eggplant works like a sponge, soaking up the milk into the flesh of the fruit. The final result is creamy and juicy, and the bitterness is all gone. The quickest way to make your eggplants less bitter is to scoop out and throw away the seeds of the fruit.
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.