What Is Eggplant Called In China?

qie zi 茄子.
Sweet, buttery smooth, and earthy, Chinese eggplant (qie zi 茄子) is the central ingredient in many Chinese dishes.

What is Chinese eggplant called?

Oriental Charm
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.

Is there a Chinese eggplant?

Chinese eggplant are easily identified by their pale violet skin and slender, cylindrical shape. They have the most delicate flavor of all the market varieties. Their even contours make them ideal for slicing, and because they cook quickly, they’re good in stir-fries and sautés.

Why is it called Chinese eggplant?

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.

Is eggplant popular in China?

China is the top producer (58.55% of world output) and India is second (25.24%), followed by Egypt, Iran and Turkey. More than 4,000,000 acres (1,600,000 ha) are devoted to the cultivation of eggplant in the world.

What is Japanese eggplant called?

There are many varieties of Japanese eggplants, including Hari, Ichiban, Machiaw, Millionaire, and Little Fingers, that come in various shades of pink, green, purple, and black.

What is the difference between eggplant and Chinese eggplant?

China is the world’s top producer and consumer of eggplant, so it’s apt that the Chinese eggplant variety is so distinct. It has a lighter, almost pastel exterior, with a white flesh and sweeter taste that fits its appearance. The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.

How do I buy Chinese eggplant?

Picking Chinese eggplant is the art of picking any eggplant. Look for ones that are firm and have shiny skin, and avoid any blemishes or soft spots. This means that they’ll be young, tender and full of flavor.

What’s the difference between Chinese and Japanese eggplant?

Characterized by their long, narrow shape, both Japanese and Chinese eggplant can be hard to differentiate. Japanese eggplant tends to have a much deeper purple color, while Chinese eggplant is usually lighter, more lavender-purple, and is sometimes even longer.

Should I peel Chinese eggplant?

Chinese eggplant is thin and long, making it very easy to cut into pieces. There’s no need to peel this variety since the skins cook up very quickly. You can cut them however you prefer (round slices, cubes, etc), but traditionally, this type of dish uses eggplant that’s cut into thick matchsticks.

What are small eggplants called?

The baby eggplant, also known as Indian eggplant, fits into the palm of your hand and is an exciting single serve eggplant with a little menu creativity. These small green eggplants are called Thai eggplant, and are perfect in Thai curry dishes.

What countries eat eggplant?

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• Western Africa.
• Algeria.
• Belgium.
• Czech Republic.
• Moldova.
• Nigeria.
• North Macedonia.
• Norway.

What is Chinese eggplant good for?

Nutritional value: Chinese eggplants contain manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. They also have anthocyanins which give the eggplant a deep purple color and are known for its antioxidant properties.

What is American eggplant?

American eggplants are oval with a bulbous flat bottom that narrows towards the calyx and averages 25 centimeters in length and 5-12 centimeters in diameter. The outer skin is glossy, smooth, black-purple, and has a green stem. The inner flesh is cream colored with a spongy-firm texture and there many edible seeds.

What is millionaire eggplant?

‘Millionaires’ early maturity and voluminous amounts of very slender, nearly black fruit which are virtually without seeds outshine other eggplant varieties by far. This attractive, upright grower will provide much satisfaction and truly enrich your vegetable garden.

What does Indian eggplant taste like?

Description/Taste
The inner flesh is firm, crisp, and creamy white with a few, small edible seeds. When cooked, Indian eggplants offer a mild flavor with sweet notes and a creamy texture.

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.

Can you use regular eggplant instead of Chinese eggplant?

In most recipes, the different types of eggplant are interchangeable. If you would like to serve a more delicate eggplant than the common type, use the mild-flavored, excellent Chinese and Japanese varieties.

What are the long skinny eggplants called?

Japanese eggplant
Japanese eggplant are long and thin, with a dark, almost black color and glossy appearance. They get very soft and creamy when cooked, and have an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Should I SALT Chinese eggplant?

In summary, the Chinese eggplant should be treated with salt and vinegar and coated with either egg white or cornflour if you intend to deep-fried the eggplant.

How big are Chinese eggplants?

Chinese eggplant
Chinese eggplants are long and thin, usually around 2 inches (5 cm) wide and 12 inches (30 cm) long. They’re lighter in color than Western eggplants, with lavender skin, although some cultivars can even be pink. Chinese eggplant has white, tender flesh and very few seeds.