Are Thai Eggplants Bitter?

There are many varieties of aubergines/eggplants that are used in Thai cuisine; the most common ones are Thai green aubergines (about the size of a golf ball) and the pea aubergines (about the size of grapes). They are quite bitter and are used most commonly in green and red curries.

What does Thai eggplant taste like?

The Thai eggplant is very unique with a crunchy texture and a slightly bitter taste. The taste turns stronger when it matures more. In its raw form Thai eggplant is very neutral. It develops an earthy scent when cooked.

Why does my eggplant taste bitter?

Old or overripe eggplants or those that are off color or sit out for a while after being harvested are more likely to exhibit a bitter flavor. Therefore, choose eggplants that are heavy, shiny and firm and avoid eggplants that are off-colored and/or do not exhibit a bright, glossy color.

Does Thai eggplant taste like regular eggplant?

These small eggplant orbs common in Thailand aren’t always green—they come in purple and white, too—but they definitely have a tendency to be more bitter than other types of eggplants. To minimize this, be sure to remove their seeds before cooking.

How do you get rid of the bitterness in eggplant?

Salt it.
Regardless, sprinkling a good amount of salt over eggplant slices or cubes before they’re cooked does draw out some of its moisture and lessens the bitterness. Let them sit for about an hour and then lightly rinse some of the salt off before cooking.

Should I peel Thai eggplant?

There is no need to peel the skin from Thai Eggplant as it will soften with cooking. Slicing, salting, soaking and draining, while necessary for reducing the bitterness in common eggplant, is not needed for Thai Eggplant. Simply slice and cook.

Is Thai eggplant good?

Thai eggplants are also rich in dietary nutrients like potassium, antioxidants, manganese, and fiber. With calories as low as 25 per serving, Thai eggplant is ideal for those watching their diet. It can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure, streamline the digestive system, and lower parasitic infections.

Is bitter eggplant toxic?

The good news is that you can eat bitter eggplant. It’s safe to eat them but… do you really want to? Bitter eggplants are usually overripe, old, or quite possibly starting to rot. So although it is okay to eat them, they won’t taste very good.

Can bitter eggplant make you sick?

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 is my Baba Ganoush bitter?

As the salt rests for about a half an hour, osmosis draws the water from the eggplant, taking the bitterness along with it. Another option to stave off bitterness is to simply remove the skins altogether. The latter is the route that I chose for my baba ganoush.

Do you remove seeds from Thai eggplant?

Can you eat the seeds? Yes, you can. Thai eggplant have a lot of seeds in them and it can be difficult to remove them while still retaining the meat. When the fruit is less mature, the seeds are lighter in color and more tender.

How do you know when Thai eggplant is ripe?

When ripened, some turn yellow. With the ripe ones, the seeds are hard to chew. Most people don’t eat the seed. The outer flesh is crunchy and good with chili sauces.

Does salting eggplant remove bitterness?

In The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, Deborah Madison recommends salting slices or cubes for 30 minutes to remove bitterness, 60 or more to achieve better fried eggplant.

Why do you soak eggplant in water 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.

Should you soak eggplant before cooking?

I tend to soak the slices in a bowl of water with a couple of tablespoon of salt for about 30-45 minutes. It doesn’t have to do with bitterness, but I find that in doing this, the fried eggplant turns out less greasy,” Jenkins says.

How big do Thai eggplants get?

between 1 to 5 feet
Like many other eggplant varieties, Thai eggplant is a bushy plant with thick, woody stems. The leaves are large, lobed, green to grayish in color. Mature Thai eggplant trees can grow between 1 to 5 feet in height. Eggplants are often grown as annuals.

Can you freeze Thai eggplant?

While all eggplants become more watery after freezing, some types freeze better than others. Black varieties usually hold up better after freezing than Chinese and Thai eggplants.

What can I use instead of Thai eggplant?

You can use Mediterranean-style (purple) aubergine instead of the green Thai ones in most dishes, as long as it’s not one that uses them raw. You’ll lose the authentic bitterness but the texture is similar. Kale and spring greens can be cooked the same way as morning glory.

Is Thai eggplant a fruit?

Of the many varietals, Thai green eggplant is the most popular and the one most likely found at specialty Asian markets. These little fruits are the size of golf balls and are prized for use in Thai curry dishes.

When should you not eat eggplant?

8 Tips to tell if eggplant has gone bad

1. Eggplant stopped being firm and starts getting soft.
2. It is not so nicely shiny any more.
3. The skin starts looking slightly shriveled’
4. When cut, your eggplant is slightly slimy.
5. The flesh, when cut, is turning brown.
6. The seeds are slimy.
7. There are rotting spots on the fruit.

How do you remove solanine from eggplant?

SALTING: Slice the eggplant, then sprinkle salt (coarse salt is best because less is absorbed) onto one side. Leave it for 30 minutes, to allow the solanine (a chemical found in the flesh) to leach out, and brush off with a damp cloth.