Eggplant Varieties
(Solanum melongena)
Eggplant is a popular solanaceous garden vegetable grown for its edible fruit. There are many varieties of this strong upright plant. Some produce fruits that are long and thin, some produce round fruits, and others large bell shaped fruit. The varieties range in color from white to purple to black. Eggplant is best when harvested young before the seeds begin to mature. It is cooked and eaten by itself or in savory dishes.
Florida Market
This variety produces high yields of large, glossy purple fruit on upright plants. 78-90 days to maturity. Fruit is 15 cm by 25 cm and is tear drop shaped. It is heat and disease resistant.
Jilo
A Brazilian variety of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum). It is a large woody plant that produces fist-sized fruits that are green and then turn red when mature. Traditionally eaten green. 100 days to harvest.
Long White
This variety was found in Indonesia and has been a staple eggplant at ECHO since 1987. The fruits are 20-25 cm long and solid white. They are normally consumed when white, ripe, and immature. The fruit on the plant will fade to yellow when completely mature for seed.
Pingtung Long
A long, slender oriental variety that is resistant to many diseases and a favorite at ECHO. The fruit is purple with white stripes, 20 cm long, and 3.5 cm in diameter. 70 days to harvest. Normally consumed when immature. The fruit on the plant will fade to a brownish color when completely mature for seed.
Rosa Bianca
A small, 10-15 cm round eggplant with pale purple skin. Delicate flavor without bitterness. It was a top performer in an ECHO variety trial and matures in 80-90 days.
Yellow
This variety is very productive in hot humid weather. The fruit is harvested for green for eating but will turn yellow on the plant when mature for seed. It has proven productive at ECHO even when affected by nematodes.
Mae Tha Crispy Green
Fruit is 2-3 cm in diameter and crispy. Eaten raw as vegetable, in salads or with spices like chili paste.
Mae Tha Small White
A strong variety and prolific producer. Crunchy texture. In Thailand, it is often eaten raw with chili paste.
Crispy Purple
Small local eggplant light purple in color. Often used for eating with chili paste.
Tung Kwang Tong
Deep purple in color and fleshy meat; 20 cm (8 in) long and 28 cm (11 in) round
Nakornsritmaraj
Has few seeds located in bottom half of fruit, productive, about 10in long. Color is dark and light purple with white stripes.
Phupan
Giant white fruit around 800g
Burmese Bitter
Color is green and red, with bumpy ridges. Flavor is bitter and often eaten with chili paste.
Chachoengsao
This variety is easy to grow in all tropical seasons. The fruit has a round shape with some stripes and a crispy taste. It is suitable for the fresh market and many recipes. Harvest time is 45 days from transplant.
Naga
Perennial, producing many large fruits all-year round. Plant in cold season. Fruit is edible while young.
Black Beauty
An heirloom variety that produces large, tasty blackish-purple eggplant. Later maturing at 90 days to harvest. Lower yielding than other varieties but high weight per fruit. Plants may require staking.
Chiang Rai Bitter
Egg-shaped fruit. Green when immature; orange-red when mature.
Extra Long Purple
Chang Chieh Tzu
Foo Chow Round
Lao Lavender
Long Purple
Long Tom
Taiwan Long
Kashmiri Brinjal
Buriram Crispy
Small, light green, crispy fruit. Eaten raw with chili paste. Strong, prolific producer.