The eggplant, also known as Brinjal, is a delicate, tropical perennial plant that is commonly grown as a tender or half-hardy annual in temperate climates. The stem is frequently spiky. The flowers range in color from white to purple, with a five-lobed corolla and golden stamens. Some typical varieties include egg-shaped, glossy, purple fruit with white flesh and a spongy, “meaty” texture. Other varieties are white and have a longer form. When the fruit is cut open, the cut surface of the flesh quickly becomes brown (oxidation).
Eggplant grows 40 to 150 cm (1 ft 4 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall, with big, coarsely lobed leaves 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in) long and 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) wide. Semiwild varieties can grow much larger, up to 225 cm (7 ft 5 in), with enormous leaves up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) wide. The fruit is less than 3 cm (1+14) in diameter on wild plants; 30 cm (12 in) or more in length is possible on cultivated forms for long, thin varieties or the enormous fat purple ones popular in the West.
The fruit, which is botanically classed as a berry, contains countless small, soft, edible seeds that taste bitter because they contain or are covered in nicotinoid alkaloids, similar to tobacco.
Uses
A serving of eggplant has at least 5% of a person’s daily fiber, copper, manganese, B-6, and thiamine requirements. It also contains additional vitamins and minerals.
In addition, eggplants contain phenolic chemicals that function as antioxidants.
Antioxidants are molecules that help the body destroy free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm cells if they accumulate in large amounts. Antioxidant-rich foods may aid in the prevention of a variety of ailments.
Anthocyanins, which include nasunin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, are among the antioxidants found in eggplants.
Soil requirements
A soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for growing eggplant or brinjal. Eggplant is often planted in light or sandy loam soils with good drainage and warm soil temperatures.
Cultivars
Black King, Black Beauty, Florida Market, Long Purple, Imperial, and Little Fingers.