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Aug 31, 2023 · 3. Eggplant Variety: The bitterness can also depend on the variety. The common globe or American eggplant and small Thai eggplants are typically more bitter than Italian, white, or Japanese eggplants, which are a little sweeter.
- What Is A Chinese Eggplant?
- What Other Types of Eggplant Are there?
- What’s The Difference Between Eggplant and Chinese Eggplant?
- How Do YouPick The Best Chinese Eggplant?
- Do You Need to Salt Chinese Eggplant?
- How to Cook Chinese Eggplant
Chinese eggplants are long and thin with vibrant lavender skin and white flesh, and can appear either crooked or straight. They taste mildly sweet and hold up when cooked.
When you see the word “eggplant,” that’s usually referring to the large varieties most often found in grocery stores, which are called globes. They’re hefty, have little green caps, and tend to be more bitter, meaty and flavorful. There are many other varieties of eggplant, too—graffiti, Indian, Japaneseand Italian, to name a few. While each is del...
Chinese eggplants have fewer seeds than globes, which reduces their bitterness. And they have a thin skin. While they can be substituted for each other, globes may be less sweet, influencing the outcome of the final dish.
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.
Nope! Because they have fewer seeds, Chinese eggplants are less bitter than globes and do not need to be salted. Salt is used to draw out bitterness, but this variety is naturally sweet. In fact, if an eggplant is picked fresh, it most likely doesn’t need salt, no matter the variety.
What can’t you do with Chinese eggplant? They shine in stir fries, as pickles or braised. Try them in this recipe, from North Carolina reader Allyson Meyler. It calls for conventional eggplant, but the Chinese eggplant’s inherent sweetness will be accentuated by the lime juice and sesame, letting the spices shine. It makes six tasty servings.
- Kim Bussing
Aug 2, 2023 · In this recipe, we use either Chinese eggplant or Japanese eggplant. Both are long and slender and less bitter than globe eggplants. Chinese eggplants are a light purple color while Japanese eggplants are dark purple. Either variety works well in this recipe.
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I grow both Chinese and Japanese eggplant in my garden, both of which are less-bitter than the standard fat globe variety. I’ve heard cooks needing to “salt” the eggplant and let it sit to release its bitter compounds. Not needed for the Asian variety! But either variety is perfect for this spicy eggplant recipe.
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Oct 18, 2023 · Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions on how to cook this Chinese eggplant. When purchasing eggplant, I usually select a smaller one. The less internal pulp, the less bitter they are. Look for all the same-sized eggplants with shiny outer skin without bruising. Add the sauces, sugar and water to a bowl and whisk together. Slice the eggplants.
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- The World
Sep 18, 2023 · No need to salt or soak: If the eggplants are fresh, you do not need to salt or soak the eggplants, as the Chinese variation is less bitter than other varieties. Seasoning: Toss 1.5 lb eggplant pieces with 3 tbsp oil. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or other spices of your choice.
Aug 10, 2023 · Salting them will help remove the bitter flavor. If you prefer a creamier texture, salting the eggplants also helps break down some of the fibers so the texture will be softer. Soak the eggplants. Soaking the eggplants in water will help them absorb less oil later on.
