Table of Contents
- 1 Do eggplants taste like eggs?
- 2 What is the real name of eggplant?
- 3 How would you describe the taste of eggplant?
- 4 What vegetable family is eggplant?
- 5 Where does the name aubergine come from?
- 6 Why tomatoes are red and eggplants are purple?
- 7 What does eggplant taste like and how does it taste?
- 8 What does eggplant look like in different countries?
Do eggplants taste like eggs?
You know, those long purple fruits (yes, it’s a fruit) that taste delicious after being smothered in breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. But have you ever stopped to wonder why eggplants are called eggplants — especially considering they neither look nor taste like eggs?
What is the real name of eggplant?
eggplant, (Solanum melongena), also called aubergine or Guinea squash, tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible fruits. Eggplant requires a warm climate and has been cultivated in its native Southeast Asia since remote antiquity.
How did aubergine become eggplant?
Aubergine is a French word, and it is how Europeans refer to what Americans would typically call an eggplant. We call it eggplant because the original aubergine that was brought to North America by immigrants looked like white eggs.
How would you describe the taste of eggplant?
Eggplant has a flavor similar to summer squash or zucchini: tender, mild, and sweet with a slight vegetal bitterness. Eggplant will absorb the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with. Its texture is firm and spongy when raw, and meltingly tender when cooked (especially fried, smoked, or braised).
What vegetable family is eggplant?
Nightshade
Nightshade is a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Tobacco is also in the nightshade family. Nightshades are unique because they contain small amounts of alkaloids.
What is eggplant introduction?
Introduction. Eggplant are members of the same plant family as tomatoes and peppers (Solanaceae family) and cultural practices employed in eggplant production are similar to those crops. A native of the tropics, eggplant are warm-season plants that are more vulnerable to cold temperatures than tomatoes.
Where does the name aubergine come from?
The plant is in the nightshade family of plants. It is related to the potato and tomato. Originally, it comes from India and Sri Lanka. The Latin/French term aubergine comes from the historical city of Vergina (Βεργίνα) in Greece.
Why tomatoes are red and eggplants are purple?
What causes the purple pigment? A class of compounds generally called anthocyanin. The specific anthocyanins present in the tomatoes are mainly petunidin, but malvidin and delphinidin are also present. The anthocyanins are modified by the presence of acyl (sugar) groups.
Why is eggplant called eggplant in English?
The plant and fruit have a profusion of English names. The name eggplant is usual in North American English and Australian English. First recorded in 1763, the word “eggplant” was originally applied to white cultivars, which look very much like hen’s eggs (see image).
What does eggplant taste like and how does it taste?
With rare exception, the taste is very similar regardless of which variety of eggplant you get. And the closest thing you can compare its taste to, is zucchini, which means you can expect a very mild and somewhat bland flavor, but you can easily pair it with more flavorful ingredients.
What does eggplant look like in different countries?
Italian eggplant look like a smaller version of the regular ones but have a more delicate skin and texture. Japanese eggplant are oblong and slender, are often brighter purple, and have a sweeter flesh. There’s even a white eggplant which sports a tough skin but smooth flesh.
How do you know when an eggplant is ripe?
The skin should be even, firm, and shiny without any discoloration or bruising. When checking for ripeness, use a finger to press against the eggplant’s skin, creating an indentation.