Eggplant / Aubergine
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Solanum Species: S. melongena
Binomial name
Solanum melongena L.

The eggplant, aubergine or brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades) and genus Solanum. It bears a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. As a night-shade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato and is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is a short-lived perennial plant often cultivated as an annual. It grows 40 to 150 cm (16 to 57 in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10 to 20 cm (4-8 in) long and 5 to 10 cm (2-4 in) broad. The stem is often spiny. The flowers are white to purple, with a five-lobed corolla and yellow stamens. The fruit is fleshy, less than 3 cm in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms. (Semi-)wild types can grow much larger, to 225 cm (7 ft) with large leaves over 30 cm (12 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) broad. The fruit contains numerous small, soft seeds which are edible. Eggplant is a brownish-purple color that resembles eggplants and was introduced by Crayola in 1998, but the Crayola color eggplant is less saturated (more of a grayish red-violet color). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Solanum_melongena_ja02. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Orders See text. ... Asteridae is a botanical subclass of flowering plants in class Dicotyledon or Magnoliopsida. ... Families at least the following: Solanaceae Convolvulaceae and others, varying between classification systems; for details see text The Solanales are an order of flowering plants, included in the asterid group of dicotyledons. ... “Nightshade” redirects here. ... Species See text. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... “Nightshade” redirects here. ... Species See text. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Vegetable (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Tomato (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Potato (disambiguation). ... Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... Peas are an annual plant. ... Look up foliage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Raised thorns on the stem of the wait-a-bit climber Thorns on rose stems A spine is a rigid, pointed surface protuberance or needle-like structure on an animal, shell, or plant, presumably serving as a defense against attack by predators. ... For other uses, see Flower (disambiguation). ... Corolla can be: A Latin-language term for crown The Toyota Corolla, a model of automobile manufactured by Toyota The corolla is one whorl of the perianth of a flower and composed of petals The town of Corolla, North Carolina This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that... Stamens of the Amaryllis with prominent anthers carrying pollen Insects, while collecting nectar, unintentionally transfer pollen from one flower to another, bringing about pollination The stamen (from Latin stamen meaning thread of the warp) is the male organ of a flower. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... A ripe red jalapeño cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ...

History

Solanum melongena, flower

The eggplant is an important food crop grown for its large, pendulous purple or white fruit. It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia since prehistory but appears to have become known to the Western world no earlier than ca. 1500 CE. The numerous Arabic and North African names for it, along with the lack of ancient Greek and Roman names, indicate that it was introduced throughout the Mediterranean area by the Arabs in the early Middle Ages. The scientific name Solanum melongena is derived from a 16th century Arabic term for one kind of eggplant. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... BCE redirects here. ... Arabic redirects here. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... Languages Arabic other minority languages Religions Predominantly Sunni Islam, as well as Shia Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Catholicism, Roman Catholicism, Alawite Islam, Druzism, Ibadi Islam, and Judaism Footnotes a Mainly in Antakya. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ...

The name eggplant developed in the United States, Australia, and Canada because the fruits of some 18th century European cultivars were yellow or white and resembled goose or hen's eggs. The name aubergine in British English developed based on the French aubergine (as derived from Catalan albergínia). In Indian and South African English, the fruit is known as a "brinjal." Aubergine and brinjal, with their distinctive br-jn or brn-jl aspects, derive from Arabic and Sanskrit. In the caribbean Trinidad, it also goes by the latin derivative "melongen". Catalan IPA: (català IPA: or []) is a Romance language, the national language of Andorra, and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia, and in the city of LAlguer in the Italian island of Sardinia. ... For other uses, see Trinidad (disambiguation). ...

Because of the eggplant's relationship with the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, it was at one time believed to be poisonous. While it is true that eggplant can generally be eaten without ill effect by most people, for some, the eating of eggplant as well as other edible nightshade plants (tomato, potato, and capsicum/peppers) can indeed be harmful. Some eggplants can be rather bitter, which can irritate the stomach lining and cause gastritis. More importantly, nightshades, including eggplant, can cause or significantly worsen arthritis and should be avoided by those sensitive to them. ^[1] “Nightshade” redirects here. ...

Cultivated varieties

A purple eggplant which has been sliced in half, showing the inside. The flesh surrounding the seeds is already beginning to oxidize and turn brown just minutes after slicing.

The most widely grown cultivated varieties (cultivars) in Europe and North America today are elongated ovoid, 12-25 cm long (4 1/2 to 9 in) and 6-9 cm broad (2 to 4 in) with a dark purple skin. A much wider range of shapes, sizes and colors is grown in India and elsewhere in Asia. Larger varieties weighing up to a kilogram grow in the region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, while smaller varieties are found elsewhere. Colors vary from white to yellow or green as well as reddish-purple and dark purple. Some cultivars have a color gradient, from white at the stem to bright pink to deep purple or even black. Green or purple cultivars with white striping also exist. Chinese eggplants are commonly shaped like a narrower, slightly pendulous cucumber, and sometimes were called Japanese eggplants in North America. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (794x800, 404 KB) Summary Description: An eggplant (probably Solanum melongena) sliced in half, with the halves facing up, on a cutting board. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (794x800, 404 KB) Summary Description: An eggplant (probably Solanum melongena) sliced in half, with the halves facing up, on a cutting board. ... To oxidize an element or a compound is to increase its oxidation number. ... This Osteospermum Pink Whirls is a successful cultivar. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... North America North America is a continent [1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... This article is about the fruit. ...

Oval or elongated oval-shaped and black-skinned cultivars include: 'Harris Special Hibush', 'Burpee Hybrid', 'Black Magic', 'Classic', 'Dusky', and 'Black Beauty'. Long, slim cultivars with purple-black skin include: 'Little Fingers', 'Pingtung Long' and 'Tycoon'; with green skin: 'Louisiana Long Green' and 'Thai (Long) Green'; with white skin: 'Dourga'. Traditional, white-skinned, oval-shaped cultivars include 'Casper' and 'Easter Egg'. Bicolored cultivars with color gradient include: 'Rosa Bianca', and 'Violetta di Firenze'. Bicolored cultivars with striping include: 'Listada de Gandia' and 'Udumalapet'. Matti Gulla or Matti brinjal is a unique variety of eggplant grown in the village of Matti in the Udupi district of India; it is light green in color and round in shape. Some brinjals of this variety weigh more than one kilogram. Matti may refer to: In sports: Matti Breschel, professional road bicycle racer who currently rides for UCI ProTour outfit Team CSC Matti Hautamäki, Finnish ski jumper Matti Nykänen, Finnish former ski jumper Matti Pitkänen, former Finnish cross-country skier who competed in the late 1970s and... , For other uses, see Udupi (disambiguation). ...

Matti Gulla

Solanum melongena, fruit

Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2576 × 1932 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2576 × 1932 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ...

Cooking

Melanzane alla Parmigiana, or Eggplant Parmesan (baked with Parmesan cheese).

The raw fruit can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked and develops a rich, complex flavor. Salting and then rinsing the sliced eggplant (known as "degorging") can soften and remove much of the bitterness. Some modern varieties do not need this treatment, as they are less bitter. The eggplant is capable of absorbing large amounts of cooking fats and sauces, allowing for very rich dishes, but the salting process will reduce the amount of oil absorbed. The fruit flesh is smooth; as in the related tomato, the numerous seeds are soft and edible along with the rest of the fruit. The thin skin is also edible, so that the eggplant need not be peeled. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1982x1486, 926 KB) [edit] Summary [edit] Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Aubergine Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1982x1486, 926 KB) [edit] Summary [edit] Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Aubergine Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... This article is considered orphaned, since there are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Parmesan cheese. ... For other uses, see Tomato (disambiguation). ... This writeup is about biological seeds; for other meanings see Seed (disambiguation). ...

The eggplant is used in cuisines from Japan to Spain. It is often stewed, as in the French ratatouille, the Italian melanzane alla parmigiana, the Greek moussaka, and many South Asian dishes. It may also be roasted in its skin until charred, so that the pulp can be removed and blended with other ingredients such as lemon, tahini, and garlic, as in the Middle Eastern dish baba ghanoush and the similar Greek dish melitzanosalata or the Indian dishes of Baigan Bhartha or Gojju. It can be sliced, battered, and deep-fried, then served with various sauces which may be based on yoghurt, tahini, or tamarind. Grilled and mashed eggplant mixed with onions, tomatoes, and spices makes the Indian dish baingan ka bhartha. The eggplant can also be stuffed with meat, rice, or other fillings and then baked. In the Caucasus, for example, it is fried and stuffed with walnut paste to make nigvziani badrijani. For the animated film, see Ratatouille (film). ... Melanzane alla Parmigiana, or Eggplant Parmesan (baked aubergines with Parmesan cheese). ... Musakka/Moussakas Moussaka ([musaka]; Greek: ; Romanian: ; Turkish: ; South Slavic: мусака/​musaka; Armenian: ; Arabic: musaqqaa) is a traditional eggplant (aubergine)-based dish in the Balkans and the Middle East, but most closely associated with Greece and Turkey. ... Syrian style Baba Ghanoush Baba Ghanoush or Baba-Ganouj (Arabic بابا غنوج), melitzanosalata (Greek μελιτζανοσαλάτα), baklazhannaya ikra (Russian баклажанная икра, literally eggplant caviar) or simply eggplant salad or aubergine salad is a family of popular Middle Eastern dishes made primarily of eggplant (aubergine). ... Greek cuisine is the cuisine of Greece and of the Greeks . ... Egyptian baba ghanoush with pita bread Baba ganoush, babaghanoush,, babaghanouj (Arabic بابا غنوج), melitzanosalata (Greek μελιτζανοσαλάτα), or simply eggplant salad or aubergine salad is a family of popular Middle Eastern dishes made primarily of eggplant (aubergine). ... The multiple families of Indian cuisine are characterized by their sophisticated and subtle use of many spices and herbs. ... Battered is a Norwegian thrash metal band fronted by former Einherjer members Frode Glesnes, Gerhard Storesund and Aksel Herløe in 2004. ... Deep frying is cooking food by submerging the whole food item in hot oil or fat, originating in Africa. ... For other uses, see Sauce (disambiguation). ... Yoghurt or yogurt, less commonly yoghourt or yogourt (see spelling below), is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. ... For the parody newspaper, see The Onion. ... Binomial name Solanumlycopersicum Linnaeus ref. ... External links Wikibooks Cookbook has more about this subject: Spice Food Bacteria-Spice Survey Shows Why Some Cultures Like It Hot Citat: ...Garlic, onion, allspice and oregano, for example, were found to be the best all-around bacteria killers (they kill everything). ... This article is about the food. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Caucasus Mountains. ... Walnut sauce (also known as walnut paste) is a food paste with origins in Iranian cuisine made primarily from walnuts and especially popular in Georgian cuisine. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ...

As a native plant, it is widely used in South Indian cuisine, for example in sambhar, chutney, curries, and achaar. Owing to its versatile nature and wide use in both everyday and festive South Indian food, it is often described (under the name brinjal) as the 'King of Vegetables' in South India. In the cuisine of North Karnataka in South India, Brinjal is stuffed with ground coconut, peanuts, and masala and then cooked in oil. This is called yengai in the local language and when eaten with sorghum bread, jolada rotti, is a delicacy. South Indian Cuisine is a term is used to refer to the cuisines found in the four southern states of India, namely: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and TamilNadu. ... The South Indian staple breakfast item of Idly, Sambhar and Vada served on a banana leaf. ... This article is about the condiment. ... This article is about the dish. ... North Karnataka is a relatively arid expanse of plateau, lying between 300 and 700 meters elevation. ... For other uses, see Coconut (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Peanut (disambiguation). ... Massala redirects here. ... Species About 30 species, see text Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are utilised as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. ...

Cultivation

In tropical and subtropical climates, the eggplant can be sown directly into the garden. Eggplant grown in temperate climates fares better when transplanted into the garden after all danger of frost is past. Seeds are typically started eight to ten weeks prior to the anticipated frost-free date. For the usage in virology, see temperate (virology). ... Frost on black pipes Frost is a solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. ...

Many pests and diseases which afflict other solanaceous vegetables, such as tomato, pepper (capsicum), and potato, are also troublesome to eggplants. For this reason, it should not be planted in areas previously occupied by its close relatives. Four years should separate successive crops of eggplants. Common North American pests include the potato beetle, flea beetle, aphids and spider mites. Many of these can be controlled using Bacillus thurengensis (Bt), a bacterium that attacks the soft-bodied larvae. (Adults can be removed by hand, though flea beetles can be especially difficult to control.) Good sanitation and crop-rotation practices are extremely important for controlling fungal disease, the most serious of which is Verticillium. Binomial name Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, 1824 The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, also known as the Colorado beetle, ten-striped spearman, the ten-lined potato beetle) is an important pest of potato crops. ... Genera many; see text. ... Families There are 10 families: Anoeciidae Aphididae Drepanosiphidae Greenideidae Hormaphididae Lachnidae Mindaridae Pemphigidae Phloeomyzidae Thelaxidae Aphids, also known as greenfly or plant lice, are minute plant-feeding insects. ... Binomial name Tetranychus urticae C.L. Koch, 1836 Tetranychus urticae (an animal with over 60 common names, including red spider mite and two-spotted spider mite) is one of many species of plant-feeding mites found in dry environments, and generally considered a pest. ... Binomial name Berliner 1915 Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, soil dwelling bacterium of the genus Bacillus. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Verticillium lecanii. ...

Spacing should be 45 cm (18 in) to 60 cm (24 in) between plants, depending on cultivar, and 60 cm to 90 cm (24 to 36 in) between rows, depending on the type of cultivation equipment being used. Mulching will help conserve moisture and prevent weeds and fungal diseases. The flowers are relatively unattractive to bees and the first blossoms often do not set fruit. Hand pollination will improve the set of the first blossoms. Fruits are typically cut from the vine just above the calyx owing to the semi-woody stems. For other uses, see Western honey bee and Bee (disambiguation). ... Hand pollination (also called mechanical pollination) is a technique used when natural, or open pollination is insufficient or undesirable. ...

Statistics

According to the USDA, production of eggplant is highly concentrated, with 93 percent of output coming from seven countries. China is the top producer(55% of world output) and India (28%); Egypt, Turkey, and Japan round out the top producing nations. United States is the 20th largest producer. More than 4 million acres (16,000 km²) are devoted to the cultivation of eggplant in the world.^[2]

Health

Studies of the Institute of Biology of São Paulo State University, Brazil (Instituto de Biociências of the UNESP de Botucatu, São Paulo) showed that eggplant is effective in the treatment of high blood cholesterol hypercholesterolemia and in the control of cholesterol (about 30% reduction).^{[citation needed]} The University which spans the whole State of São Paulo - UNESP in http://www. ... Botucatu is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil, located 224. ... This article is about the city. ... Hypercholesterolemia (literally: high blood cholesterol) is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood [1]. It is not a disease but a metabolic derangement that can be secondary to many diseases and can contribute to many forms of disease, most notably cardiovascular disease. ... Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol). ...

Eggplant is richer in nicotine than any other edible plant, with a concentration of 100 ng/g (or 0.01mg/100g). However, the amount of nicotine from eggplant or any other food is negligible compared to passive smoking. ^[3]

See also

Solanum gilo (Scarlet Eggplant, Gilo or Jiló) is a green fruit related to the tomato and the eggplant. ... Eggplant salad or aubergine salad is a dish made primarily of eggplants, and varies throughout different regions and countries of the world. ... Syrian style Baba Ghanoush Baba Ghanoush or Baba-Ganouj (Arabic بابا غنوج), melitzanosalata (Greek μελιτζανοσαλάτα), baklazhannaya ikra (Russian баклажанная икра, literally eggplant caviar) or simply eggplant salad or aubergine salad is a family of popular Middle Eastern dishes made primarily of eggplant (aubergine). ... Salată de vinete spread on slices of bread Salată de vinete (eggplant salad, Hungarian: ) is a Romanian salad made from grilled chopped eggplants, sunflower oil and chopped onions. ... Romanian cuisine is diverse, blending the dishes of the several traditions which it has come into contact with, as well as maintaining its own character. ... Escalivada is a typical preparation of Catalan cuisine that consists of several types of grilled vegetables like eggplants (genus Solanum), sweet red peppers (genus Capsicum), red tomatoes, and sweet onions. ... Catalan cuisine refers to the cuisine of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Comunidad de Valencia in Spain; as well as French Roussillon. ... Musakka/Moussakas Moussaka ([musaka]; Greek: ; Romanian: ; Turkish: ; Bulgarian: ; South Slavic: мусака/​musaka; Armenian: ; Arabic: musaqqaa) is a traditional eggplant (aubergine)-based dish in the Balkans and the Middle East, but most closely associated with Greece and Turkey. ... Turkish cuisine inherited its Ottoman heritage which could be described as a fusion and refinement of Turkic, Arabic, Greek, Armenian and Persian cuisines. ... Thai Eggplant Thai Eggplant (Thai: มะเขือ ma keua) is a vegatable used primarily in Thai cooking. ...

Image gallery

Japanese eggplant Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...	Japanese eggplant flower Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Purple eggplants ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1944x2592, 2968 KB) 长茄子及其叶子 Shizhao2005年摄于诸暨乡间。 File links The following pages link to this file: Eggplant ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1944x2592, 2968 KB) 长茄子及其叶子 Shizhao2005年摄于诸暨乡间。 File links The following pages link to this file: Eggplant ... Aubergines from http://www. ...		Eggplant flower Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2592x1944, 1096 KB) 茄子花 Shizhao2005年摄于诸暨乡间。 File links The following pages link to this file: Eggplant ...	The flowers of the Thai eggplant Flowers of the Thai eggplant taken by user:KayEss File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Thai Eggplant Thai Eggplant (Thai: มะเขือ ma keua) is a vegatable used primarily in Thai cooking. ...
The fruit of the Thai eggplant. The white residue on the leaves is common. Download high resolution version (482x640, 61 KB)Fruit of the Thai egglplant taken by user:KayEss File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	A long slender eggplant. Image File history File links Auberginej. ...	a deformed eggplant Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1500 × 1125 pixel, file size: 817 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Information/Description = A deformed eggplant Source = I took this myself Date = 5th November 2004 Author = Jason Ruck I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby...

References

1. ^ Childers, N.F. (PhD) & Margoles, M.S. (MD). (1993). An apparent relation of nightshades (Solanaceae) to arthritis. Journal of Neurological and Orthopedic Medical Surgery. 12: 227-231. (article provided on-line by the Arthritis Nightshades Research Foundation | http://www.noarthritis.com/research.htm
2. ^ Vegetables and Melons Outlook/VGS-318 (PDF). Economic Research Service 23. USDA (2006-12-14). Retrieved on 2007-04-24.
3. ^ Edward F. Domino, Erich Hornbach, Tsenge Demana, The Nicotine Content of Common Vegetables, The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 329:437 August 5, 1993 Number 6

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Solanum melongena

Wikibooks Cookbook has an article on

Eggplant

• Aubergine: Plants for a Future database
• Solanum melongena L. on Solanaceae Source - Images, specimens and a full list of scientific synonyms previously used to refer to the eggplant.
• Nutrition facts