Thai eggplant, Solanum xanthocarpum, is the given name to an abundance of eggplant cultivars of all sizes, shapes and colours. The small round pale green, yellow or white eggplants, called "ma khua khun" in Thailand, are the most common. Eggplant is actually a perennial fruit as it bears seeds within its body; it is classified as a berry. Thai eggplant, botanically classified within the species Solanum melongena L., is among thousands of eggplant varieties, all of which are members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Eggplants have shared ancestry with tomatoes, potatoes and peppers.

Weighing roughly an ounce, Thai eggplants are known as perhaps the smallest cultivated varieties in the marketplace. They are readily distinguished by their golf ball size and shape as well as by the green, light green and white color variegations that begin at the base and fade to green at the fruit's stem. Their flavor is mild and their seedy flesh is white and pink resembling the appearance of a fig, with a firm texture.

Nutritional Value

Thai eggplants contain alkaloids, phenolics. flavanoids, sterol, sterol, saponins and glycosides. These chemical compounds contribute directly to Thai eggplants healing properties and its versatile medicinal uses.

Serving Ideas

At the most traditional and basic level, Thai eggplants are most commonly used in curries because when cooked they become soft and soak up the sauce with ease. Regardless of size and tradition, Thai eggplant can be as versatile as larger eggplant varieties. Applications range from grilling, shallow and deep frying, baking, pureeing, stewing, stuffing and pickling. Eggplant’s overall culinary companions are other members of the nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes and peppers, both sweet and hot. The fruit also pairs well with garlic, onions and herbs such as basil, oregano, cilantro and parsley.

Geography/History

Cultivated eggplant is native to Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Unlike other members of the Solanaceae family, which are native to the New World, eggplant varieties are native to the Old world. The tomato is the eggplant's closest relative and they still share 27 genomes. Eggplant's divergence from the tomato's last shared ancestor occurred approximately 12 million years ago. Thai eggplant's ancestry can be traced to India, where it grows both wild and domestically. Its foliage a signal to its wild heritage, thorny and prickly, defending against natural predators. Thai eggplant thrives in hot, dry climates and tolerates many soil qualities.

Seasons/Availability

Thai eggplants are available year round.