Eggplant Bitter Male Female Difference

Male eggplants have fewer seeds and are less likely to be bitter. To differentiate between male and female eggplants, inspect the flower end. The male has a small, round, smooth end; the female has an irregular, less smooth end.

Which eggplant is less bitter?

The Chinese variety contains fewer seeds than globe eggplants, and are therefore less bitter.

How do you pick a seedless eggplant?

The younger, smaller eggplants have fewer seeds, and the larger, more mature ones are seedier and mushier. As a rule of thumb, choose young eggplants that have a round dimple at the bottom.

Why does my eggplant flower but no fruit?

ANSWER: If your eggplant produces flowers, but the blooms fall off before they can develop into fruit, there are two main reasons why this could be happening. Your eggplant may be dehydrated from lack of water, or the blossoms may not have been pollinated.

Why are my homegrown eggplants bitter?

Old or overripe eggplants or those that are off color or sit out for a while after being harvested are more likely to exhibit a bitter flavor. Therefore, choose eggplants that are heavy, shiny and firm and avoid eggplants that are off-colored and/or do not exhibit a bright, glossy color.

Does soaking eggplant remove bitterness?

Bitterness can also be reduced by putting the cut eggplants in a basin of cold water with a half slice of lemon placed for 5-10 minutes. Eggplant is also known as aubergine.

Is it OK to eat bitter eggplant?

While you may want to suck out a little excess moisture—more on that in a minute—there's really no need to combat bitterness, says Saffitz. Most of that unpleasant flavor profile has been bred out of eggplants, and current varieties are totally palatable as-is.

Why do you soak eggplant in water before cooking?

Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out its bitterness. Brining can be used instead and has the added advantage of helping the eggplant keep its shape when it's cooked, whether your recipe calls for baking, frying, or grilling.

Why do you soak eggplant in salt water?

Salting the eggplant before cooking draws out excess moisture so the eggplant has a stronger flavor and a softer, more tender texture. Less water = more flavor.

What is the best tasting eggplant?

Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we've ever tasted," says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn't even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.

Should fresh picked eggplant be refrigerated?

The best place to store eggplant is not in the refrigerator, but at room temperature, where it's likely to last longer. Store eggplant in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, and use it as soon as possible after harvesting or buying.

Why are my eggplants so seedy?

Cutting into an eggplant only to find the center full of seeds is a disappointment because you know the fruit isn't at its peak of flavor. Eggplant seediness is usually due to improper harvesting or harvesting at the wrong time.

How do I encourage eggplant to fruit?

Invite native pollinators Self-fertile eggplant flowers can be fertilised by wind alone, but buzz-pollination by bees improves fruit set and fruit size. Many of the best pollinators are solitary bees – carpenter bees, bumblebees, and little sweat bees – who vibrate the blossoms to shake out pollen.

Does eggplant need to be watered everyday?

Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.

Do you need 2 eggplants to produce fruit?

But we'll briefly cover the basics just to get them squared away. Aubergines are self-fertile, which means each individual flower contains all the parts it needs in order to reproduce.

Can bitter eggplant make you sick?

The bitterness is the characteristic feature of the Asian variety of eggplant. The bitter taste is because of the alkaloid compound, solanine which is toxic in excess doses. It is not poisonous for many people and is relatively safe to consume when eaten raw in moderation.

Can I spray Epsom salt on eggplant?

As the plants grow, they need an even moisture supply. They do well with a drip irrigation system, but many watering methods work. When the first blossoms appear, spray the plants with a seaweed extract with one teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved per gallon.

How do you remove solanine from eggplant?

SALTING: Slice the eggplant, then sprinkle salt (coarse salt is best because less is absorbed) onto one side. Leave it for 30 minutes, to allow the solanine (a chemical found in the flesh) to leach out, and brush off with a damp cloth.

How do you cut the bitterness out of eggplant?

If you are worried that the eggplant might be bitter, slice or cube it, then salt it liberally and allow it to drain for an hour or so before cooking. Putting salt on the eggplant triggers osmosis, which draws out excess moisture and the bitterness along with it.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant?

The unsalted fried eggplant was firmer and slightly fibrous. Despite some claims to the contrary, there was no difference in the amount of oil absorbed between salted and not-salted. Eggplant absorbs a LOT of oil either way. That difference in texture became more pronounced the longer the eggplant had been salted.