Aubergine varieties that are most cultivated in the world

Hello to all agrohuerters! Do you know the different varieties of eggplant that are grown around the world? In today’s article we are going to talk about the types of aubergines that you can find in the markets. Many of them will surely be very peculiar to you. Do not miss it!

Types of eggplants: classification

The eggplant (Scientific name: Solanum melongena) belongs to the nightshade family. This vegetable, is an annual herbaceous plant, comes from India and is currently, together with China, one of the largest eggplant producing countries. Its name comes from the Arabic word » al-badhinjan «.

At first, as with other crops, it was not widely accepted in society as it was associated with certain diseases. However, over the years it has been cultivated in many countries around the world until it is currently one of the most consumed vegetables.

There are many criteria when classifying vegetables. On this occasion we will base ourselves on the morphological features of the aubergine varieties: color, shape, size, etc.

1. Round eggplants

As the name indicates, these are rounded aubergines with a more flattened shape than the rest. In general, they are quite productive varieties. They normally have an average weight of 300-400 grams but can double their weight on occasion.

Within this category we can find several varieties such as: Aubergine Bonica (Catalonia), Rondona or Black Beauty.

2. Long eggplants

These types of varieties differ very well from the rest because they are thin and elongated aubergines, as you can see in the photo. They are usually purple. I recently discovered them at a fruit and vegetable fair held in Madrid called Fruit Attraction.

These varieties are not very abundant. They usually have an average weight between 200-300 grams. Some of the best known varieties of this type of aubergine are: Aubergine Mirabelle, Aubergine Helena, Aubergine Mileda or Aubergine Viserba.

Did you already know this type of elongated aubergines?

Within these varieties I would like to highlight one known as underground eggplant. The underground aubergine is a particularly long and thin variety, reaching up to 40 centimeters.

3. Intermediate aubergines

Intermediate aubergines are known as those varieties that are most seen in all food stores. They usually have a shiny black color. They are larger than round eggplants and plumper than elongated ones.

Intermediate varieties are very productive varieties and are well adapted both outdoors and in the greenhouse. Some known names for this type of eggplant are: Paula, Diva, Cava, Rima, Cristal, Shakira or Monarka.

Here I leave you a photo of one of these classic eggplants:

4. Listed eggplants

One of the most characteristic varieties is undoubtedly the striped aubergines. These aubergines differ from the rest by having a purple color with white spots. Their production is later than the rest but that does not stop them from being productive. The average weight is around 300 grams. They are normally grown outdoors and are quite vigorous plants.

The best known varieties with these characteristics are: Leire, Ángela, Bandera or the Sicilian Eggplant.

5. Other varieties of eggplant

Finally, I would like to mention another type of very peculiar eggplant varieties around the world.

White aubergine: protected aubergine varieties

The white aubergine is a variety from an area of ​​Barcelona called Bages. It is characterized by its white color, smooth skin and being rounded. Some time ago we dedicated an article to this very special variety, I’ll leave it here in case you want to take a look at it: The white eggplant How to save a vegetable in extinction?

The white aubergine has a sweet flavor, softer than the rest of the aubergines. The crop cycle is shorter. The energy content is low since most of the vegetable is water.

indian eggplant

Another very characteristic variety is the Indian eggplant. We have previously commented that aubergines have their origin in India, so there we can find many local varieties. This aubergine, as you can see in the photo, has a round shape, a dark color and is widely used to make snacks.

Recipe with eggplant

I couldn’t finish this article without sharing with you a recipe with eggplant as the main ingredient. Eggplant has always been one of my favorite vegetables. Therefore, I want to leave you here a recipe that we make a lot in my house. We call it “eggplant pizza” or “stuffed eggplants”.

Ingredients:

• eggplants
• Ketchup
• Grated cheese to melt
• Oregano
• Salt
• extra virgin olive oil

Cut the aubergines lengthwise 1cm thick. We sprinkle salt on both sides. We bake 10 minutes at 180 degrees. Cover with tomato, grated cheese and oregano. Other ingredients such as bacon, ham, minced meat, onion, mushrooms or other types of cheese can also be added.

Once the ingredients are placed, they will be baked for 5 more minutes at 200 degrees. And… Ready to eat! Let me know if you have tried it at home.

Bibliographic references

• Cajamar Caja Rural. José Vicente Maroto Borrego and Carlos Baixauli Soria. 2017. Outdoor Horticultural Crops.
• Fruit Attraction Madrid 2019
• Crowdfunding project for white aubergines on the Lanzanos platform.
• Baixauli, C. (1997): «Aubergine cultivation»; Experimental variety trial (I and II) (9 and 10). Valencian Agrarian Community, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
• Giner, A.; Aguilar, JM; Nunez, A.; Baixauli, C. and Nájera, I. (2014): «Study of new cvs of black and lysed aubergines of intermediate length»; Agricultural Orchard (377); pp. 268-271.

This is all for today, I hope you liked the article and that from now on we know that there are many different varieties of eggplant.

In any case, we always like to remember that it is preferable to consume your local varieties. Local varieties are the ones that are best adapted to each territory and avoid transporting food from different parts of the world to the place of consumption.

Have a nice day!