Eggplant can be prepared into many delicious dishes, such as braised eggplant, grilled eggplant, steamed eggplant, etc. In addition, eggplant is also very nutritious, containing a lot of vitamin E, protein, carbohydrates, and trace elements like calcium and iron, besides solanine which is very beneficial for health.
However, even though they are the same eggplant, the color, texture, and taste can vary. The majority of the problem lies in the selection of eggplant ingredients.
Although the eggplants sold in the market may look similar, their quality is different.
Here are some tips to help you choose the “perfect” eggplant.
1. Look at the shape
Eggplants in the market usually come in two shapes: straight and curved. The question is, when faced with these two types, which one should we choose?
As we know, eggplant is a type of vegetable, its growth and development depend on the natural environment such as soil fertility, sunlight, and humidity. In fact, naturally grown eggplants are healthy and of high quality.
However, the natural resources that eggplants can benefit from during their growth process are not completely balanced. For example, those receiving more sunlight for a long time will grow faster, while those with less sunlight will grow slower. This makes normally grown eggplants unable to grow straight, or at least they look slightly curved. Therefore, eggplants with a certain curve are more reliable.
If the eggplant looks very straight and upright, it is likely that it has been sprayed with pesticides. Because when an eggplant is affected by pesticides, it grows very fast and is greatly reduced under the influence of natural light and other factors, so its shape is basically the same.
2. Look at the color
When choosing eggplants, besides paying attention to the aforementioned shape, the color, smoothness, and softness of the skin are also important aspects to consider whether the eggplant is fresh or not.
The darker and shinier the eggplant, the better it is. This type of eggplant is very fresh and tender when eaten, without seeds, hollows, or discoloration. On the other hand, if you choose a pale or dull-colored eggplant, it means that the eggplant has been stored for a long time or sprayed with pesticides.
In addition to the color, it is also necessary to observe whether there are cracks or depressions on the surface of the eggplant, and whether it has elasticity when squeezed with your hand. If the skin is dented or cracked, and when squeezed it is soft and lacks elasticity, it is not recommended to buy this type of eggplant.
3. Look at the calyx
In a normally grown eggplant, the calyx and the flesh of the eggplant develop together. Normally, the size of the calyx at the top of the eggplant must be proportionate to the size of the eggplant. If the calyx is small and the eggplant is large, then this type of eggplant is not normal, it only grows flesh and does not grow a calyx.