The Ultimate Guide to Asian Eggplant Varieties

If you are a fan of eggplants and want to expand your garden to include a variety of Asian eggplants, you have come to the right place. Known for their long, slender shape, thin skin, and mild flavor, Asian eggplants offer a unique twist to your vegetable garden. In this detailed guide, we will explore 21 of the best Asian eggplant varieties, ranging from dark purple and black to bright purple, pink, lavender, and green. So let’s dive in and discover the diverse world of Asian eggplants together!

Understanding Asian Eggplant Varieties

Before we delve into the details of each Asian eggplant variety, let’s take a moment to appreciate the unique characteristics that set them apart from other types of eggplants. Asian eggplants, sometimes referred to as Japanese eggplants, are distinguished by their long, slender shape, thin skin, and delicate flavor. They are members of the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. Many Asian eggplant varieties are early-maturing, giving you the satisfaction of harvesting fresh produce just two months after transplanting. These vigorous plants can grow up to four feet tall and are highly productive, making them an attractive choice for home gardeners.

21 of the Best Asian Eggplant Varieties

Dark Purple and Black Varieties

1. Black Egg
2. Distinct round, dark purple egg-shaped fruits
3. Mild, sweet flavor and tender flesh
4. Compact plants for container growing

5. Matures in 60-65 days

6. Finger Fruit

7. Petite, dark purple eggplants on green stems
8. Clustered fruits with blunt ends
9. Thin skin and few seeds

10. Ready for harvest in 60 days

11. Ichiban

12. Slim, purplish-black fruits on purple stems
13. Delicate, sweet flavor and succulent texture
14. Upright form, ideal for containers

15. Bears fruit just 50-60 days after transplanting

16. Kurume Long

17. Shiny, 9-10 inch black fruit on black stems
18. Excellent for tempura or pickling

19. Vigorous and early maturing in 60 days

20. Millionaire

21. Shiny black, 8-12 inch fruits with dark purple calyxes
22. Virtually seedless, tender flesh

23. High-yielding and early maturing in 50-60 days

24. Orient Express

25. Glossy black, 8-10 inch fruits with thin skins
26. Delicate flavor and tender flesh
27. Abundant harvest in 58 days

28. Suitable for container growing

29. Shikou

30. Dark purple, glossy fruit with thin skin
31. Meaty, rich flavor ideal for stir-fries

32. Few seeds and early maturing in 70-80 days

33. Shoya Long

34. Exceptionally long, 14-16 inch dark purple fruit
35. Fine quality for frying and tempura
36. Very early maturing in 60 days

Bright Purple Varieties

1. Fengyuan Purple

   • Rare Taiwanese heirloom with bright purple fruits
   • Creamy white flesh with thin delicate skin
   • Early maturing in 65 days

2. Japanese Pickling

   • Long, thin, and slightly curved fruits perfect for pickling
   • Sweet and mellow tasting with creamy flesh
   • Harvest-ready in 75-85 days

3. Ping Tung Long

   • Bright purple fruits with sweet, tender flesh
   • Long fruits up to 18 inches in length
   • Ready to harvest in 65-70 days

4. Purple Comet

   • Neon-violet skin with succulent, tender white flesh
   • Few seeds and thin skins for young harvest
   • Matures in 70 days

5. Purple Shine

   • Productive Chinese hybrid with shiny purple skin
   • Firm, seedless fruits perfect for various dishes
   • Matures in 65-70 days

Pink and Lavender Varieties

1. Long Asian

   • Sweet, succulent fruits measuring 8-10 inches
   • Tender and delicious with no bitterness
   • Ready for harvest in 60 days

2. Machiaw

   • Pale purple to deep pink fruit with tender texture
   • Winner of the best Asian type eggplant award
   • Harvest-ready in 60-70 days

3. Orient Charm

   • Shades of pale lavender to bright fluorescent pink
   • Sweet, tender fruits with minimal seeds
   • Ready for harvest in 65 days

Green Varieties

1. Bangladeshi Long

   • Greyish green fruits with purple streaks
   • Mild and delicious, perfect for Indian cuisine
   • Harvest in 75-80 days

2. Choryoku

   • Bright green, 12-inch fruits with firm texture
   • Sweet and tasty, suitable for various cooking methods
   • Matures in 80 days

3. Green Knight

   • Mild-flavored green-skinned fruits, 7-10 inches long
   • Early maturing in just 55-60 days
   • Succulent meaty texture for cooking

4. Hari

   • Waxy green-skinned fruits with tender flesh
   • Ready for harvesting in 50 days
   • Ideal for a variety of culinary uses

5. Thai Long Green

   • Light lime green fruits with mild, sweet flavor
   • Long-season cultivar with drought resistance
   • Ready for harvest in 85 days

An Eggcellent Selection for Your Garden

With these 21 diverse Asian eggplant varieties to choose from, you have a plethora of options to enhance your garden space. Whether you prefer dark purple, bright purple, pink, lavender, or green eggplants, there is a variety that will cater to your taste buds and gardening preferences. From container-friendly cultivars to high-yielding hybrids, each variety offers unique characteristics that make them worthy additions to your backyard garden. So, which of these tantalizing cultivars are you excited to grow? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know if you have any other favorite Asian eggplant varieties.

For more insights into growing eggplants and expanding your culinary repertoire, consider exploring our additional guides:
– How to Plant and Grow Eggplant
– Tips for Pollinating Eggplant by Hand
– 9 of the Best White Eggplant Varieties
– 5 Reasons Your Eggplant Blossoms Are Falling Off

In conclusion, Asian eggplant varieties are a delightful addition to any home gardening enthusiast’s collection. With their unique shapes, colors, and flavors, they offer a diverse range of culinary possibilities. Whether you are a fan of dark, bright, pink, lavender, or green eggplants, there is a variety tailored to your preferences. So, go ahead and embark on a journey of exploration with Asian eggplants in your garden!