Description
Also called eggplant. Several well-known cultivars provide fruit with an egg-like shape, a glossy purple shell, and a white inside with a “meaty” texture. Other types are paler in hue and have longer forms. The fruit, which is classified botanically as a berry, has a number of small, palatable seeds that are soft and have a flavor that is somewhat nicotinoid and reminiscent of tobacco.
Varieties
There are numerous types of brinjal, including:
“Fairy Tale”: This small brinjal only gets as long as four inches.
‘Hansel’: This variety is longer and narrower than its predecessors, and it also has fewer seeds.
‘Gretel’: This type has white skin and is identical to ‘Hansel’.
This round variety, called “Rosa Bianca,” features pink and lavender colouring.
This small cultivar of brinjal, called “Little Fingers,” resemble tiny, purple fingers.
Uses
The fruit of the brinjal is frequently categorized as a vegetable. They can be prepared in a number of ways, including baking, grilling, frying, or pickling. Additionally, they can be pureed, spiced, and served as a chutney or dip in Indian and Mediterranean cuisines.
Nutrition
Raw brinjal has 92% of water, 6% are carbs, 1% are protein, and there is very little fat. Only manganese has a moderate percentage of the DV, which means it delivers very little in the way of vital nutrients.
Cultivation
The plants wilt or fail to set and produce mature fruit when grown in cold climes or places with low humidity since brinjal favours warmer conditions. 8-10 weeks before the predicted date of the last expected frost, seeds are normally sown. S. melongena is listed as one of the low-flammability plants, which means it can be grown safely away from structures.
The ideal space between plants should be between 45 and 60 cm (18 to 24 in) depending on the cultivar, while the recommended distance between rows should be between 60 and 90 cm. Mulching aids in moisture retention, deters weed growth and fungal infections, and provides some shade for plants during the hottest portion of the day.
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