General Information
The scientific name of the Indian eggplant is solanum melogena esculenta and it consists of a plant which has ovoid, large and purple-skinned fruits. In the various cuisines of the world, the eggplant is also called melongene or aubergine. The Indian eggplant presents some similarities with the Chinese one, as they both have a colour gradient, ranging from white at the stem to intense purple and dark purple, but there are also some albino species. The Indian eggplant is used for various specialties, like the stuffed eggplant, the mashed eggplant salad, the curry eggplant or spicy eggplant with chicken, which all include the famous Indian spices.
History
Indian Eggplants are believed to be native to India and have been around for thousands of years. They then spread to Europe in the 13th century and eventually to the New World. Today, Indian eggplants can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
