Crop Profile

Asian long eggplant is a tropical perennial and is considered a half-hardy annual when cultivated in temperate climates. In the field they can grow from 40 to 150 cm tall, with large, coarsely lobed leaves. Eggplant has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia for millennia and is a member of the Solenaceae family, closely related to tomatoes and peppers. Japanese and Chinese long eggplant are typically 25 to 30 cm in length and the fruit colour ranges from dark to light purple. Asian long eggplant are popular ingredients in traditional dishes from Japan, China, India, Thailand and the Philippines.

Read more in the Bring Home the World: Improving Access to Ontario's World Foods report