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Mon, Feb 18, 13 at 18:51
| Hi, I'm growing a white eggplant variety that was labeled "White Beauty", but am afraid that it may actually be its non-edible eggplant counterpart after stumbling upon an article on google. (Here is the article... see the Description section: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv061). My plant perfectly matches the description of the similar-looking non-edible eggplant variety. It has occasional white spines on the plant (these are *mostly* limited to the stem attached to the fruit), the plant has some purple-tinged stems, it's about two feet tall and one foot across, has wavy-edged leaves, and purple flowers. The eggplants themselves are white, and somewhat oblong, though I have not let them reach full size so I don't know how big that is or what color they are when ripe. Could anyone please let me know whether this is, in fact, the edible version of eggplant, or if it's the inedible kind? Or, could you post some pictures of your edible/inedible white eggplant? I'm hoping that the description on that website is wrong, or that I have a particular variety that is similar to the non-edible kind (but is, in fact, edible.) I have attached a picture of my plant to further help. Thanks! -Emily |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Also, does anyone know what effects would come out of eating the inedible kind? i.e., something uncomfortable but harmless like nausea/vomiting, or something potentially fatal like seizures or coma? Thanks!! |
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| Most "inedible" eggplants are edible...they're just very strong/bitter tasting. There's more than a few eaten in parts of Africa (for instance) which most people not used to them would consider inedible based on flavor/taste alone. You'll know if you have one when you put it in your mouth and it tastes bitter. |
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| White Beauty is an edible eggplant: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv061 I had a white variety in 2011 and it was delish! |
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- Posted by farmerdill (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 13 at 19:47
| Concur: Your description fits White Beauty which is a standard OP eggplant. The only white eggplant that I know about that not very palatable is the Easter Egg plant (Solanum ovigerum). It is edible just not very appetizing. |
Here is a link that might be useful: White Beauty Eggplant
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| Where did you get your seeds? Why would you think they are suspect? I've never grown white eggplants, but I've seen them grown. They don't change color. No eggplants really do, in my experience. |
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- Posted by foolishpleasure 7B (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 13 at 22:23
| To me eggplant is black it is something I got used to all my life so black beauty is my eggplant I grow every year. |
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- Posted by bmoser z6PA (b2m2@moserproduce.com) on Tue, Feb 19, 13 at 9:53
| I don't know of any white eggplant that are not edible and I've grown quite a few varieties. Most white types are actually quite mild. You might look into Baker Creek Heirloom seeds catelog (also rareseeds.com) to review descriptions of many ethnic varieties, some white, some orange, some red, some green. As Nc-crn mentioned there are a few of those that are very bitter but that is the cultural preference of some people. One of my more frequent customers of these varieties talks of a favorite eggplant recipe called "Bitter balls". There may be non-edible fruits that somewhat resemble eggplant. Baker Creek offers seeds of the nipple fruit that is listed as non-edible. If in doubt about what you are growing contact the seed supplier for a definitive answer. |
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