15 of the best varieties of eggplant

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

A worthy representative of the nightshade culture is the eggplant. In agriculture or cooking, it is customary to call it a vegetable, and from a botanical point of view, it is correctly referred to as berries. Eggplants have Asian roots, and they spread throughout the world thanks to the Arabs. Depending on the variety, this vegetable comes in different shapes and different colors. Their weight can range from 30 g to 2 kg.

Many people call eggplants – 'blue', but this is only appropriate if the vegetable is purple. Nowadays you can find white, yellow, dark green eggplants with veins. Their shape can also be very diverse (with a large number of faces, elongated, shortened). The choice of varieties and types of this vegetable is very large, so it is easy to get confused. In this roundup, we've rounded up the best purple and multi-colored eggplant varieties.

Rating of the best varieties of eggplant

Nomination	a place	Variety	rating
The best purple eggplant varieties	1	Albatross	5.0
	2	Diamond	4.9
	3	Valentine F1	4.8
	4	Clorinda F1	4.7
	5	Solomon	4.6
	6	Black handsome	4.5
	7	Marzipan F1	4.4
	8	Vakula	4.3
	9	Vera	4.2
The best varieties of eggplant in different colors	1	Swan	5.0
	2	Icicle	4.9
	3	Pink flamingo	4.8
	4	Purple Haze	4.7
	5	Emerald F1	4.6
	6	Bibo F1	4.5

The best purple eggplant varieties

Purple eggplants familiar to many have a wide variety of varieties and can be grown both in greenhouses and outdoors.

Albatross

Rating: 5.0

Among eggplants with an average ripening period, the Albatross has proven itself well. It takes about 135 days to ripen the fruit. The plant reaches 70 cm in height. Mostly the Albatross variety is grown in greenhouses. But in the south, it is quite possible to cultivate this plant in the open field, if sharp, early cold snaps are excluded there. The yield of this vegetable is 6-8 kg per 1 m².

The albatross eggplant has a shortened pear-shaped shape. Vegetables are ready for picking when they are 9–14 cm long and 7–12 cm wide. The average fruit weight is 250–350 g. At this stage, they turn light purple. And at the time of biological maturity, their color becomes brown-brown. When cut, a dense, white flesh is visible. Seeds are collected from ripe large eggplants for further planting.

According to reviews, albatross eggplants are well stored and transported. Their flesh is dense, without streaks, without bitterness. The skin is thin, the seeds are small. The variety is resistant to most diseases, including cucumber and tobacco mosaic virus. Albatross has good scab resistance and can therefore be grown in temperate regions and areas with cold, wet springs.

Advantages

• the pulp is quite dense in consistency;
• there is no bitterness in the taste;
• a lot of harvest is possible during the season;
• good immunity;
• ideal for workpieces.

disadvantages

• the lower eggplants on the bush reach the ground.

Diamond

Rating: 4.9

Eggplant Diamond is a medium-ripening variety. After the first shoots appear, 110-150 days usually pass before the onset of technical maturity. The plant looks compact. In height, the bush does not exceed 45-55 cm. A large number of branches appear on it quite early, which ensures a larger yield. Diamond is most often cultivated in greenhouses. For these purposes, both heated and non-heated are used.

Eggplant Diamond is shaped like a cylinder. Their length does not exceed 17.5 cm, and their width is 6 cm. By the time of technical maturity, they acquire a dark purple color. And when biological maturity comes, they turn brownish-brown. The average weight of vegetables is 100-180 g. The flesh is greenish with a large number of seeds. Its consistency is dense, there is no bitterness. Up to 8 kg of crops can be harvested from 1 m².

Gardeners in the reviews note that Almaz's taste and marketability are beyond praise. The vegetable can be stored for a long time, it is easy to transport and it is suitable for universal use. The plant is resistant to the most common nightshade diseases.

Advantages

• the crop ripens steadily in large quantities;
• the plant does not require careful maintenance;
• taste and technological properties at a high level;
• feels good during transportation.

disadvantages

• eggplant is a lot of seed.

Valentine F1

Rating: 4.8

The Valentina F1 eggplant variety belongs to hybrids. The bush is partially spreading in shape. Its size can be medium or large enough. In height, it can reach 85-90 cm, but when grown in a greenhouse it can grow more than 1 m. The stem is medium in thickness with slight pubescence. The plant tolerates weather changes quite well. At the same time, flowers do not crumble and a lot of ovary is formed.

Valentine's eggplants look very attractive. They have an elongated pear-shaped or tear-shaped shape. The surface is smooth. The length of vegetables reaches 26 cm, and the diameter is 3 cm. The average weight is slightly more than 200 g. The skin is thin and strong. Her color is dark purple, and sometimes close to black. When cut, white or creamy flesh is visible. It is quite dense, but tender and absolutely without bitterness. There are practically no seeds, and those that are available are very soft.

According to reviews, it is possible to harvest this eggplant variety 12 weeks after germination. The vegetable does not lose its attractive appearance and taste characteristics both during transportation and during storage. In cool conditions, they do not deteriorate for 3-4 weeks. The Valentine variety has good immunity to diseases, especially to the tobacco mosaic virus.

Advantages

• not afraid of bad weather conditions;
• gives considerable yields;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• tolerates transportation and storage well;
• resistance to viral diseases.

disadvantages

• every year you need to buy seeds.

Clorinda F1

Rating: 4.7

Dutch breeders have developed a highly productive hybrid – Clorinda. Bushes grow straight. They usually reach medium to large sizes (sometimes up to 1 m in height). Clorinda has thick stems and short internodes. The plant looks powerful enough. Green oval leaves are not very large, arranged alternately. This variety is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.

Clorinda has an oval fruit shape. By themselves, they are quite fleshy. On average, vegetables of this variety weigh 300 g, but sometimes specimens of 1 kg are found. Their skin is thin but strong. It is highly glossy and has a dark purple color. Fruits reach 25 cm in length and 12 cm in width. The flesh is almost white. It is dense in consistency, without bitterness. The cut vegetable does not oxidize for a long time. There are practically no seeds.

According to reviews, the Clorinda variety manages to form fruits in 68 days. This hybrid is quite hardy. Even in cold weather or when exposed to other stress factors, an ovary appears. However, Clorinda eggplants require timely, regular care, including watering and feeding. When transported and stored, these vegetables feel good enough.

Advantages

• ripening early;
• resistance to adverse conditions;
• ovary formation even in cold weather;
• long fruiting;
• good taste without bitterness;
• the minimum number of seeds.

disadvantages

• annual purchase of seed.

Solomon

Rating: 4.6

The Solomon eggplant variety belongs to the early maturing. It begins to bear fruit on the 100-120th day after germination. Eggplant bushes grow strongly. In spring greenhouses, they can reach 1.5 m, and in winter – 2.5 m. They must be tied up without fail. In heated greenhouses, Solomon's bushes bear fruit abundantly. Vegetables of this variety are actively used for preparing seasonal dishes and for preparations for the winter.

Solomon eggplants are quite large. They have a shape close to an oval or pear. Their flesh is quite dense. The average length of the fruit is 30 cm, and the diameter is 20 cm. By weight, each eggplant can reach 650-1100 g. The skin is dark purple in color, and the flesh is greenish-white. The fruiting period of this variety is quite long. The harvest is plentiful. Up to 16 kg of vegetables can be harvested from 1 m².

In the reviews, gardeners note that Solomon eggplant has excellent taste characteristics. After removal from the bush, the fruits remain for 10 weeks. During this period, they slightly lose their presentation, dry up, but the taste characteristics still remain beyond praise. The variety is not afraid of the tobacco mosaic virus. But if the heat or cold lasts for a long time, the ovary and flowers begin to fall off.

Advantages

• brings a lot of harvest in a short time;
• taste characteristics of fruits;
• good in prone;
• resistant to viral diseases of nightshade.

disadvantages

• needs a garter of shoots.

Black handsome

Rating: 4.5

The Black Beauty variety is a worthy representative of mid-season eggplants. Fruiting occurs 110-145 days after the emergence of mass shoots. Bushes with Black Beauty grow up to 80 cm in height. In shape, they are spreading in half. Their internodes are short. The stems are slightly pubescent. Leaflets weakly toothed with spines.

The eggplants of this variety are elongated pear-shaped. In length they reach 20 cm, and their diameter is average. The average weight of the fruits is 100-200 g. Upon reaching the technical ripeness, the color of the skin becomes dark purple. In the context, the flesh is yellowish. It is very tender and seedless. There is no bitterness in the taste. From 1 m² it is possible to harvest up to 3-6.5 kg of the crop.

There are mostly positive reviews about the Black Handsome variety. Gardeners praise these eggplants for their ability to harvest a lot. They also like good immunity, ease of care, and taste. The black handsome man is suitable for all kinds of processing methods. However, gardeners note that if the crop is not harvested on time, the pulp becomes bitter.

Advantages

• gives a lot of harvest;
• taste characteristics;
• the possibility of long-term storage;
• great for workpieces.

disadvantages

• bitter flesh in late harvested fruits.

Marzipan F1

Rating: 4.4

Eggplant variety Marzipan refers to mid-season hybrids. The average growing season is about 130 days. The height of the bush can reach 1 m. The plant needs to be tied up, because the bush can quickly break under the weight of the eggplant. Marzipan gives a lot of ovary. Flowers grow singly or in inflorescences.

Eggplants grow quite large. Their length reaches 15 cm and a width of 8 cm. Fruits weigh 1 kg or more. Their rind is glossy, dark purple. Even at the end of the season, you can pick rather large vegetables, weighing 400 g. The flesh of the fruits is very tender, creamy white. There is no bitterness in the taste. There are not very many seeds and they are small.

Marzipan variety is famous for its outstanding taste characteristics. This plant tolerates any stress factors quite easily. However, gardeners note that with uneven watering against the background of stable hot weather, cracks may appear on Marzipan eggplants. Plants can also shed flowers and ovaries if watered with cold water.

Advantages

• the neat shape of the eggplant;
• there is no bitterness in the taste;
• resistance to various stress factors
• high yields.

disadvantages

• bushes need a garter.

Vakula

Rating: 4.3

Vakula variety is an early maturing eggplant. The bushes grow up to 1.5-2 m in height. The largest specimens are obtained in heated greenhouses. Eggplants are harvested after 95-100 days from the time the first shoots appear. The yield from 1 m² is up to 12 kg of vegetables. All the eggplants on the bush form and ripen at about the same time.

The shape of the Vakula eggplant resembles an ellipse. The skin is dark purple in color. The pulp is snow-white and without bitterness. And in general, the taste characteristics of this variety are very rich and distinguish it from others. The length of the fruits reaches 17-20 cm, and the diameter is 9-10 cm. There are no thorns on the branches, so it is much easier to care for the plant.

Gardeners note that the Vakula eggplant variety is very popular for its high yield with early ripening of fruits. Moreover, this variety is very tasty. The plant shows good resistance to falling flowers. It has good immunity to viral diseases and adapts well to other adverse conditions. But this variety requires additional tying and shaping.

Advantages

• ripening of eggplants on the same bush at the same time;
• high yield rates;
• delicious vegetable;
• lack of thorns on the plant;
• resistance to viral diseases.

disadvantages

• the bush requires tying and shaping.

Vera

Rating: 4.2

Vera's eggplant variety ripens early. From the moment of germination to the first opportunity to remove vegetables from the bush, it takes about 120 days. Technical ripeness occurs in late summer or early autumn. Bushes can be quite compact, not exceeding 75 cm in height. Or they grow quite tall – up to 105 cm. The stems are covered with an average number of leaves. The flower cup has a large number of rare spines.

Vera's eggplant fruits are very pretty in appearance. They resemble a pear in shape. Their length is not more than 20 cm. Their average weight is 180 g, but there are specimens of 300 g each. The skin is smooth and shiny. Her color is purple. The pulp is quite dense, there are no voids in it. The taste is gentle, without bitter notes.

Advantages

• stable fruiting;
• beautiful and tasty fruits;
• good resistance to cold weather;
• universal application.

disadvantages

• not identified.

The best varieties of eggplant in different colors

As a result of crosses, eggplants of various colors were obtained. The white-skinned varieties have been developed to get rid of the bitterness in the coloring enzyme as much as possible.

Swan

Rating: 5.0

The Swan eggplant variety ripens in an average period of time (105-116 days). The bushes are formed quite compact. They reach a height of 50-70 cm. This variety may well be cultivated both in greenhouse conditions and in the open field. Swan eggplant is distinguished by high yield rates. Up to 18 kg of vegetables can be removed from 1 m².

The shape of the eggplant resembles a slightly elongated cylinder. During technical maturity, the peel turns white. The length of each fruit reaches 18-20 cm, and the diameter is 5-7 cm. Ripe eggplants weigh on average 200-250 g. The flesh of the Swan variety has a snow-white color. Her taste is very delicate, absolutely without bitterness.

Gardeners in their reviews praise this variety for the fact that it has good resistance to the main diseases of the nightshade. Also Swan is distinguished by excellent taste and marketability. The variety is characterized by high yield rates. But experienced gardeners suggest that it is possible to achieve maximum results if no more than 5-6 large inflorescences are left on the bush. The trouble that Swan is facing is the attack on the bushes of Colorado beetles.

Advantages

• complete absence of bitterness;
• excellent commercial qualities;
• high productivity;
• good immunity to major diseases.

disadvantages

• susceptible to attack by Colorado beetles.

Icicle

Rating: 4.9

Icicle eggplants ripen super early. Bushes grow sprawling in half. Their height reaches 50-60 cm. The culture loves warmth, is demanding of light and moisture. The Icicle variety can be grown in spring greenhouses without heating and in winter heated ones. Eggplant bears fruit stably and retains its properties during transportation.

Icicles have an elongated cylindrical shape. Their length reaches 25 cm, and their width is 2-3 cm. They are white and shiny. The cups are clear of thorns or very few are present. The pulp is perfectly white. It is moderately dense, but at the same time very tender. The taste is completely devoid of bitterness and there is a pronounced mushroom aroma. It is possible to collect up to 5 kg of harvest from one bush.

There are often rave reviews about the Icicle variety. This eggplant is appreciated for its high yield, ideal taste characteristics (no bitterness, mushroom aroma), resistance to various diseases, including spider mites. And since the fruits have a small diameter, it is possible to cook all kinds of culinary delights from them.

Advantages

• interesting shape;
• there is no bitterness in the taste;
• mushroom aroma;
• high yield rates;
• resistance to disease.

disadvantages

• not identified.

Pink flamingo

Rating: 4.8

Eggplant Pink Flamingo has a medium ripening period. The bush grows loose, half-spreading, reaching a height of 80-120 cm. Fruiting occurs 125-135 days after the emergence of shoots. Bears fruit amicably, evenly and continuously. Suitable for cultivation in all types of greenhouses, as well as on the ground without shelter. The plant is not demanding to care for.

Eggplants are unusually long, narrow, and curved. Their shape is cylindrical. The color is lilac-pink at the time of technical maturity. The average length of eggplants reaches 40 cm, and the width is 4-5 cm. The average weight of each fruit is 250-450 g. The eggplant pulp is pure white, the seeds are located only in the upper part. The spines on the cups are completely absent. Fruits are arranged on twigs in bunches of 2-6 pieces.

According to gardeners' reviews, eggplants of this variety are convenient for transportation over long distances. Eggplants are very tasty – the pulp does not need to be soaked for a long time from bitterness. The Pink Flamingo has a fairly good resistance to major eggplant diseases, and also tolerates adverse environmental conditions well. Many people like the versatility of this vegetable.

Advantages

• bear fruit amicably;
• there are practically no seeds in the fruits;
• lack of thorns;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• good immunity.

disadvantages

• not identified.

Purple Haze

Rating: 4.7

Eggplant variety Lilac Mist has an early ripening period. The plant grows up to 1.5 m and has a large number of branches. The thickness of the stem is average – 60 cm. The leaves are smooth, ideally shaped, without serrations. Lilac mist has a versatile cultivation method in closed or open field.

Eggplants have an oval shape. And in the color of the skin there is a light purple tint. The vegetable has exceptionally white flesh, without a bitter taste. The average weight of one eggplant reaches about 180 g. The average length of a vegetable is 18 cm. From 1 m² it is possible to harvest up to 15 kg of harvest. Lilac fog is great for various winter preparations.

According to reviews, this variety of eggplant is immune to bacterial-type rot (top rot). However, Lilac Mist does not tolerate a sharp drop in temperature, and also requires regular feeding. And yet, high marketability and excellent taste are very attractive for gardeners, so this variety is becoming more and more popular.

Advantages

• short ripening period;
• pulp without bitterness;
• high commercial qualities;
• immunity to top rot.

disadvantages

• does not tolerate frost well.

Emerald F1

Rating: 4.6

Eggplant variety Emerald F1 is an early ripe hybrid. Its growing season is 105-110 days. It is suitable for both open and closed ground. The bushes reach 60-70 cm in height and have a spreading half structure. The variety does not need shaping or tying. It bears fruit for a long time. Suitable for all processing methods.

Eggplants have an elongated cylindrical shape. At the stage of technical maturity, they have a light green color. The average weight of these vegetables reaches 300-400 g. The pulp is light white. She has a delicate texture and a complete lack of bitterness. The fruits are distinguished by high taste characteristics, therefore they are often used in culinary processing.

Gardeners in reviews praise the Emerald eggplant for its resistance to disease and all kinds of stress factors. The variety perfectly tolerates a drop in temperature, bears fruit for a long time and has high technological qualities. Housewives note that any dish can be quickly prepared from such eggplants without prolonged culinary processing.

Advantages

• complete absence of bitter taste;
• active fruiting;
• resistance to weather conditions;
• resistance to various diseases.

disadvantages

• annual purchase of seed.

Bibo F1

Rating: 4.5

The Bibo eggplant variety belongs to hybrids. Bushes grow compact but powerful. They can be short or medium in height. Usually their height does not exceed 85 cm. The stem is medium in thickness, slightly pubescent. Medium-sized leaves are green in color. Up to 15 ovaries can be observed on one bush. The flowers are small, purple.

Bibo eggplants have an oval shape, close to a cone. They can be medium or large in size. All fruits are approximately the same in shape and size. They are harvested when they reach 18 cm in length and 8 cm in diameter. The average weight of vegetables is 190-210 g, but some specimens can reach 400 g. The skin is dense, but thin. Her color is soft milk. The pulp is perfectly white. It is dense, but at the same time tender and without bitterness.

Gardeners in the reviews note that the variety ripens early. From germination to harvest, an average of 100-120 days pass. This is influenced by weather conditions. Bibo has good immunity against tobacco mosaic and fusarium. Harvested vegetables can be stored for a long time. The variety is not capricious and does not require complex care. But the seeds collected from the hybrid will not be as high quality as the original ones.

Advantages

• stable, high yield;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• stored for a long time;
• high resistance to disease.

disadvantages

• the quality of the seeds harvested from the hybrid.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.