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- Food & Beverage
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- AppreciationHealthy FoodVegetable
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July
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Eggplant Month celebrates the diverse and nutritious eggplant throughout July. This versatile vegetable, known for its range of sizes, shapes, and colors, is a culinary staple worldwide. Explore new recipes, learn about its health benefits, and discover why this ‘bitter apple’ became a beloved ingredient.
Want to sponsor Eggplant Month? Learn how
Expected Eggplant Month Deals
Throughout Eggplant Month in July, expect grocery stores and specialty food retailers to highlight fresh eggplant varieties and related ingredients. Major chains like Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market often feature seasonal produce sales. Look for recipe ideas and discounts on cooking essentials from brands like Melissa’s Produce, known for its exotic fruit and vegetable selection. Online meal kit services such as Blue Apron or HelloFresh may include eggplant-centric dishes in their weekly menus, while kitchenware brands like Le Creuset could offer promotions on bakeware perfect for eggplant casseroles. Specialty Italian delis and Mediterranean restaurants might run month-long specials on dishes like eggplant parmesan or baba ghanoush. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July approaches.
Platform Guide for Eggplant Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #EggplantMonth. Share vibrant photos of your favorite eggplant dishes, from grilled slices to creamy baba ghanoush.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #EggplantMonth. Film quick recipe tutorials, eggplant growing tips, or taste tests of different eggplant varieties.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #EggplantMonth. Share community recipes, discuss cultivation tips, or host a virtual cooking class.
Eggplant Month Hero
Carl Linnaeus
History of Eggplant Month
There is no agreed-upon place of origin for the eggplant. However, there are mentions of it originating in India according to a few sources. The first written record of the eggplant is found in “Qimin Yaoshu,” a 544 B.C. Ancient Chinese text. Etymology and the presence of names for the vegetable suggest that the plant was not common in Greece and Rome. It is believed that they were grown in the Mediterranean region in the Middle Ages. A 12th-century book on agriculture by Ibn Al-Awwam already described how to grow eggplants.
The eggplant escaped British attention until the 16th century. As per a 1597 English botany book, written by John Gerrde, “this plant groweth in Egypt almost everywhere… bringing foorth fruite of the bignes of a great Cucumber…. We have had the same in our London gardens, where it hath borne flowers, but the winter approching before the time of ripening, it perished: notwithstanding it came to beare fruite of the bignes of a goose egge one extraordinarie temperate yeere… but never to the full ripenesse.” The eggplant has also been a part of folkloric traditions. Also, according to an Italian belief, eggplants can cause insanity.
While raw, the eggplant has a bitter taste. However, after being cooked, it becomes tender and has a rich taste. The vegetable is also very versatile, as it can be eaten by itself, as a filling for recipes, or even as a main course in vegan cuisine.
Eggplant Month timeline
"Qimin Yaoshu" mentions the eggplant.
Ibn Al-Awwam describes how to cook the eggplant in his book.
Italians believe that eggplants cause insanity.
The British begin consuming the eggplant.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Eggplant Month
Local restaurants can feature special eggplant dishes on their menus throughout July, from gourmet appetizers to hearty main courses. Farmers’ markets and produce stands can host tasting events, showcasing different eggplant varieties and offering cooking tips. Specialty food stores might create ‘eggplant kits’ with fresh produce, spices, and recipe cards. Cooking schools can offer workshops focused on preparing eggplant in diverse culinary styles, encouraging community engagement and culinary exploration.
Eggplant Month FAQs
When is Eggplant Month?
Eggplant Month 2026 runs throughout July, from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 31. It’s the perfect time to explore the culinary versatility of this unique vegetable.
What are some common eggplant varieties?
Beyond the common globe eggplant, popular varieties include the long, slender Japanese and Chinese eggplants, small Indian eggplants, and the round, green Thai eggplants. Each offers unique textures and flavors for culinary exploration.
How many countries grow eggplant?
Eggplant is cultivated in over 100 countries worldwide, with major producers including China, India, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran. Its global presence highlights its importance as a food crop and culinary ingredient across diverse cultures.
Is eggplant a fruit or a vegetable?
Botanically, eggplant is classified as a fruit—specifically a berry—because it develops from the flower’s ovary and contains seeds. However, in culinary contexts, it is almost universally treated as a vegetable due to its savory flavor and usage in cooking.
Eggplant Month Activities
Try a few recipes
If you are contemplating eating aubergines, go through a few recipes to see what suits you best. There are a ton of recipes to choose from!
Buy aubergines
Go to your local mart and buy different kinds of eggplants. You can have more versatile dishes by buying different kinds.
Grow an eggplant
Eggplants are famously easy to grow. Give it a shot! You’ll have a great meal and the satisfaction of growing the vegetable all by yourself.
5 Interesting Facts About Vegetables
Hornworms
A hornworm can eat through a tomato plant by itself in a day!
Yams
Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same — they come from different plant families.
Californian broccoli
Almost all broccoli sold in the U.S. is grown in California.
The Supreme Court
Tomatoes are considered vegetables as per a Supreme Court ruling.
Immunity
Mushrooms have their own immune systems.
Why We Love Eggplant Month
It’s an excuse to eat yummy food
Eggplants are delicious. Eggplant Month is a great excuse to eat them!
Eggplants have a fun history
The eggplant has traveled the world. Reading up on it is great fun!
It’s an excuse to grow your own
Eggplants are easy to grow. Use Eggplant Month to try it out yourself!
Social Media Tips for Eggplant Month
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