A short history of the Aubergine

Historians believe the eggplant may have its origins in India, but early written accounts from a 5th century Chinese record on agriculture called the Ts'i Min Yao Shu indicate its cultivation in China.

Southeast Asia was also considered as a possible place of the eggplant's origin because of the many varieties found there. Some botanists believe that the plant's location of most diversity may be the place of origin, but no definitive proof exists. While eggplant is considered one of Japan's five most important vegetables, the country does not claim it originated there.

Eggplant arrived on the European scene when the Moors invaded Spain during the 8th century. The Italians encountered the fruit through trading with the Arabs about the 13th century. What the Europeans saw with the first arrivals of eggplant were egg-shaped fruits that were either purple, white, or yellow. Before the fruit was accepted as an edible food, it was grown only for its appealing ornamental qualities.

During the 16th and17th centuries, English, Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese explorers sailed to distant lands and discovered fruits and vegetables that they had never seen or eaten before. When they returned to their homelands with these new foods, some were readily accepted, many were not. Eggplant's nightshade connections rendered it a food of suspicious nature.

By the middle of the 1500's Southern Europe was introduced to the eggplant, but the meeting was not a friendly one at first. The strange fruits were thought to be dangerous. Eggplant's acceptance as an edible food came about a century later.

Though eggplant was little known in the average household of the mid 1800's, it was one of President Andrew Johnson's favorite foods, especially Stuffed Eggplant Spanish Style. Prepared for intimate gatherings, the eggplant was first halved and the flesh chopped. The stuffing was a combination of tomatoes, onions, breadcrumbs, and celery, and seasoned with basil butter, salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar. Before they were served, the eggplants were garnished with overlapping fresh tomato slices.