10 Things You Didn’t Know About Brinjals

Brinjals, more commonly known in South Africa as eggplants, are beautiful purple rounds. Used in cuisine all over the world, they have a very tangy, unique flavor to go with their gorgeous shapes and colours. Here are some fun facts about brinjals that you might not know.

• Despite what many people believe, brinjals are actually fruits and not vegetables. They are a member of the berry family.

• Eggplants are related to both the tomato and the potato

• Just like with many other fruits and vegetables, the first known records of cultivation and use of brinjals was in Egypt.

• Brinjals come in a variety of colours, including white, yellow, red, green and purple, which are the most common. They also come in different shapes.

• Brinjals are an excellent source of dietary fibre, vitamin B1 and copper. It is also a great source of manganese, potassium, vitamin B and vitamin K.

• Brinjals help build strong bones, reduce the symptoms of anemia and increase cognition. They also improve cardiovascular health and protect our digestive systems.

• Brinjals are good for weight loss and don’t contain many calories. It also helps manage diabetes, reduce stress and protects infants from birth defects.

• Due to its texture and bulk, brinjal is sometimes used as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes.

• In some Chinese traditions, as part of her “bride price,” a woman must have at least 12 brinjal recipes prior to her wedding day.

• A brinjal is almost 95% water.

At Anat we love both the taste of brinjals and the nutritional value they have, which is why we incorporate them into our dishes. Try some next time you are at one of our stores. You won’t regret it!