How to tell when an Eggplant goes bad?

People don't want to eat rotten eggplant.Is it safe to eat a slightly overripe eggplant?It's not the best idea because once eggplants reach their peak, they become bitter.It's important to know how to tell when eggplants are bad in order to make a good dish.You can learn how to properly store and pick good eggplants.

If the fruit is soft or squishy, or if the skin is wrinkly, it's rotting.If the stem is turning brown or developing mold, it's time to discard the eggplant.Is the eggplant brown?Don't use it if it's when you cut into it.

You should keep in mind that after you cut it, the flesh begins to oxidize.It's due to a process called enzymatic browning, which is common in fruits and veggies, and you've probably seen it when cutting apples or avocados.It's safe to eat and doesn't look appetizing.If the meat is already brown when you slice it, it's time to pay attention.

Look for eggplants that have vibrant, shiny, smooth, taut skin that's uniform in color as well as green, healthy-looking stems that aren't dried out, decaying or moldy.Pick it up, it should feel heavy for its size and firm, but not so hard that it doesn't give with a bit of pressure.You can inspect the eggplant for damage.

Large eggplants may be more bitter than smaller ones.The bigger they are, the more seeds they have.The seeds are the main source of bitterness.They start getting bitter after they peak.

Some people think it's better to store eggplant in the refrigerator or at room temperature.Room temperature seems to make more sense since it's a tropical plant and sensitive to cold.Three days at room temperature is how long escargots will hold up.They may last longer in the vegetable crisper in your fridge, but the taste and texture can still go downhill after a few days.

They need to breathe, so don't store the whole thing in sealed containers or bags.Hot temperatures are better than cold ones.If your kitchen gets hot, it's a good idea to store eggplants in a cabinet or pantry away from the range.Also, don't keep them too close to bananas, tomatoes, melons or other fruit that gives off a lot of ethylene while ripening, as this will cause an eggplant's decline.

It's better to store it rather than pre-cut it.It doesn't work with other produce, and even tricks like squirting it with lemon juice will not help it.