Quick Answer: What Are The Best Ways To Tell If Eggplant Is Bad?
There are 4 ways about how to tell if an eggplant is bad. The first is by feeling it. If it is shriveled, slimy and soft, it is bad. The second way is by looking at it. If it has a bad smell, it is bad. If it has dark or brown spots, it is bad. Finally, if it has fuzzy, white spots, it is bad.
Getting enough veggies into your diet is imperative to a healthy lifestyle, but if you open the pantry door and those veggies are giving off red flags, we’d definitely be reconsidering eating them.
If you’re not careful, eggplant can quickly go past its prime and turn your fridge into a whole hot mess.
When eggplant is good, it’s fresh, vibrant purple and glossy. In this state, eggplant is extremely healthy and full of fiber and antioxidants, as well as vitamin C and A.
However, when eggplant turns rotten, all of these health benefits disappear and you are left with nothing but spoiled food.
Although there are obvious signs of spoilage, when eggplant initially goes bad, it may be difficult to identify whether or not it has actually expired.
In today’s fast-paced society, life is too busy to have to worry about possibly eating rotten food (not to mention the ailments you may contract post-eating), which is exactly why we are here to share with you 4 foolproof ways of being able to recognize spoiled eggplant.
If your eggplant passes any of the following texture, smell, color or mold tests, it has likely gone bad and we would highly recommend not consuming it.
How To Tell If Your Eggplant Is Bad: Texture?
If you have suspicions that your eggplant may be past its prime, a great indicator of this is the texture.
Eggplant has a very distinctive texture, so if any of the following are visible, it’s best to throw it away.
| Indicator | Description |
| Softness | When an eggplant is in its best state, it will have shiny, firm skin. To know whether or not your eggplant passes this test, press down on it gently and wait and see if it bounces back slightly. The flesh of a good eggplant will give a little when pressed. An eggplant that has turned rotten will not and is very soft to the touch. |
| Shriveled/wrinkles | When the eggplant starts to go bad, another indicator is if you see any signs of wrinkles or shriveled spots. The skin of a healthy eggplant will appear tight and smooth (humans and vegetables have a lot more in common than we realized). |
| Sliminess | When it comes to texture, a third indicator of spoilage on eggplants is whether or not it feels slimy. A healthy eggplant should be dry and not at all moist on the exterior. |
How To Tell If Your Eggplant Is Bad: Smell?
When it comes to identifying whether or not food has gone bad, the most common indicator is smell.
Have you ever opened your fridge and almost got knocked over by an extremely unpleasant odor?
If this happens, it’s a good idea to find the root cause of it. If you suspect it might be your eggplant, take a look at the following indicators.
| Indicator | Description |
| Unpleasant smell | When eggplant is in its prime, it should smell pleasant, fresh and earthy. If you open your fridge and are greeted by a pungent, bad odor, it’s likely time to get rid of your eggplant. Remember, eggplant does have a slightly vegetal and mild earthy flavor, so if it smells like this, it’s okay to eat. If you’re still feeling unsure, look for some of the other indicators, such as the texture, color, or whether or not mold is present. |
| Bugs | Eggplants that have gone bad will often attract bugs due to the smell, so if there are any insects in the vicinity, this is a good sign your eggplant has gone bad. |
How To Tell If Your Eggplant Is Bad: Color?
After smell, the second most obvious indicator of rotten veggies is appearance.
When you look at your eggplant and your instincts are telling you that something is off visually, you’re probably right.
The color, in particular, will be a sure sign of this. For further reassurance, check out these indicators:
| Indicator | Description |
| Dullness | Eggplants are vibrant and shiny in their best state, so if you’re observing any dullness in either the stem or the base, this is a good sign your eggplant has gone bad. |
| Color | When the eggplant goes dull, you will also notice the color starting to fade. At the base, eggplants come in a deep or bright, purple hue. If this color has lost some of its vibrance, your eggplant may be bad. The same applies to the stem of the eggplant. The stem normally appears green and fresh. If it is starting to rot, it will also lose some of this vibrance. The exterior is not the only part of the eggplant that can indicate a spoiled eggplant. The inside of an eggplant is typically white. If you notice any brown or dark spots in the interior flesh part, you may want to consider throwing it away (however, if the spots are minimal, you can also eat the parts around them). It’s important to keep in mind that the flesh of eggplants can turn brown in color when exposed to the air. If you cut open your eggplant and this occurs after a short period, this is totally normal and safe to eat. On the other hand, if you cut it open and you immediately notice it’s brown, it’s likely rotten and you should avoid eating it. At the end of the day, it’s up to your best judgment. If you’re still feeling unsure, look for some of the other indicators, such as the texture, smell, or whether or not mold is present. |
RELATED: 14 Ideal Side Dishes To Serve With Eggplant Parmesan
How To Tell If Your Eggplant Is Bad: Mold?
Hopefully, your eggplant never reaches this state. If it does, don’t worry. We’ve all been there- you haven’t cleaned out the fridge in a while and food gets lost in the abyss that is the back of the crisper drawer.
You start to notice a strong odor and decide it’s time to go on a hunt to identify where the smell is coming from. And that’s when you discover it. A shriveled lump of something that once resembled food, is now covered in mold.
Mold is extremely unhealthy and, when consumed, can make you very sick. If you’re not sure whether or not the spots on your eggplant are moldy, the indications in the following chart may be able to help you.
| Indicator | Description |
| Mold spots | As mentioned in the previous sections, the base of the eggplant should be vibrant purple and the stem, a healthy green. When your eggplant begins to go bad, both parts may start to develop mold. This will appear in the form of gray or white fuzzy spots and should not be consumed under any circumstances. When the flesh of the eggplant has really past its prime, the mold may even become plagued with black spots. When this happens, it’s important to discard it immediately. NOTE: While it is unsafe to consume areas that are moldy, if only a small section of your eggplant is black or fuzzy, simply cut these parts out and use the rest. A good rule to follow is to cut out the moldy parts as well as a 1-inch parameter around the mold to ensure you’re not eating any contaminated areas. However, if the mold is spread out all over the vegetable, we highly recommend throwing it away (if you’re unsure, it’s best not to risk it). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does A Ripe Eggplant Look Like?
In the world of vegetables, eggplants definitely have to be one of the most aesthetic looking.
When eggplants are ripe, they come in a beautiful (almost regal looking) deep or bright purple hue. They are smooth, shiny and firm to the touch.
The interior of the eggplant is equally as impressive and consists of a whitish-green flesh with flecks of seeds.
If you cut open your eggplant and immediately see brown areas, it likely indicates that it has already started to go bad and you’re better off throwing it away (unless it is just a small area, then you might be able to salvage it).
How Long Does Eggplant Last?
Being aware of how long your eggplant will last in the fridge is a great way to prevent it from expiring.
After purchasing eggplant at the store, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
One of the great things about eggplant is that it doesn’t have to be stored in the fridge and can be left at room temperature for 2-3 days.
In the freezer, however, if stored properly, eggplant can last up to 8-12 months.
This estimate may vary slightly, depending on how fresh the eggplant is from the store, so it’s good to check on it daily to ensure it isn’t starting to go bad.
How To Pick Eggplants In The Store?
Choosing the right eggplant at the grocery store (or farmer’s market, if that’s more your kind of thing) will help to ensure that your eggplant has the longest shelf life possible.
There are several indicators to be aware of when deciding on what broccoli to buy:
- The base of the eggplant should be dark or bright purple, fresh and free from any shriveling or wrinkles.
- The stem should possess a bright green, fresh appearance.
- The eggplant should be smooth, glossy and firm.
- The eggplant should be free from any strange odors.
How Do You Store Eggplants?
Storing your eggplant correctly is critical for allowing it to stay fresh for as long as possible.
There are 3 main ways you can store eggplant:
- Room Temperature: eggplants actually survive really well when kept in a space at room temperature. If you decide to store your vegetable this way, just make sure it is kept out of direct sunlight and away from fruits such as tomatoes, apples, melons, bananas, or peaches. These foods produce a gas known as ethylene and will cause your eggplant to go bad more quickly.
- The perfect place to store the eggplant this way would be in a pantry in either a paper bag or basket.
- In The Fridge: the best way to store your eggplant is at room temperature but if keeping it in the fridge is a must for you, wrap it up loosely in plastic wrap and store it in the vegetable crisper. It’s very important that you don’t keep eggplant in a sealed container or plastic bag as this will create moisture and cause the eggplant to go bad more quickly.
- Never cut up your eggplant for the purpose of storing it this way. Due to an enzymatic process, the eggplant will brown very quickly and won’t be very pleasant to consume.
- In The Freezer: storing your eggplant in the freezer requires a process called “blanching.” Here’s how to do it:
- Cut eggplant into small pieces
- Boil a large pot of hot water
- Place eggplant pieces in the hot water with a little lemon juice and cook for 2-3 minutes
- Immediately place in an ice bath
- Remove eggplant pieces and pat dry
- Store in a plastic freezer bag for up to 8-12 months (we highly recommend jotting down the date on the bag, so you don’t forget how old they are)
How To Cook Eggplant?
Eggplant can be cooked in a variety of ways, including
- Sauteed
- Grilled
- Fried
- Roasted
- Breaded and eaten with your favorite dip
- In a stir fry with other veggies
Really, the possibilities are endless!
Is It Okay To Eat Eggplant That Is Brown Inside?
The inside of an eggplant is typically white. If you notice any brown or dark spots in the interior flesh part, you may want to consider throwing it away (however, if the spots are minimal, you can also eat the parts around them).
It’s important to keep in mind that the flesh of eggplants can turn brown in color when exposed to the air. If you cut open your eggplant and this occurs after a short period, this is totally normal and safe to eat.
- A good rule to follow is to cut out the brown parts as well as a 1-inch parameter around these spots to ensure you’re not eating any contaminated areas.
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
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