Japanese Water Eggplant (E-Tender Eggplant)
E-Tender Eggplant, also known as a Japanese "water eggplant," is a truly special addition to the home garden. Unlike most eggplants, which are typically cooked, E-Tender is bred to be so tender and mild that it can be enjoyed raw right off the plant! In Japan, these “mizunasu” eggplants are a delicacy often sliced into salads or lightly pickled to enjoy their refreshing taste.
- This is an annual hybrid seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11.
- Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
- Keep nitrogen minimal to avoid over foliage and low fruit.
E-Tender Eggplant, also known as a Japanese "water eggplant," is a truly special addition to the home garden. Unlike most eggplants, which are typically cooked, E-Tender is bred to be so tender and mild that it can be enjoyed raw right off the plant! In Japan, these “mizunasu” eggplants are a delicacy often sliced into salads or lightly pickled to enjoy their refreshing taste.
- This is an annual hybrid seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11.
- Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
- Keep nitrogen minimal to avoid over foliage and low fruit.
E-Tender Eggplant, also known as a Japanese "water eggplant," is a truly special addition to the home garden. Unlike most eggplants, which are typically cooked, E-Tender is bred to be so tender and mild that it can be enjoyed raw right off the plant! In Japan, these “mizunasu” eggplants are a delicacy often sliced into salads or lightly pickled to enjoy their refreshing taste.
- This is an annual hybrid seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11.
- Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
- Keep nitrogen minimal to avoid over foliage and low fruit.
Growing Instructions
Growing Japanese eggplant is similar to other eggplants. For best results, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost or cold snap. Eggplants need a long warm season (typically not a problem in Zones 9-11!). They are typically transplanted (and not direct sown) after nights are reliably above 55°. Choose a spot with full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Amend the soil with compost or fertilizer before planting since eggplants are fairly heavy feeders. Space plants about 18"-24" apart. They will grow 24"-36" feet tall with a branching form. It’s a good idea to water at the base to avoid wetting foliage, and consider using row covers early on to protect young plants from flea beetles and other pests. As the name implies, "water eggplant" appreciates steady moisture, so keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.
Harvest, Storage, and Use
E-Tender eggplants mature fairly early with about 65 days between transplant and first harvest. You'll know they're ready when the fruits are about the size of a softball or a bit smaller, with smooth, glossy purple skin. It's important to harvest eggplants while the skin is shiny as dull skin can indicate overripeness. Use pruners or a sharp knife to cut the stem above the fruit. Store harvested eggplants in a cool spot and use them within a week for best flavor.
These eggplants are best used fresh. Simply slice one into a salad as you would a cucumber or tomato. Since the skin is thin and tender, there no need to peel or prepare it. A drizzle of vinaigrette or a pinch of salt will enhance its delicate, sweet flavor. Another popular way to enjoy E-Tender is to lightly pickle the slices in a salt brine for a few hours. Of course, you can also cook E-Tender just like any other eggplant: grill it, stir-fry it, or drop it into a curry. It holds its shape well and has a creamy texture when cooked. Because the flesh isn't bitter, there's no need for the salting and rinsing song and dance that some eggplant recipes call for.
| 👍 Good companions | Onions and chives (repel aphids/spider mites), brassicas (kale, mustard greens, broccoli, etc.), tomatoes and peppers (similar needs, diversify garden), beans/peas (fix nitrogen for heavy-feeding eggplant), lettuce/spinach (grow in eggplant’s shade), dill and oregano (attract pollinators and repel pests), marigolds (reduce nematodes) | ||
| 👎 Bad companions | Melons, pumpkins, zucchini, squash, corn, cucumbers (compete for nutrients), fennel (stunts growth), geranium (can carry a pathogen harmful to eggplant) | ||
| Growing zones | 5-11 | Crop type | Annual |
| Crop difficulty | Mid | Seed type | Hybrid |
| Sowing method | Transplant | Containers? | Large / Bed |
| Sun req. | Full Sun | Ideal soil temp. | 80-90°F |
| Days to germination | 10-15 days | Days to maturity | 60-70 days |
| Seed spacing | 2"-3" (thin to 18") | Row spacing | 24"-36" |
| Seed depth | 1/4" | Needs support? | No |