Sweet Red African Eggplant

Most Americans have only ever encountered and eaten Asian eggplants (Solanum melongena) and their many diverse forms. Another important eggplant species has been almost totally overlooked in gardens- the African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum). In a lot of African cuisine, as well as other parts of the world, African eggplants play a very important role.

Some years ago we observed a “Jilo” Brazilian type African eggplant live for multiple years, including coming back from the roots after freezing temps. The semi-perennial nature of this species has encouraged us to keep growing it. Over the last few years we have grown a number of types of African eggplant. For some reason they tend to grow acceptably and bloom, but hardly set fruit. Sweet Red eggplant grew well and had good fruit set. We don’t know the possible longevity of this variety yet in Florida conditions but it’s possible the plant may go a full year or even several, a much longer lifespan than is typically seen from Asian eggplants. Production is lower and takes longer to start, but can hopefully provide a trickle of production over a longer span of time. Our 2024 eggplant trial got hit by two hurricanes, which both knocked them all over. This was the only variety that tolerated being staked back up twice and went on to produce.

We originally purchased Sweet Red from Seed Savers Exchange, who points out that it originated from a Hmong person. The Hmong are an ethnic minority in some southeast Asian countries. African Eggplants are famous for their bitterness, which is appreciated in the cuisines where they are eaten. Sweet Red only has a light bitterness when cooked green. I tend to not appreciate bitter foods but found these quite enjoyable to eat, being a pretty different vegetable than Asian eggplant. When I served it to a family member, she insisted there was no detectable bitterness.

We don’t especially like the name “Sweet Red” given that African eggplants are typically eaten when green, not when they are ripe and red. As for sweetness, one can see how the green fruit may be described this way. Fruits are small and eaten unripe around the size of a ping pong ball.

30 seeds