Thai eggplants — small round fruits widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine. They have a firm texture, a slight natural bitterness, and the ability to maintain their shape during cooking. Because of this, they are often added to curries, soups, and spicy salads.
Unlike large purple varieties, Thai eggplants are consumed both cooked and slightly crunchy, which adds extra texture to dishes. They fit well into low-carb diets due to their moderate carbohydrate content and high nutritional value.
Features and Varieties
Thai eggplants belong to the species Solanum melongena but differ in compact size and a variety of colors:
- green round — the most common, used in curries;
- white-green striped — milder in taste;
- yellowish — more mature fruits with a pronounced texture;
- pea eggplants — miniature fruits used in spicy pastes.
Their flesh is firm, with a small number of seeds. When cooked, they retain their shape and absorb the aroma of spices.
Nutritional Value
Per 100 g of fresh product, there are approximately:
- calories — about 20–25 kcal;
- proteins — about 1 g;
- fats — less than 0.5 g;
- carbohydrates — 5–6 g;
- fiber — about 2 g.
The glycemic index is low, and the glycemic load is minimal for a standard serving.
Anthocyanins and phenolic compounds provide antioxidant properties.
Culinary Use
Thai eggplants are traditionally used in combination with coconut milk, curry pastes, chili, and fish sauce. They can be added whole or cut into quarters.
Cooking methods:
- stewing in green or red curry;
- stir-frying with garlic and chili;
- adding to coconut-based soups;
- marinating and lightly blanching for salads.
To reduce natural bitterness, the fruits can be soaked in salted water for 20–30 minutes.
Thai Eggplants in a Keto Diet
Due to their moderate carbohydrate content and high satiety, Thai eggplants are suitable for a keto diet. They add volume and texture to dishes without significantly increasing the carbohydrate load.
The optimal serving size is 100–150 g within the overall daily carbohydrate limit.
Thai eggplants combine exotic flavor, low calorie content, and functional value, making them an interesting ingredient for diversifying the diet and creating rich, aromatic dishes.
