Ichiban Eggplant Varieties

Ichiban eggplants are long and slender with dark purple skins.

Eggplants can range in size from small as a peanut to the very long Ichiban. They also vary in color such as the pale white Ghostbuster or the near ebony Ichiban. Since it was first cultivated in Japan, Ichiban is often referred to as Japanese-style eggplant.

Features

Ichiban eggplants grow up to 10 inches long and are covered in dark purple skin that is almost black. The plant will grow up to 3 feet tall and wide in full sunlight.

Growing

Ichiban eggplants prefer warm weather, but will continue to produce fruit in the cool fall even after other eggplant varieties slow or cease fruit production. They should be ready to harvest within 50 to 70 days of transplant. Ichiban eggplant is an early fruiting variety, according to Cornell University's eggplant growing guide.

Cooking

Ichiban eggplants are thin-skinned with sweet, mild flesh. They are well suited for grilling and oven roasting, but their thin skin does not always stand up in stir fries.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Eggplant
• Bonnie Plants: Ichiban Japanese Eggplant
• Cornell University: Eggplant