How to Tell When an Eggplant Has Gone Bad

An eggplant is technically a berry, although it is typically prepared and eaten like a savory vegetable. It has a slightly bitter taste and a hearty texture, which makes it useful as a main dish or meat replacement. If you eat an eggplant that has gone bad, it will have an overly bitter, unpleasant taste and a hard texture. Fortunately, you can examine an eggplant's appearance for clues that will let you know if it has gone bad so you don't have to suffer through an unpleasant dish.

Things You'll Need

• Eggplant
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board

Instructions

1. Inspect the color of the eggplant's skin. If it has patches that are either light brown or slightly darker than the rest of eggplant, it is most likely starting to go bad. Make sure the eggplant skin's texture is smooth with no wrinkles.

2. Examine the eggplant's stem. A lightly browned stem instead of a glossy green stem may indicate the eggplant is starting to age and may be decaying on the inside.

3. Push your index finger gently into the side of the eggplant. If your fingers sink into it and the eggplant doesn't spring back, it has most likely gone bad. Fresh eggplant has a more springy texture if you press into it.

4. Slice the eggplant lengthwise with a sharp knife. Inspect the inside of the eggplant--fresh eggplant will have a light-colored inner flesh with not many seeds, while spoiled eggplant will have a very dark and hard inner flesh with multiple seeds.

Tips & Warnings

• If you think your eggplant will go bad before you have time to eat it, slice it into thin pieces and boil it for about three minutes, then place the slices into a freezer bag or airtight container--eggplant will keep in your freezer for up to six months.

• Never store eggplant at any temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or it will go bad more quickly.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Eggplant
• Fine Cooking: Eggplant
• University of Minnesota Extension: Simple and Successful Vegetable Farming