Aubergine= berenjena = brinjal = garden egg =Asian eggplants = Oriental eggplants = pea eggplants =  Qiezi (Mandarin) = Ngai gwa (Cantonese)

There are numerous varieties of this wonderfully versatile vegetable, which is technically a fruit. Aubergine is actually native to tropical Asia, where it has been cultivated for mare than 2000 years. The most common type in Asia is the Asian or Japanese eggplants, is tubular rather than ovoid in shape and is usually straight or slightly curved, have thinner skins and more delicate flavor. They're usually more slender and tend to be smaller than western varieties, but they vary in size and shape and some are tiny. They range in color from lavender to pink, green and white.

There are spongy, milk -tasting vegetable that's meaty yet low in calories. The best eggplants are firm and shiny eggplants with unbroken skin. Male eggplants tend to have fewer seeds, and are therefore less bitter than female eggplants. To sex an eggplant, look at the indentation at bottom. If it's deep and shaped like a dash, it's a female. If it's shallow and round, it's a male. Smaller eggplants also tend to be less bitter. Freshness is important, so don't store them for very long.

Eggplant absorbs the flavors other ingredients like a sponge, and therefore benefits from being cooked with strongly flavored foods and seasonings, it can be stir-fried, deep-fried, stuffed and baked, braised, steamed, or served cold, but seldom eaten raw except in Thailand, where strips of very young eggplant are served like crudités, with spicy dips.

Chinese eggplant 

Compared to the familiar American eggplant, Chinese eggplants have thinner skins, a more delicate flavor, and not as many of the seeds that tend to make eggplants bitter

Filipino eggplant

garden eggs 

These are tiny eggplants, the size of an egg or smaller. Their color ranges from white to greenish-yellow.  

Indian eggplant
  
 

Japanese eggplant

Like other Asian eggplants, Japanese eggplants have thin skins, and a sweet,  delicate flavor. 

pea eggplants = Thai baby eggplants = makua puong = makheau phuang 

These tiny Thai eggplants are quite bitter.  They're sold in clusters and look like large green peas.  You can find them fresh in Thai markets, or buy them pickled in jars.
 

Thai eggplants 

These golf-ball sized eggplants are more bitter than American eggplants.  They come in different colors, but they're usually green mixed with yellow or white.  They're often used in hot chile or curry dishes.  Remove the bitter seeds before using.

White eggplant 

This eggplant has a tough skin but a more delicate flavor and firmer flesh than the American eggplant.