Top Brinjal Varieties in India and How to Grow Them

Brinjal, or eggplant, is a delightful vegetable that can transform any home garden into a productive and beautiful space. You can grow brinjals in a small balcony, terrace, or compact backyard – it’s incredibly rewarding. In this guide we will walk you through the top brinjal varieties perfect for growing in your home garden. Plus, there’s are some fun facts and a cool recipe at the end you might want to check out!

Top Brinjal Varieties for Home Gardens

1. Black Beauty

It is a popular heirloom variety known for its large, glossy, deep purple-black fruits. The fruits are oval or teardrop-shaped and grow to about 4–6 inches in diameter. They have a smooth and shiny skin, with creamy white, tender flesh inside.It is highly productive and yields fruits continuously throughout the growing season.

Flavor Profile: Rich flavour, excellent for roasting, grilling, stuffing, and making dishes like eggplant parmesan, curries, and dips.

Growing Tips:

• Container Size: Minimum of 14 inches deep.
• Soil: Fertile loamy soil with good drainage.
• Sunlight: Needs full sun (6-8 hours daily).
• Harvesting Time: About 70 days after planting.

2. Round Brinjal

A classic in Indian cuisine and gardening, the Round Brinjal is the quintessential eggplant that has graced kitchen gardens for generations. Its perfect spherical shape and deep purple color make it not just a culinary staple but also an ornamental addition to home gardens. This variety embodies the rich agricultural heritage of India, passed down through countless farming families. It is an excellent choice for first-time gardeners due to their compact size and consistent production. They thrive in containers and small raised beds, producing beautiful purple fruits that are perfect for home cooking.

Growing Tips:

• Container: Minimum 12-inch deep pot
• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix with pH 6.0-6.8
• Sunlight: Minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight
• Harvest: 90-100 days after transplanting

3. Green Long Brinjals

Breaking away from the traditional purple brinjal, the Green Long variety introduces a refreshing twist to Indian vegetable gardens. Originating from selective breeding programs focused on improving texture and flavor, this variety has quickly gained popularity among chefs and home cooks who appreciate its tender, less seedy flesh and vibrant green appearance. They’re particularly well-suited to container gardening and produce consistently throughout the growing season.

Growing Tips:

• Container depth: 14-16 inches
• Soil mix: Rich, well-draining potting mix
• Fertilizer: Organic compost every 4-6 weeks
• Harvesting: Every 3-4 days to encourage continuous production

4. Pusa Purple Long

Developed for home gardeners by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Purple Long offers excellent yields in small spaces. Its long, deep purple fruits are perfect for those looking to maximize production in limited garden areas. This variety adapts well to container gardening and provides consistent harvests.

Flavor Profile: Mild taste, excellent for curries and grilling.

Growing Tips:

• Container Size: 14-16 inches deep.
• Soil: Loamy soil enriched with compost.
• Sunlight: Full sun exposure is essential.
• Harvesting Time: Approximately 75 days after transplanting.

5. Pusa Purple Cluster

This variety features small, dark purple brinjals borne in clusters, making them easy to pick and ideal for home gardens.

Flavor Profile: Tender texture, perfect for stir-fries and curries.

Home Growing Tips:

• Container Size: 12 inches deep.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with good organic content.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sunlight.
• Harvesting Time: Around 70 days after planting.

6. Arka Nidhi

This high-yielding variety features medium-long glossy greenish-purple skin and is resistant to bacterial wilt, making it robust against diseases.

Flavor Profile: Tender flesh without bitterness; ideal for various cooking methods including frying and stewing.

Home Growing Tips:

• Container Size: At least a foot deep and wide.
• Soil: Well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter.
• Sunlight: Needs full sunlight for optimal growth (6–8 hours).
• Harvesting Time: About 75 days post-transplantation.

7. Azad Kranti

The Azad Kranti brinjal variety was developed at the C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology in Kalyanpur, Kanpur. It features uniformly thick, oblong fruits measuring 15-20 cm in length, with a dark purple skin and a shiny green calyx. The fruits are less seeded compared to other varieties, enhancing their culinary appeal.

Flavor Profile: Rich flavor with a firm texture.

Home Growing Tips:

• Container Size: Minimum of 14 inches deep.
• Soil: Well-drained sandy loam enriched with compost.
• Sunlight: Requires full sunlight for optimal growth.
• Harvesting Time: Approximately 70 days after sowing.

Pusa Safed Baingan-1

Pusa Safed Baingan-1 is the first white-colored oval-fruited brinjal variety developed through single plant selection from indigenous materials. It features smooth, glossy white skin and a tender texture, making it a popular choice among gardeners and chefs alike.

Flavor Profile: Known for its mild flavor and creamy texture, it makes tasty curries, stir-fries, and grilled dishes.

• Container Size: At least 14 inches deep.
• Soil: Well-drained sandy loam enriched with organic matter. Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 6.8.
• Sunlight: Requires full sunlight (6-8 hours daily).
• Harvesting Time: 70-80 days after sowing.

9.  Sarpan F1 Hybrid

This hybrid variety is recognized for its compact growth and high yield. It produces round fruits that are green-purple striped, making it visually appealing and a favorite for culinary uses.

Flavor Profile: Mild and versatile, suitable for various cooking methods.

Home Growing Tips:

• Container Size: 12-14 inches deep.
• Soil: Well-drained sandy loam enriched with organic matter.
• Sunlight: Requires full sunlight (6-8 hours daily).
• Harvesting Time: 70-80 days after sowing.

If you harvested a ton of brinjals from your garden using our tips, here’s a popular recipe you can try out.

Gutti Vankaya Curry Recipe

Gutti Vankaya Curry, is a traditional flavorful dish from the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions of India. It features stuffed brinjals in a rich and flavorful peanut and coconut-based gravy. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

Soak 8 small brinjals in a tsp of salt.

For Masala Paste

• 3 tbsp peanuts
• 2 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds (methi)
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 2 tbsp dry coconut, sliced
• 1 inch ginger, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ¼ onion, sliced
• 1 tomato
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt
• amla-sized tamarind soaked in a little water
• ¼ cup water (for blending)

For Cooking

• 3 tbsp oil (for frying)
• Additional spices: mustard seeds, curry leaves, and more chili powder as needed

How to Make Gutti Vankaya Curry

1. Cut the brinjals in an “X” shape from the base after removing the stalk. Soak them in salt water to prevent discoloration.
2. For the masala paste, in a pan, roast the peanuts until crisp. Add sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Roast until aromatic. Add the dry coconut and roast slightly. Allow the mixture to cool. Blend the roasted mixture with ginger, garlic, onion, tomato, chili powder, turmeric, and salt into a thick paste using water as needed.
3. To make the curry:
   • Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves.
   • Sauté an onion until it turns translucent.
   • Add in the brinjals (you can stuff some of the masala paste in the cut sections if you like) and sauté for a few minutes.
   • Cover and cook for about 2–4 minutes while stirring occasionally.
   • Add the masala paste ( or remaining masala) along with tamarind extract. Adjust consistency with water as needed.
   • Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the brinjals are tender.
4. Serve: This Gutti Vankaya Curry pairs well with rice or roti.

Did You Know? – Fun Facts About Brinjals

• Botanically, brinjals are classified as berries because they develop from a single flower and contain seeds.
• Brinjals are low in calories but high in fiber, making them a great choice for weight management and digestion.
• Brinjals are known as “aubergine” in Europe, “eggplant” in North America, and “baingan” or “vankaya” in India.
• According to Ayurveda, brinjal is considered a cooling vegetable that helps balance the body’s heat in warmer climates.
• The name “eggplant” originated because early European varieties were small, white, and egg-shaped.
• Some brinjal plants have tiny thorns on their stems or leaves, so be careful when harvesting!
• Brinjals are rich in antioxidants, particularly nasunin, found in the purple skin. Nasunin is known to protect brain cells from damage.
• In some cultures, brinjals are considered a symbol of prosperity and are gifted during festive occasions.

Conclusion

Growing brinjals in your home garden is not only a rewarding experience but also a way to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce all year round. With the wide range of the best brinjal varieties available in India, from the classic Black Beauty to the vibrant Green Long Brinjal, there’s something to suit every gardener’s needs. So, why wait? Start your brinjal garden today and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own vegetables.

Happy Gardening!