When Is an Eggplant Ripe?

Skin

• The skin of an eggplant becomes glossy, bright and firm when it's ripe with a uniform color, usually deep purple. The skin should feel firm to the touch and spring back when pressed on gently. Once the skin turns dull, the eggplant is no longer good to eat. Purple varieties tend to turn bronze when over-mature and white varieties turn yellow. When the fruit becomes over-ripe it tastes bitter.

Seeds

• Seeds indicate when a eggplant is over-ripened. The fruit should have developed just a few small, light yellow seeds inside when it's ripe. An under-ripe eggplant will not have any signs of seeds. When the fruit is over-ripe, it develops several hard brownish black seeds.

Flesh

• When the eggplant is ripe, the flesh should look creamy and feel tender. The skin color is typically a white color, depending on the variety. Certain varieties may have a green flesh or a combination of green and white flesh.

Other Suggestions

• Harvest the fruit regularly to maintain continual fruit production. If your eggplant does over-ripen, save the seeds for next year's planting and dispose of the fruit. Most eggplant varieties mature in about 55 to 65 days. When fully ripened, an eggplant should measure about 6 to 9 inches long and have an egg shape.