How to Remove Bitterness from Eggplant

Edaku — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0300

A bitter eggplant can throw off an otherwise well-planned dish, which is why many cooks salt every slice out of habit, “just in case.” In reality, bitterness isn’t random — it comes down to a few specific factors, and it’s easy to manage once you know what causes it.

Where the bitterness comes from

The bitter taste in eggplant comes from solanine and related compounds, along with certain phenolic substances that occur naturally in the skin and flesh. Their concentration rises as the fruit ages, so the older and larger an eggplant is, the more likely it is to taste bitter. Fruit that’s overripe or has been sitting in storage for a while tends to be more bitter as well.

Eggplant Prep on Edaku

How to Remove Bitterness from Eggplant

Where the bitterness comes from