Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Black Beauty' Eggplant
 
Sub-Category: Midseason
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Heirloom. Midseason type. 8- to 10-inch by 4- to 6-inch purple-black fruit on tall, sturdy, upright plants. About 70 to 80 days to maturity.
Days To Maturity: 70-80
Seed Sources: Burpee Seeds - updated in 2016
Park Seed - updated in 2016
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - updated in 2016
Bonnie Plant Farm - updated in 2016
BBBseed - updated in 2016
Western Wonder, LLC - updated in 2016

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (3.2 Stars)Overall
Taste: (3.8 Stars)Taste
Yield: (2.7 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (3.1 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 15

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KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 01/16/2021 by v_gardener - An intermediate gardener

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Westchester, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

The Black Beauty Eggplant is a fast growing eggplant variety for its size. Its skin is dark purple and grew nicely in my small suburban garden. Although the taste was excellent when roasted, each plant\'s yield was nowhere near the other eggplant variety I was growing - Green Knight. I got one or two per black beauty plant (this could be more if I had a longer growing season), and I got 7 from one green knight plant (this also could be more if I had a longer growing season).
 

Reviewed on 11/30/2017 by Susan-CCESchuyler - An experienced gardener

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Schuyler, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

out of 3 plants only produced one fruit
 

Reviewed on 10/12/2017 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

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Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Planted 5/16/17. Crowded conditions, not much yield.
 

Reviewed on 08/14/2012 by salmon - An experienced gardener

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Florence, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

One of my gardening partners always buys several plants of this variety and I\'m always disappointed on the yield This year it\'s been unusually hot and they still haven\'t produced a thing. I have another variety next to them (Ichiban) that has produced nicely. The few that I\'ve managed to harvest in past years grow large, require peeling and have excellent flavor.
 

Reviewed on 08/25/2010 by rick10 - An experienced gardener

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Hamilton, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Disappointing yield. First year grown but will not take up space again. A hybrid variety in the same area produced non-stop, identical conditions. Hot summer for Cincinnati - consistent 90's.
 

Reviewed on 07/30/2010 by gandle - An experienced gardener

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Dawson, Nebraska, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Tried many varieties and always come back to this one. We love stuffed eggplant and have never found a better one for stuffing
 

Reviewed on 03/28/2009 by Collards - An intermediate gardener

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Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Were not as productive as I had hoped for, but my tomato plants overtook them midseason. This year am planning to grow them in self-watering containers and see if the constant moisture and better airflow help.
 

Reviewed on 01/19/2009 by LongIsland - An experienced gardener

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Suffolk, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I planted this type 2 seasons. I started the seeds indoors. Many seedlings did not survive. Some of the plants did not fruit. The 2 plants that did well produced fruit continuously from mid to late summer. Very good taste, even though the skin was a bit tough. Last season I planted it in front yard, as it's an attractive plant and requires full sun and lots of heat.
 

Reviewed on 10/20/2008 by Grit - An intermediate gardener

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Coffee, Alabama, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Planted from transplants after the soil has warmed this variety has been a great performer for me. The fruits are smaller after the first set but produce all summer. They are great sliced thin, dusted with cornmeal and fried.
 

Reviewed on 02/03/2008 by Luffa Zar - An experienced gardener

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Dane, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I've grown this type for thee seasons now, two of the three I have had very high yeilds. Plant really likes the heat, and need to be staked or caged to support the multiple branching stalks and heavy fruits. A good start indoors and transplanted out mid June works well for me.
 

Reviewed on 05/12/2006 by farmerdill - An experienced gardener

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Richmond, Georgia, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is a reliable old market cultivar. It is open pollinated and does not yield to the level of the newer hybrids. The large eggplants do need to be peeled and this one is no exception. I prefer the thin skinned Japanese types, but always grow a few of these as some folks prefer the traditional type. Has less flavor than the Asian types.
 

Reviewed on 04/03/2006 by Booberry85 - An intermediate gardener

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Onondaga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

The first year I grew these (3 years ago) they did well. I haven't had luck with them since. I think the season may be too cool and too wet to grow them effectively in upstate NY.
 

Reviewed on 12/28/2005 by Miss_Mudcat - An intermediate gardener

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Indiana, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I am not a vegetable peeler, but I found that this one had a tough skin and had to be peeled. The taste was SUPERB! Yields were good, not great. I haven't decided if I'll grow this one again because there are so many varieties to try!
 

Reviewed on 12/12/2005 by Paani - An experienced gardener

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St. Louis City, Missouri, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Excellent germination. Hardy plant; average yield. Fruits were blemish free with superior taste and texture. Found them to be versatile: well suited for both Italian and Middle Eastern eggplant dishes. Even plants grown in partial shade produced reliably, though with lesser yield. Will plant again. Grown in MO.
 

Reviewed on 12/16/2004 by BPippin - An experienced gardener

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Ontario, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Tried this for first time in 2004. It was okay, but lower yields than Classic were disappointing.
 




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