What are the latest storage methods for eggplant?

Eggplant is one of the main vegetable varieties in summer and autumn in our country. Every summer and autumn, because eggplant comes onto the market in large quantities, it often causes unsalable stock. Once it is unsalable, spoilage occurs, so good storage methods must be mastered to reduce losses. So how should eggplant be stored well? Let us learn about it together.

1. Storage selection

Eggplant does not store well. During storage, various disease spots often appear on the fruit surface, along with rotting of the fruit stalk, sepals and fruit. Therefore, eggplants selected for storage are generally mid-to-late stage fruits of late-maturing varieties. At the same time, choose excellent late-maturing varieties with low moisture content in the flesh, tender flesh, few seeds, relatively thick skin, uniform fruit shape and disease resistance, and medium-sized fruits growing in the middle part of the plant.

2. Plastic bag storage

Put the selected eggplants into high-density polyethylene bags, seal them or leave the bag opening open. With 10%-20% oxygen inside the bag, carbon dioxide rising to about 1%, ethylene content below 0.1 mg/L, and temperature maintained at 13°C, they can be stored for about 4 weeks while maintaining their original taste and freshness.

3. Cellar storage

Choose a area with higher terrain and good drainage and dig a trench. Generally the trench is about 1.2 m deep, and the length and width are determined by the storage amount. Leave an exit at one end of the pit, and leave an air hole on each of the east and west sides. Cover the top around the pit with corn stalks, then add 12 cm of soil.  Before storage, choose medium-sized eggplant fruits with no mechanical injury, no insect injury and no disease and pre-store them in a cool place, then put them into the cellar after the temperature drops. When putting them into the cellar, place the fruit stalks downward and stack them layer by layer. The fruit stalks of the second layer of fruit should be inserted into the gaps of the first layer of fruit to prevent piercing the eggplants. Cover the top layer with a sheet of kraft paper, block the pit opening, keep the temperature inside the pit at 5-8°C, maintain the temperature at about 5°C, and they can be stored for 40-50 days.

4. Cold storage

Advances in technology have also brought various conveniences to everyone's life. Eggplant can also be stored in cold storage; simply adjust the temperature well, and generally it can be stored for 2-3 months. This is also currently the main storage method.

The above is an introduction to eggplant storage methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.