Description/Taste
Cluster eggplants are small and round, about the size of a pea and one centimeter in diameter. These tiny fruits are arranged in clusters of ten to fifteen bunched together in a fashion similar to grapes, and as the fruits ripen their thin skin will turn from light green to yellow. The fruits grow on shrubs that can reach up to sixteen feet in height. The stems and leaves of the cluster eggplant are covered in fine hairs, and small hooked thorns, and the flowers of the plant are most often white. Each fruit can contain up to two hundred tiny, flat, brown, and edible seeds. Cluster eggplants range in flavor from bitter to tart when raw, and their texture is exceptionally crunchy. Once cooked they will take on a soft quality and the bitter flavor is minimized.

Nutritional Value
Cluster eggplants are an excellent source of iron, calcium, and manganese.

Cluster eggplants are used in both raw and cooked preparations. When fresh, they are popularly used in nam prik kapee, a chili, and shrimp paste blend commonly made in Thailand. They can also be pickled, dried, or served raw with dipping sauces. Cluster eggplants can be grilled, braised, added to curries, soups, and stews, or tossed whole or chopped into stir-fries. To cut the bitterness. Cluster eggplants can be boiled briefly before use. Cluster eggplants pair well with mint, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, curry paste, rice, yams, and meats such as poultry and beef. Cluster eggplants will keep for up to three days when stored in a cool and dry place.

Cluster eggplants are available year-round with peak season during the summer months.