Eggplant or aubergine is a native of India, where it has been cultivated for several thousand years. It is a member of the same plant family as tomatoes and potatoes. Eggplants are short perennial plants that are often grown as annuals.

The fruit is eaten as a vegetable. It is usually boiled, fried or stuffed. It is used in Indian curries and in many traditional dishes of the Mediterranean region, such as "moussaka" and "baba ghanoush."Eggplants are rich in the mineral potassium, which protects the heart by regulating blood pressure. They also contain terpenes, phytonutrients that may help deactivate hormones that can cause tumors.