Itchy Eggplants

I like the flavor of eggplants a lot, but I seldom eat them because they give me an allergic reaction. My mouth and throat get real itchy for awhile, and that's not pleasant.

This year I'm growing the Ichiban variety for the first time (ha - "itchy", "Ichiban", I just noticed that). Ichiban is a Japanese eggplant that's elongated, not egg-shaped. I bought a couple of Bonnie Plant Farm plants which are growing well, and I've just looked up the variety on their web site.

One of the reviews there was written by a Japanese man who now lives in the U.S. He gives Ichiban a glowing review and he says it's the eggplant variety he grew up with in Japan. He also says he's allergic to "American" (round) eggplant, which make his throat itch, but he has no negative reactions when he eats Ichibans. Hmmm.

Now I've got some hope that I'll be able to enjoy these more. Does anyone here know anything about this?

Maybe Ichiban means it bans itching! chuckle.

Actually it is Japanese for Number One. Great eggplant. sweeter and more tasty than the Black beauty Types. True for many of the Asian type eggplants.

Be really cautious about trying things that give you such a reaction. The reaction can get more severe with each exposure, and it could result in an emergency room visit, or worse. :-(

"Be really cautious about trying things that give you such a reaction."
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Yes, I know that the body's response to such things can change. I've been "immune" to the toxic oil of poison ivy all my life - I've always bragged that I could probably lay down in a patch of it and take a nap with no ill effect. No more, apparently - I had a small area of poison ivy rash pop up on my arm already this spring. I know now what folks complain about, that stuff itches like crazy!

I'll try the Ichiban eggplants carefully, but I'm hoping that (like the one reviewer experienced) there's something different enough about that variety that I'll be able to eat them with no problem. If not I'll be giving a bunch of eggplants away.

Second the statement about reactions get worse with each exposure. You can get tested to see if it is an allergy.

I've not heard that there is an difference in allergy between eggplants types.Do you have problems with any of the other nightshade family?

I've had poison ivy reactions for the first time in a long time. Must be a worse spring for it.

I plant ichiban every year, i have 9 ichiban and and 6 slicing for my eggplant parmesan .

I will give you recipes when you have fruits.

Belle

Yeah. You can tell when poison ivy goes virulent, this spring may be worse since so many things we are allergic to are happening at the same time. Ichiban are good- hope they do well for you. My favorites are the long ones Ping Tung and Louisiana long green EP. Chuckl hope everyones itches stay small