{
  "id": 10030227,
  "title": "Before you buy baingan, press it: How to spot fresh brinjal at the market",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/before-you-buy-baingan-press-it-how-to-spot-fresh-brinjal-at-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T17:30:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/before-you-buy-baingan-press-it-how-to-spot-fresh-brinjal-at-the-market-10880558/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When selecting a fresh baingan (brinjal) at the market, it's crucial to perform a few simple checks. Press the vegetable gently to assess its firmness. A good-quality brinjal should feel firm but not rock hard. If the skin stays indented after gentle pressing, the brinjal is likely overripe or spoiling. Choose a baingan that bounces back to its original shape.\n\nExamine the skin closely. The skin should be smooth, shiny, and brightly colored, matching the variety's typical hue—purple, green, white, or striped. Avoid brinjals with cuts, bruises, cracks, holes, or discolored patches. Pay attention to the stem as well. It should be bright green, firm, and healthy-looking. If the stem appears brown, shriveled, or dry, the brinjal may have been harvested too early.\n\nWhile size doesn't always matter, smaller to medium-sized brinjals often contain fewer seeds and softer flesh than very large ones. Larger brinjals are more likely to be overripe and may have a bitter taste due to their seeds and spongy flesh. Avoid brinjals with wrinkles, brown spots, or dull skin, as these indicate moisture loss and aging. Minor blemishes don't necessarily mean the vegetable is unsafe but may affect texture and flavor.\n\nDiscard brinjals showing signs of spoilage, such as soft or mushy areas, deep cuts, cracks, mold growth, insect holes, leaking fluid, or a foul smell. Additionally, avoid those with an excessively wrinkled skin, severe discoloration, black patches, or a completely dry stem, as these suggest the vegetable is old and no longer fresh.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Press the brinjal gently to check firmness; good ones feel firm but not rock hard.",
    "Ensure the skin is smooth, shiny, and brightly colored matching the variety s hue.",
    "Choose smaller to medium-sized brinjals for fewer seeds and softer flesh."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
        "title": "Before you buy baingan, press it: How to spot fresh brinjal at the market",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/before-you-buy-baingan-press-it-how-to-spot-fresh-brinjal-at-the-10032683",
        "published": "2026-09-26T17:30:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}