EatBetterEatBetter
Foods ▾
Ready & Packaged FoodsVegetables & LegumesDesserts & ConfectioneryMeat & ProteinGrains & BakeryBeveragesMilk & DairyNatural & Other Foods

Ready & Packaged Foods

All →
Fast Food & RestaurantBurgers · Pizza · Doner & Wrap · Fried Sides · Restaurant Menu Items

Explore foods by category, subcategory or brand

CompareBrands
Tools ▾

Calorie Calculator

Work out your daily calorie needs

BMI Calculator

Body mass index from your height and weight

Food GuideCompareBlog
TR
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Small, round scarlet eggplants with glossy red-orange skin, pronounced vertical ribs, and leafy green caps.
●Low GI
★Natural

Scarlet eggplant Calories

Low-calorie, fiber-containing bitter vegetable with vitamin C and potassium.

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn

CALORIES · 100 G

27kcal

GI

15low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

220mg

FIBER · 100 G

2.8g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Scarlet eggplant (35 g) has 9 calories. That works out to 27 calories per 100 g. It contains 2.2 g of carbs, 0.4 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat and 1 g of fiber. Its 4.2 mg of Vitamin C covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Scarlet eggplant Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 35 g

9

KCAL / 35G

Carbs

2.2g

· 1% DV

Protein

0.4g

· 1% DV

Fat

0.1g

· 0% DV

Fiber

1g

· 4% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 78% · Protein 14% · Fat 8%

Scarlet eggplant nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (35 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories9 kcal
Total fat0.1 g0%
Saturated fat0.01 g0%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium0.7 mg0%
Total carbohydrate2.2 g1%
Fiber1 g4%
Protein0.4 g1%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

EatBetter

Log this food in EatBetter

100,000+ people use it

  • Get your daily calorie target
  • Snap your meal, log it in seconds
  • See every vitamin and mineral
QR code to get the EatBetter app

📸 Scan the code to get the app free.

The EatBetter app recognising potatoes, broccoli and salmon on a plate

How Many Calories in 1 Medium Scarlet eggplant?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (medium)35 g9 kcal
1 piece (small)20 g5 kcal
1 piece (large)50 g14 kcal
1 serving (small)80 g22 kcal
1 cup (chopped)90 g24 kcal
100 g100 g27 kcal
1 serving (medium)150 g41 kcal
1 serving (large)220 g59 kcal

Calculated from 27 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scarlet eggplant

What is scarlet eggplant?

Scarlet eggplant, also called jiló, is a small green fruit used as a vegetable and known for its bitter taste. It belongs to the nightshade family and is especially popular in Brazilian cooking.

What does scarlet eggplant taste like?

Scarlet eggplant tastes distinctly bitter, with a mild, grassy quality. Its bitterness varies between fruits, and cooking softens the flavor without removing the characteristic bitter edge.

How do you cook scarlet eggplant?

Scarlet eggplant can be sautéed, fried, roasted, or simmered. Trim and slice it, then cook until tender; garlic, onion, and tomato are common flavor partners that complement its bitterness.

Why is scarlet eggplant so bitter?

Scarlet eggplant is naturally bitter, and that flavor is part of what distinguishes it from familiar globe eggplant. Individual fruits can taste more or less bitter depending on their variety and maturity.

How can you make scarlet eggplant less bitter?

To mellow scarlet eggplant, slice it, salt the pieces briefly, then rinse and pat them dry before cooking. Frying or cooking it with onion and tomato can also balance its bitter taste.

Can you eat scarlet eggplant raw?

Yes, scarlet eggplant is edible raw, but it is usually more bitter and firm than when cooked. Wash it, trim the ends, and try thin slices in a salad if you want to taste it uncooked.

How is scarlet eggplant different from regular eggplant?

Scarlet eggplant is a different type of nightshade from the large, purple eggplant commonly sold in supermarkets. It is typically small and green, with a much more pronounced bitterness and firmer texture.

How is scarlet eggplant used in Brazilian food?

In Brazil, scarlet eggplant is often sautéed or fried and served as a side dish. It is commonly cooked with garlic or onion and can accompany rice, beans, and meat.

How do you choose fresh scarlet eggplant?

Choose scarlet eggplant with firm, glossy skin and no soft spots, shriveling, or decay. Smaller fruits may be less bitter, though bitterness varies and size alone cannot guarantee a mild flavor.

Can you freeze scarlet eggplant?

Yes, scarlet eggplant can be frozen, though it will be softer after thawing. Wash and slice it, briefly blanch the pieces, cool and drain them well, then freeze in an airtight container.

Scarlet eggplant Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin C

4.2mg · 5% DV

B6

0.03mg · 2% DV

Folate

6.3µg · 2% DV

B5

0.07mg · 1% DV

Minerals

Potassium ⭐

77mg · 2% DV

Copper

0.02mg · 2% DV

Manganese

0.04mg · 2% DV

Phosphorus

8.4mg · 1% DV

Sodium

0.7mg · 0% DV

Scarlet eggplant Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

15
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0.4
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Scarlet eggplant

To burn the 9 calories in 1 piece (medium) (35 g):

🚶

2min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

1min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

1min

Cycling

🏊

1min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Scarlet eggplant?

Scarlet eggplant, known as jiló in Brazil, is a small green fruit vegetable with a notably bitter taste. Although it originated in Africa, it has become especially popular in Brazilian cooking, where it is usually eaten cooked rather than raw. Its bitterness is stronger than that of many familiar eggplant varieties.

In Brazil, cooks often slice and fry it, sauté it with aromatics, or serve it alongside meat and rice. You can salt the slices briefly before cooking to soften the bitter edge, then sauté them with onion, garlic and tomato. It is low in calories and provides fibre; at 27 calories per 100 g, it makes a light side dish that pairs well with hearty mains.

How Nutritious Is Scarlet eggplant?

Nutrient density

High

62/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

53/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Scarlet eggplant Processed?

NOVA 1

Unprocessed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Scarlet eggplant Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Scarlet eggplant Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Scarlet eggplant Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.01g

MONOUNSATURATED

0g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.03g

Compare Scarlet eggplant

🍆vs🍅
Scarlet eggplant vs Tomato9 kcal more per 100 g
→
🍆vs🥗
Scarlet eggplant vs Mixed Green Salad9 kcal more per 100 g
→
🍆vs🫑
Scarlet eggplant vs Red Pepper4 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🍆vs🥄
Scarlet eggplant vs Boiled Beetroot17 kcal fewer per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Scarlet eggplant

🍅

Tomato

18 kcal

🥗

Mixed Green Salad

18 kcal

🫑

Red Pepper

31 kcal

🥄

Boiled Beetroot

44 kcal

🫑

Green pepper

20 kcal

🥗

Potato Salad

110 kcal

🥗

Arugula

25 kcal

🥕🥦🍆

Oven-Roasted Mixed Vegetables

65 kcal

Have another question about Scarlet eggplant?

Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.

EatBetter

Scan calories with your camera

Instant AI nutrition analysis

App StoreGoogle Play

Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.