'Blaukönigin' Eggplant - Solanum melongena

'Blaukönigin' Eggplant – robust traditional variety with royally dark violet fruits. 

This old variety is a proven eggplant with dark violet, glossy fruits and tender, creamy flesh. It ripens reliably and is ideally suited for greenhouses, protected outdoor beds, and pot cultivation. Robust, high-yielding, and open-pollinated – perfect for self-sufficiency and organic growing.

  Origin & History

‘Blaukönigin’ is an open-pollinated variety with a long history in European vegetable cultivation. For decades, it was grown and passed on in home gardens and small farms. Its name refers to the deep dark, almost black coloration of the glossy fruits, which make it a striking presence in the vegetable garden. Originally developed as a traditional landrace in Central Europe, it proved itself through robustness and adaptability. Especially in Germany and neighboring regions, it was for generations a staple of peasant self-sufficiency and was passed on as a reliable, high-yielding variety.

Its deep dark to variably bluish fruits were considered a mark of quality and used in many ways. In rural regions, it symbolized the importance of open-pollinated crops that could be shared independently of commercial breeding. With industrialization and the spread of modern hybrids, however, ‘Blaukönigin’ largely fell into obscurity during the 20th century. Today, it is once again maintained by organic seed initiatives and conservation organizations and valued as a historic rarity. To this day, ‘Blaukönigin’ stands as a symbol of freely accessible, non-patented crops and the preservation of biodiversity in the vegetable garden.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows vigorous and upright, reaching a height of about 60 cm. It produces numerous fruit clusters and bears strong, dark green foliage with characteristic violet leaf veins.

Fruit details:

• Size: Medium to large, approx. 200-300 g per fruit

• Shape: Elongated-oval, approx. 15-20 cm long

• Color: Light blue to dark violet, almost black, glossy

• Texture: Tender, creamy flesh

• Flavor: Mild, slightly nutty - versatile in use

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The fruits are excellent for frying, grilling, baking, and especially stuffing. Their mild, slightly nutty flavor and glossy dark violet skin make them a true eye-catcher in Mediterranean dishes, adding a special visual and culinary touch.

Thanks to its vigorous growth and resilience, the variety thrives reliably in greenhouses, protected outdoor beds, and especially in large pots. It ripens consistently, produces abundant fruits, and impresses with its versatility. In addition, it is easy to care for, adapts well to different locations, and delivers stable yields even under changeable weather conditions. Its decorative dark violet fruits ripen evenly, making the plant not only a culinary but also a visual highlight in the garden.

Compared to other eggplants, ‘Blaukönigin’ is proven, particularly reliable, and highly ornamental – ideal for those who appreciate open-pollinated eggplants with classic appearance and long tradition.