You're not going to add it to your next smoothie, but an eggplant is actually a berry. Eggplants can be bitter, but you can add salt to cut eggplants, weigh them down with a plate with something heavy on top, and let them drain for about a half an hour before cooking (rinsing before adding to the final dish) to improve the flavor. Their spongy texture soaks up marinades, but also soaks up oil - so assume that fried or stir-fried eggplant will include a fair amount of fat. Eggplants should not have any blemishes, should be firm, and should be used within a few days of purchase.