World food prices continued to rise sharply in December, bringing them close to the crisis levels that provoked shortages and riots in poor countries three years ago, according to newly released United Nations data.

Prices are expected to remain high this year, prompting concern that the world may be approaching another crisis, although economists cautioned that many factors, like adequate stockpiles of key grains, could prevent a serious problem.

The United Nations data measures commodity prices on the world export market. Those are generally far removed from supermarket prices in wealthy countries like the United States. In this country, food price inflation has been relatively tame, and prices are forecast to rise only 2 percent to 3 percent this year.

But the situation is often different in poor countries that rely more heavily on imports. The food price index of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization rose 32 percent from June to December, according to the report published Wednesday. In December, the index was slightly higher than it was in June 2008, its previous peak. The index is not adjusted for inflation, however, making an exact comparison over time difficult. [Read more...]

In the spirit of good taste and good looks, eggplant gets my vote for a place in the garden.

Eggplant, or aubergine if you’re French, may not be as popular as the related tomato. Too bitter, some say. But eggplant’s more flavorful when harvested from the home garden, just like its cousin. And you grow them the same.

Eggplant, however, is prettier. There’s no need to squeeze it into a veggie-only plot. Show it off among the ornamentals in your front flower bed or in large pots. The large, velvety purplish-green leaves are carried on purple-tinted stems. The bell-shaped blooms are lavender-blue with yellow stamens. But the ornamental fruits make the plants sing.

Originating in India, eggplant has been a world traveler. American, Asian, Indian and Italian varieties are available with fruit that ranges from the familiar plump globes to long cylinders to round or egg-shaped. Color varies, too. Choose from white, green, yellow, orange, lavender or a purple so deep it looks black. Some fruit may have white stripes. Look for transplants at garden centers now.

Eggplants belong to the Solanum genus and are members of the nightshade family, along with tomatoes, bell peppers and potatoes. They need a warm start, so plant in April and May. Like tomatoes, they need sun and a fertile, well-draining soil. For the best-tasting fruit, encourage vigorous growth with weekly or biweekly applications of fertilizer. And keep the soil moist, especially when it’s hot, to curb bitterness.

Eggplants can grow 3 feet high and wide, so give them room.

When it’s hot and dry, keep an eye out for spider mites that gather on the undersides of the leaves and cause a stippling effect. Control them with hard sprays of water or insecticidal soap.

The fiber- and potassium-rich fruit is ready to harvest in 55 to 80 days, depending on the variety. Plants can continue to produce into fall.

Harvest fruit often, while the skin is still glossy. Overmature fruit can be spongy and bitter. Cut, leaving about an inch of stem and the green cap (calyx) on top of the fruit intact. Wear gloves to avoid pricking your fingers on varieties with thorny growths on the stem and calyx.

Take your pick

There are more than 150 eggplant varieties, including:

‘Black Magic’ — Purple-black, elongated oval; 72 days

‘Classic’ — Purple-black, elongated teardrop shape; stress-resistant; 75 days

‘Black Beauty’ — Purple-black standard; watch for summer stress; 70 days

‘Hansel’ — Dark-purple finger-shaped; few seeds, sweet; 55 days

‘Louisiana Green’ — Long, slender, green, great-tasting heirloom; 65 days

‘Florida Market’ — Old variety with large purple-black fruit; 80 days

‘Ichiban’ — Long, skinny Asian variety; less likely to turn bitter in summer stress; 60 days

‘Listada de Gandia’ — Purple marbled with white stripes; quality taste; 75 days

‘Rosa Bianca’ — Similar to ‘Listada’ but with white, pink-striped fruit; 75 days

‘Fairy Tale’ — White-striped purple, slender, long fruit; plants are 2 feet; 50 days

‘Pingtung Long’ — Violet-purple, foot-long heirloom; tender skin; fewer seeds; 65 days

‘Easter Egg’ — Small white, egg-size; turns yellow when mature; edible ornamental; 52 days By Kathy Huber, Houston Chronicle