Another Great Spinach To Enjoy Our Summers -- Egyptian Spinach

Corchorus Olitorius, Egyptian Spinach is a very popular seasonal vegetable in our region. It is known under a variety of names: Molokhia/Molokheiya (and several other ways of spelling it) as well as salad mallow, Jute mallow, Jew's Mallow and West African sorrel to name just some. It is believed that it has been discovered in Egypt before Christ and has been a staple food since days of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya is an Egyptian term meaning "vegetable for the king" is the Egyptian name of the soup. Wikipedia states that an ill Egyptian King, around 6000BC, requested hot soup, and was healed through the consumption of hot soup on a daily basis. Cleopatra is also believed to have enjoyed the same soup. Egyptian Spinach together with its numerous close relatives can be found in Africa, India, and several other parts of Asia. It is found in all subtropical and tropical regions around the world.



It is grown in the form of an annual. It will grow up to an metre high, bears small yellow flowers, and produces edible seeds that are shaped like pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested throughout the year. It is extremely hardy and grows rapidly. It is a relative of okra , and it can thrive in the same conditions like okra. It doesn't prefer shade.


Large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing in the green house lattice


Do you wish to grow some? It can be grown in any soil type and is not particular about the pH but of course prefers a fertile moist soil. Pots are also a possibility. Prepare your soil in your usual manner, then plant the seeds directly in the area where they'll grow The best time to plant is between the months of spring and autumn. Egyptian spinach seeds can grow faster if bathed in soapy hot water prior to planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. Begin picking leaves when the plant is 40 cm tall. Seeds which mature on the plant and fall to the ground will be dormant in the soil until weather is right and become the next crop. Egyptian spinach is almost non-infectious and free of pests. The leaves can be shared with grasshoppers as well as caterpillars, but they aren't likely to get infected by red spider mites. The seeds are currently available through BOGI seeds.



The leaves are very high in proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The younger leaves can be consumed raw in salads or sandwiches, and older leaves can be cooked or dried. Utilize leaves the same way you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are utilized in traditional soups made with coriander, garlic and meat, in other parts of the world it is made into a stew made with rice, cassava, and even chicken meat. This vegetable can be utilized in many different ways. The leaves can be dried, and then ground into a tea. When the tea is prepared, you can store them in a container to make future soups or stews. It is sold in Japan through health food shops as a nutritious and healthy tea. It is possible to use seedlings that are young pods the same way as okra.



The benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted from the time of the Pharaohs. It is a tea that can boost the immune system. Tea made from leaves can help during childbirth and increase mothers' milk production. It can also be used as a wash for sore eyes, rashes, cuts and abrasions.



Many of the species in the genus Corchorus are used to produce Jute because they possess long, strong fibres in their stalks. Jute was used throughout time to create coarse yarn that was then used to make rope or انواع بذور البرسيم as a sacking fabric. The stems that were the tallest and unbranched were the best choice for this. The stems were immersed in vegetable matter for several days to allow the fibres to turn brown. The fibres were easily removed and then cleaned and dried. This fibre is also utilized to create paper in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is the best utilized to create Jute. However many of its cousins are also suitable for other uses.