Another Great Summer Spinach - Egyptian Spinach
Corchorus Olitorius Egyptian Spinach is a popular summer vegetable in our region. It's been known as Molokhia/Molokheiya (and many other methods to spell it) as well as salad mallow, Jew's mallow mallow and West African sorrel to name just several. It is believed to have originated in Egypt prior to the time of Christ and has been a common food in Egypt since the days of the Pharaohs. The Egyptian name molokheiya means 'vegetable for the King' according to Wikipedia, a sick Egyptian king, around 6000BC , asked for hot soup because he was unwell and after taking hot soup each day, his illness was cured. Cleopatra may have also enjoyed the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach and its many close relations grow throughout Africa as well as the Middle East, India and several regions of Asia. It grows in the majority of subtropical and tropical areas across the globe.
It can be grown as an annual. It can grow to about 1 metre tall, has small yellow flowers and تقاوي حشيشة السودان produces edible seeds that are shaped like pods. The edible leaves may also be harvested continuously. It is very hardy and is fast growing. It is a relative of okra that can be grown in the same conditions as okra. It doesn't like shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant growing up the lattice of the green home
Do you wish to grow some? It can grow in any type of soil and doesn't mind pH. However, it prefers soil with a fertile pH that is well-drained. It will even do well in pots. The preparation of the soil is normal. Then, you can plant the seeds right where they will grow. The months of spring and autumn are the best seasons to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds sprout better if immersed in hot water prior to planting for at minimum a few minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. Start picking leaves when the plant has reached 40 cm tall. The seeds that mature on the plant and fall to soil will remain dormant in the soil until weather is right and become the next crop. Egyptian spinach is nearly free of disease and pests. The leaves are able to be shared by grasshoppers and caterpillars, but are not likely to become affected with the red spider mites. Seeds are currently available from BOGI seeds.
The leaves are high in vitamin and mineral content. The younger leaves can be eaten raw in salads, in sandwiches and the older leaves dried or cooked. Use leaves as you would spinach. The leaves can be utilized in Egypt as a traditional soup which includes coriander, garlic and even meat. In other areas it can be cooked into a stew using cassava, rice and chicken meat. The vegetable can be utilized in many ways. The leaves can be dried before being powdered to make tea. The tea can then be to be used in future stews and soups, for additional flavor and to thicken the dish . It is offered in Japan through health food shops as a nutritious and healthy tea. It is possible to use seedlings that are young pods in the same way as the okra.
The benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of the Pharaohs. It is a tea that can improve your immune system and is also said to be helpful for treating constipation, cancer, anaemia the cystitis, تقاوي حشيشة السودان diabetes fatigue, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms, obesity, respiratory problems as well as water retention. Tea made from the leaves is believed to aid in the child's birth and increase the amount of milk produced by mothers. It is also used as a wash for sore eyes or rashes, cuts, and scratch marks.
Many of the species in the Corchorus genus are used to produce Jute due to their long, strong fibres in their stalks. Jute was utilized over the years to make coarse yarn. It was then used to make rope as well as as a sacking fabric. The most tall, unbranched stems were the best choice for this. Stems were then soaked for several days so the vegetable matter could begin to decay and the fibres would be easily removed. Then they were washed dried and sorted for use. The fibre can also be used for paper production in some regions. Corchorus Olitorius, also known as Egyptian spinach, is the best utilized to create Jute. However many of its cousins can also be used for other reasons.