Another Great Spinach To Enjoy Our Summers - Egyptian Spinach

Corchorus Olitorius, Egyptian Spinach is an extremely popular summer crop in our region. You can call it Molokhia/Molokheiya, and many other names. It is thought to have been a staple food in Egypt in the early days of Christ and بذور كزبره - clicking here, has been an essential food staple in the region from the time of the Pharaohs. The Egyptian name molokheiya refers to "vegetables suitable for the king' according to Wikipedia a sick Egyptian King around 6000BC , asked for hot soup when he was sick and after drinking the hot soup every day his condition was healed. Cleopatra might also have enjoyed the same soup. Egyptian Spinach together with its numerous close cousins, grows throughout Africa, India, and many other parts of Asia. It will thrive in all subtropical and tropical regions all over the world.



It is an annual, grows to around a meter in height, gets small yellow flowers and produces edible seed pods and leaves that can be continually harvested. It is extremely hardy and quick growing. It is a relative of okra , and it can thrive in many of the same conditions like the okra. It doesn't prefer shade.


Large Egyptian spinach plant growing up the lattice of the green home


Are you considering growing one? It is able to grow in all soil types and doesn't care about pH, however of course prefers a fertile moist soil. Pots can also be used. Preparing the soil is as normal. Then, you can plant the seeds directly to where they will flourish. Spring and autumn are the ideal times to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds will grow faster if bathed in soapy hot water before plant. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. When the plant grows to around 40cm tall, it is time to start picking leaves. Seeds which mature on the plant and fall to the ground will be dormant in the soil until conditions are right and become next year's crop. Egyptian spinach is virtually free of disease and pests. The leaves are able to be shared by grasshoppers and caterpillars but they will not be affected by red spider mites. BOGI Seeds currently has seeds available.



The leaf is a rich source of nutrients, minerals and protein. The younger leaves are great in sandwiches or salads while older leaves can be dried or cooked. Take leaves like spinach. In Egypt the leaves are served in traditional soups made with coriander, garlic and meat. In other places it is cooked into a stew that includes rice, cassava and chicken meat. There are numerous recipes for this vegetable. Leaves can be dried , then powdered, and then used as a tea, to be used in future soups and stews for added flavor and to thicken the dish . It is sold in Japan through health food stores as a nutritious and healthy tea. Young seed pods can be utilized the same way as Okra.



The health benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of the Pharaohs. In the form of tea, it can enhance your immune system. It can also aid in treating anaemia, cancer, constipation as well as diabetes, cystitis fatigue as well as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms and respiratory issues, as well as obesity and water retention. Tea made from the leaves is said to aid in the child's birth and increase the production of milk by mothers. It can be used for treating eye sores, rashes and cuts.



A variety of species belonging to the Corchorus genus can be grown to produce Jute because they possess long, strong fibres in their stalks. This jute was used over the centuries to make coarse yarn. It was then used as a rope and as a sacking fabric. The tallest, unbranched stems were the best choice for this. The stems were immersed in vegetable matter for a few days to allow the fibers to begin to decay. After that, the fibres could be easily removed and then washed and dried. This fiber is also used for paper production in certain areas. Corchorus Olitorius, which is also known as Egyptian spinach, is best used to make Jute. However many of its cousins can be used for other reasons.