Another Great Summer Spinach - Egyptian Spinach
Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is growing in popularity as a summer crop in our part of the world. It's known by many different names. Molokhia/Molokheiya (and many other methods to spell it) such as salad mallow Jew's mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name just few. It is believed that it has been discovered in Egypt before Christ and was a staple food since the times of the Pharaohs. It is believed that the Egyptian name molokheiya means 'vegetable for the king', according to Wikipedia, a sick Egyptian king, around 6000 BC, asked for hot soup while sick and بذور البرسيم الحجازي; from b3.zcubes.com, after drinking hot soup each day, his illness was cured. Cleopatra might have also enjoyed the same soup. Egyptian Spinach along with its close relatives can be found all over Africa, India, and many other parts of Asia. It can be located in all subtropical and tropical regions around the globe.
It is possible to grow it as an annual. It grows to approximately one meter in height. It it bears tiny yellow flowers and produces edible seed pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested continuously. It is very robust and fast growing. Being a relative of Okra, many of the cultivars, it enjoys the heat, can handle dry and humid conditions (not the waterlogged) however it doesn't appreciate the shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant growing in the green house lattice
Are you considering growing one? It can be grown in any soil type and does not care about pH. However, it prefers fertile soil that is humid. It will even do well in pots. Prepare your soil in your normal manner and then place the seed right where they will develop the most optimal time for planting is between the seasons of spring and fall. Egyptian spinach seeds will sprout faster if they are bathed in soapy hot water before planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. Pick leaves as soon as the plant has reached 40 centimeters high. The seeds that grow on the plant and drop to the ground, will be dormant until the next year. Egyptian spinach is relatively healthy and free of pests and diseases. The leaves are able to be used in conjunction with grasshoppers and caterpillars but they aren't likely to get infected with red spider mites. BOGI Seeds currently has seeds available.
The leaf is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. The younger leaves are great in sandwiches or salads and the older leaves can either be dried or cooked. You can use leaves in the same way as spinach. The leaves are utilized in Egypt as a traditional soup, with garlic, coriander and even meat. In other regions the leaves can be made into a stew made with cassava, rice and chicken meat. This vegetable is used in many different ways. Leaves can be dried , then powdered, and then used as a tea, to be used in future stews and soups for بذور البرسيم الحجازي extra flavour and as a thickener . In Japan it is promoted through health food stores as a healthy tea. Young seed pods are used in the same way as the okra.
Since the time of the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been touted as having health benefits. It is a tea that can boost your immune system. Tea made from the leaves can aid in child birth and increase milk production for mothers. It can also be used to treat eye irritation cut, rashes and other irritations.
Many members of the Corchorus genus are used to produce Jute since they have thick, sturdy fibres in their stalks. The jute fibers were used over the centuries to make coarse yarn that was later used as rope or as a bagging fabric. It was best to use the most tall and unbranched stems. Stems would be soaked over some time so that the matter of the vegetable would begin to decay and the fibres would be easily removed then washed, dried, and sorted for use. This fiber is also utilized to create paper in some areas. Corchorus olitorius or Egyptian spinach is best utilized as a leaf vegetable , whereas the other related species are better used to make jute.