Another Great Summer Spinach - Egyptian Spinach

Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a vegetable for summer in the United States and around the world. It is also known as Molokhia/Molokheiya as well as many other names. It is believed that it been a staple food in Egypt well before the time of Christ and has been an essential food staple in the region since the time of Pharaohs. Molokheiya is an Egyptian word that translates to "vegetable for kings" is the Egyptian name for the soup. Wikipedia reports that an ill Egyptian king around 6000BC requested hot soup. He was then healed after consuming hot soup daily. Cleopatra is also said to have taken the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relations grow throughout Africa in the Middle East, India and various regions of Asia. It can be located in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world.



It is grown as an annual. It can grow to about a metre tall it produces tiny yellow flowers, has edible seed pods and edible leaves that can be constantly harvested. It is very robust and أفضل انواع بذور البرسيم fast growing. It is a cousin to okra and grows in the same conditions like Okra. It doesn't prefer shade.


large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing up lattices in green home


Do you wish to grow some? It can thrive in any type of soil and is not concerned about pH. It prefers soil that is fertile and damp. It can even grow in pots. Preparing the soil is as normal. Then, plant seeds in the exact spot into the soil where they will thrive. The months of spring and autumn are the best times to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds develop better if they are soaked in hot water before planting for at minimum a few minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. Pick leaves as soon as the plant is 40 centimeters high. Seeds which mature on the plant and drop to the ground will be dormant in the soil until weather is right and become next year's crop. Egyptian spinach is fairly healthy and free of pests and diseases. Caterpillars and grasshoppers can share the leaves with you and during summer they can be affected by red spider mites, but overall , it's not that problematic. Seeds are available now from BOGI seeds.



The leaves are extremely rich in nutrients, protein and minerals. The younger leaves can be used for sandwiches or salads, and the older leaves can either be dried or cooked. Utilize leaves the same way you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are utilized in a traditional soup with coriander, garlic and meat. In other regions it is cooked into a stew using rice, cassava, and even chicken meat. This vegetable can be used in numerous ways. The leaves can be dried and then ground into a tea. When the tea is ready, you can keep them in a container and use them to make future soups or stews. It is offered in Japan through health food shops as a healthy and nutritious tea. You can make use of young seed pods the same way as the okra.



The health benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of the Pharaohs. It is a tea which can boost your immunity. Tea made from the leaves can aid in birth and boost mothers' milk production. You can use it to treat sore eyes cut, rashes and other irritations.



Many of the species in the Corchorus genus are grown as a source of Jute because they possess long, strong fibres within their stalks. Through the ages, this jute was used for making a coarse, slack yarn which was then transformed into rope and then a coarse material for sacking. It was best to use the tallest and most unbranched stems. The stems were submerged in vegetable matter for a few days, allowing the fibres to turn brown. After that, the fibres could be easily removed, then cleaned and dried. The fibre is also utilized to create paper in certain areas. Corchorus Olitorius is also known as Egyptian spinach, is best used to make Jute. However it is also possible that some of its cousins can be used for other reasons.