Another Great Summer Spinach - Egyptian Spinach

Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a garden vegetable in the United States and around the world. It is known under a variety of names: Molokhia/Molokheiya (and several other ways to spell it) such as salad mallow Jew's mallow mallow and West African sorrel to name only several. It is believed that it has been discovered in Egypt before Christ and has been a staple food since period of the Pharaohs. It is believed that the Egyptian name molokheiya refers to a vegetable for the King' according to Wikipedia, a sick Egyptian King around 6000 BC, asked for hot soup after being sick. After drinking hot soup each day, the illness was treated. Cleopatra might also have enjoyed the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close cousins can be found in Africa, India, and various other parts of Asia. It can be located in all subtropical and tropical areas of the world.



It is possible to grow it as an annual. It can grow to about an metre high, has small yellow flowers and produces edible seeds in pods. The edible leaves can be harvested in a continuous manner. It is extremely hardy and is able to grow rapidly. It is a cousin to okra and grows in many of the same conditions like Okra. It doesn't need shade.


Large Egyptian spinach plant growing on lattice in green home


Are you interested in growing one? It can grow in any soil type and does not care about pH. It prefers fertile soil that is moist. It can even grow in pots. Making the soil ready is normal. After that, plant the seeds right where they will grow. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds will germinate better if they are immersed in hot water prior to planting for at minimum a couple of minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for up to 12 hours. Begin picking leaves when the plant has reached 40 centimeters high. Seeds that mature on plant and fall to soil will remain dormant in the soil until the weather is perfect and will be the next year's crop. Egyptian spinach is generally healthy and free of pests and diseases. Caterpillars and grasshoppers can take advantage of the leaves and during summer they could be affected by red spider mites however generally not an issue. BOGI Seeds is currently offering seeds.



The leaf is a rich source of nutrients, minerals and protein. The younger leaves can be used in sandwiches or salads while older leaves can either be cooked or dried. You can use leaves similar to spinach. In Egypt the leaves are cooked in traditional soups made with garlic, coriander and meat. In other places it is cooked into a stew with cassava, rice and chicken meat. This vegetable can be used in numerous ways. The leaves can be dried, and then ground to make a tea. After the tea has been prepared, you can put them in a container for the next stews or soups. In Japan it is promoted through health food stores as a nutritious tea. Young seed pods the same way as okra.



The health advantages of Egyptian spinach have been marketed since the time of Pharaohs. It is a tea that can boost your immunity. Tea made of leaves is said to aid during childbirth and boost milk production for mothers. It can also be used to wash eyes that are irritated or rashes, cuts, and scratch marks.



Due to their strong, long stalks Many Corchorus genus members can be grown for شكل بذور الملوخية Jute. Through the ages, this jute was utilized to make a coarse yarn which was then made into ropes and a fine sacking fabric. The stems that were the tallest and unbranched are the most suitable to use for this. The stems were submerged in vegetable matter for several days to allow the fibres to begin to decay. The fibres could be easily removed and cleaned and dried. This fibre is also utilized to create paper in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is best utilized to create jute. However many of its cousins can also be used for other uses.