Another Great Spinach For Our Summers This Is An Egyptian Spinach Egyptian Spinach
Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is growing in popularity as a summer vegetable in our part of the world. It's known by many different names. Molokhia/Molokheiya (and numerous other ways of spelling it), salad mallow, Jew's mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name but some. It is believed to have been first discovered in Egypt before Christ, and has been a staple food since times of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya, an Egyptian term that means "vegetable for king" is the Egyptian name of the soup. Wikipedia states that an ill Egyptian King, around 6000BC, requested hot soup and was cured by drinking hot soup every day. Cleopatra is also said to have enjoyed the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its many close relatives is found throughout Africa, India, and many other parts of Asia. It grows in the majority of subtropical and tropical areas across the globe.
It can be grown in the form of an annual. It can grow to about an metre high, it bears tiny yellow flowers and produces edible seed pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested throughout the year. It is very hardy and is able to grow rapidly. It is a very close relative to Okra, many of its conditions for growth are present. It loves the heat, can handle both dry and wet conditions (not the waterlogged) however, it isn't a fan of the shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant growing up lattices in green home
Are you looking to plant some? It will grow in any soil type and doesn't care about pH. However, it always prefers a rich moist soil. Pots are also a possibility. Make sure you prepare your soil in the normal way then plant seed directly where they will grow The ideal time for planting is between the months of spring and autumn. Egyptian spinach seeds grow better when they are bathed in hot water prior planting for at minimum a couple of minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for up to 12 hours. Pick leaves as soon as the plant is about 40cm high. The seeds that grow on the plant, فوائد حبوب البرسيم only to drop to the ground, will rest in dormancy until next year. Egyptian spinach is generally disease and pest free. The leaves are able to be shared with grasshoppers as well as caterpillars, but will not be infected with the red spider mites. BOGI Seeds is currently offering seeds.
The leaf is rich in minerals, vitamins, and protein. The younger leaves can be eaten raw in salads, or on sandwiches and the older leaves cooked or dried. You can use leaves in the same way as spinach. In Egypt the leaves are used in a traditional soup that includes garlic, coriander and meat. In other places it is cooked into a stew with rice, cassava and chicken meat. This vegetable is used in a variety of ways. The leaves can be dried, and then ground into a tea. When the tea is ready, you can store them in a container to make the next stews or soups. In Japan it is promoted through the health food store as a healthy tea. You can make use of young seed pods in the same way as Okra.
Since the time of the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been touted as having health benefits. It is a drink that can increase your immunity. Tea made from the leaves is said to aid during the birth of a child and boost the production of milk by mothers. It can be used for treating eye sores, rashes and cuts.
Because of their strong, long stalks, many Corchorus genus members are able to be used to create Jute. Jute was used throughout time to create coarse yarn. This could later be used as rope, and فوائد حبوب البرسيم also as packing fabric. The tallest, unbranched stems were ideal for this. Stems would be soaked over several days so the vegetable matter would develop a rotting process and the fibres are easily removed then washed, dried and sorted before being used. The fibre can also be utilized to create paper in certain areas. Corchorus Olitorius is also known as Egyptian spinach, is the best used to make jute. However it is also possible that some of its cousins can be used for other functions.