Another Fantastic Spinach For Our Summers -- Egyptian Spinach

Corchorus Olitorius, Egyptian Spinach is a popular summer vegetable in our region. It's been known as Molokhia/Molokheiya (and فوائد حبوب البرسيم many other methods to spell it) and salad mallow. Jew's mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name just several. It is believed to have been first discovered in Egypt prior to Christ, and has been a staple food since days of the Pharaohs. The Egyptian name molokheiya refers to "vegetables suitable for the king' according to Wikipedia a sick Egyptian King, in the year 6000 BC, requested hot soup after being sick. After drinking the hot soup every day his illness was cured. Cleopatra may have also enjoyed the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relations grow throughout Africa as well as the Middle East, India and many parts of Asia. It grows in the majority of subtropical and tropical regions all over the world.



It is cultivated as an annual, grows to about a meter tall It produces tiny yellow flowers, produces edible seed pods, and edible leaves that can be constantly harvested. 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. However, it doesn't prefer shade.


Large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing up lattices in green house


Are you interested in establishing one? It is able to grow in any soil type and doesn't care about pH. However, it of course prefers a fertile moist soil. It is also able to thrive in pots. Prepare your soil the usual manner, then plant the seeds directly in the area where they'll grow The ideal time for planting is between spring and autumn. Egyptian spinach seeds will germinate faster if they are bathed in soapy hot water prior to planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. The time to pick leaves is when the plant is 40 cm tall. Seeds that mature on the plant and fall to the ground will lay dormant in the soil until the conditions are suitable and can be used for next year's crop. Egyptian spinach is almost completely disease and pest-free. Caterpillars and grazers take advantage of the leaves and during summer, they can be affected by red spider mites but overall , it's not that problematic. Seeds are available at present from BOGI seeds.



The leaf is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and protein. The younger leaves can be utilized in sandwiches or salads while older leaves can either be cooked or dried. You can use leaves in the same way as spinach. In Egypt the leaves are cooked in traditional soups made with coriander, garlic and meat, in other parts of the world it is made into a stew made with rice, cassava, and chicken meat. There are many recipes for this plant. The leaves can be dried before being powdered and used as tea. The tea can then be kept for later use in stews and soups, for additional flavour and as a thickener . It is sold in Japan through health food shops as a nutritious and healthy tea. Young seed pods can be utilized the same way as Okra.



The benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of the Pharaohs. As a tea it will boost your immune system and it is also believed to be beneficial in treating constipation, cancer, anaemia as well as diabetes, cystitis fatigue, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, high cholesterol weight gain, respiratory ailments as well as water retention. Tea made from leaves can help during birth and boost mothers' milk production. It can also be used for washing eyes as well as cuts, rashes and scratch marks.



Many species of the genus Corchorus are used to produce Jute because they possess thick, sturdy fibres in their stalks. The jute fibers were used over many centuries to make coarse yarn that was later used as a rope and as a material for sacking. This was most effective with the tallest and most unbranched stems. The stems were soaked for some time so that the plant matter could develop a rotting process and the fibres are easily removed then washed, dried, and sorted for use. This fiber is also used to make paper in some regions. Corchorus Olitorius, also known as Egyptian spinach is most commonly used as a leaf vegetable while some of its other relatives are better used to make jute.