Another Fantastic Spinach For Our Summers - Egyptian Spinach

Corchorus Olitorius, Egyptian Spinach is an extremely popular summer vegetable in our region. It's known by many different names. Molokhia/Molokheiya (and several other ways to spell it) as well as salad mallow, Jute mallow, افضل بذور برسيم Jew's Mallow and West African sorrel to name but some. It is believed to have been discovered in Egypt prior to Christ, and has been an essential food item since the time of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya is an Egyptian term that means "vegetable for the king" is the Egyptian name for the soup. Wikipedia reports that an ill Egyptian King in the year 6000 BC requested hot soup. He was then healed by drinking hot soup every day. Cleopatra might have also enjoyed the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its many close relationships are found throughout Africa as well as the Middle East, India and various parts of Asia. It can be found throughout the subtropical and افضل بذور برسيم tropical regions around the world.



It is grown as an annual. It will grow to about a meter tall, gets small yellow flowers and produces edible seed pods and edible leaves that can be continuously harvested. It is very hardy and grows quickly. It is a cousin of okra that can be grown in the same conditions as the okra. It doesn't prefer shade.


Large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing up lattice in green home


Are you looking to plant some? It can be grown in any soil type and doesn't care about pH, but naturally prefers a fertile moist soil. It will even do well in pots. Preparing the soil is as normal. Then, you plant the seeds right in the area where they will develop. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds will develop faster if placed in warm, soapy water before planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for as long as 12 hours. When the plant is approximately 40cm tall, you can begin to harvest leaves. The seeds that develop on the plant, and then drop to the ground, will not be able to germinate until the following year. Egyptian spinach is largely non-infested and pest-free. The leaves are able to be shared with grasshoppers as well as caterpillars, but are unlikely to be affected with red spider mites. BOGI Seeds is currently offering seeds.



The leaf is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. The younger leaves are great for sandwiches or salads, while older leaves can be dried or cooked. The leaves can be utilized in similar to spinach. In Egypt the leaves are served in a soup made of garlic, coriander and meat, in other places it is cooked into a stew using cassava, rice and chicken meat. There are many recipes available for this plant. Leaves can be dried then powdered to make tea. The tea can then be to be used in future soups and stews for added flavor as well as to thicken dishes . It is offered in Japan through health food stores as a nutritious and healthy tea. Young seed pods in the same manner as Okra.



Since the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been touted as having health benefits. It is a tea which can boost your immunity. Tea made from leaves can aid in pregnancy and help increase mother's milk production. It can be used to treat rashes, sore eyes cut, rashes and other irritations.



Due to their strong, long stalks the Corchorus genus's members can be grown to produce Jute. Over time, the jute was used to make a coarse yarn which was then made into ropes and a fine material for sacking. This was most effective with the most tall and unbranched stems. The stems were soaked in vegetable matter for several days to allow the fibers to begin to decay. After that, the fibres could be easily removed and washed and dried. The fibre is also used for paper production in some areas. Corchorus Oltorius or Egyptian spinach is best utilized as a vegetable for leaf production, while some of its other relatives are better used to make jute.