Another Wonderful Summer Spinach Egyptian Spinach
Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a summer crop in our part of the world. It's known by many different names. Molokhia/Molokheiya (and numerous other ways of spelling it) as well as salad mallow, Jute mallow, Jew's Mallow and West African sorrel to name but a few. It is believed to have been first discovered in Egypt prior to Christ, and has been a staple food since the period of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya, an Egyptian word that translates to "vegetable for king", is the Egyptian term used to describe the soup. Wikipedia reports that a sick Egyptian King, around 6000BC, requested hot soup and was cured through the consumption of hot soup on a daily basis. Cleopatra is also said to have eaten the same soup. Egyptian Spinach together with its close relatives, grows throughout Africa, India, and several other parts of Asia. It will grow in most subtropical and tropical zones throughout the world.
It is cultivated as an annual. It grows up to 1 metre tall, produces small yellow flowers and produces edible seed pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested on a regular basis. It is very hardy and grows rapidly. It is a relative of okra that can be grown in the same conditions like Okra. It does not like shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing in the green lattice of the house
Do you wish to grow some? It can be grown in any type of soil and doesn't mind pH. However, it prefers soil that is fertile and humid. It's even able to grow in pots. Prepare your soil the normal way then plant seed right where they will develop, the best planting time is between the seasons of spring and fall. Egyptian spinach seeds develop 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. Pick leaves as soon as the plant has reached 40 cm high. The seeds that mature on the plant, then fall to the ground, will not be able to germinate until the following year. Egyptian spinach is relatively disease and pest free. Caterpillars and grazers be sharing the leaves and حشيشة السودان during the hot summer they could be affected by red spider mites, but generally not an issue. The seeds are currently available through BOGI seeds.
The leaves are extremely rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The younger leaves are great for sandwiches or salads, while older leaves can be dried or cooked. Leaves can be used in similar to spinach. The leaves can be utilized in Egypt as a traditional soup that includes garlic, coriander as well as meat. In other areas, it can be made into a stew with cassava, rice and chicken meat. There are many recipes available for this plant. Leaves can be dried and then powdered, and then used as tea. They can also be preserved for use in stews and soups for extra flavour and as a thickener . It is offered in Japan through health food stores as a nutritious and healthy tea. Young seed pods are utilized the same way as Okra.
The benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of Pharaohs. It is a tea which can increase your immunity. Tea made from the leaves can aid in pregnancy and help increase mother's milk production. It can also be used to treat eye irritation as well as rashes, cuts and rashes.
Many of the species in the Corchorus genus are used to produce Jute since they have long, strong fibres in their stalks. Over time, this jute was utilized to make a coarse yarn that was later made into ropes and a fine material for sacking. The tallest, unbranched stems were the best choice to use for this. The stems were immersed in vegetable matter for a few days to allow the fibers to begin to decay. After that, the fibres were easily removed and then cleaned and dried. In some regions it is also possible for حشيشة السودان this fiber to be used for paper. Corchorus Olitorius, also known as Egyptian spinach, is the best utilized to create Jute. However it is also possible that some of its cousins can be used for other purposes.