Another Spinach That Is Great For Our Summers The Egyptian Spinach Egyptian Spinach
Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a vegetable for summer in the United States and around the world. It goes under many names Molokhia/Molokheiya (and many other methods to spell it) such as salad mallow Jew's mallow mallow and West African sorrel to name only several. It is believed to have been first discovered in Egypt prior to Christ, and has been an important staple food since the time of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya which is an Egyptian term which translates to "vegetable for king" is the Egyptian term used to describe the soup. Wikipedia claims that a sick Egyptian king around 6000BC requested hot soup. He was then healed by drinking hot soup every day. Cleopatra may have also enjoyed the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach and its numerous close connections are prevalent throughout Africa as well as the Middle East, India and many regions of Asia. It can be located throughout the subtropical and tropical regions around the world.
It can be grown in the form of an annual. It can grow to about one meter in height. It it bears tiny yellow flowers and produces edible seeds in pods. The edible leaves can be harvested throughout the year. It is extremely hardy and grows rapidly. Being a relative of Okra, many of the cultivars, it enjoys the heat, can handle dry and wet conditions (not in a waterlogged) but doesn't like the shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing in the green lattice of the house
Do you have a desire to grow some? It can grow in any soil type and doesn't mind pH. It prefers soil with a fertile pH that is well-drained. Pots are also a possibility. Make your soil ready in your normal way then plant seed in the exact spot where they will grow, the best planting time is between spring and autumn. Egyptian spinach seeds germinate better if they are placed in hot water prior to planting for a minimum of couple of minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. Begin picking leaves when the plant has reached 40 cm tall. Seeds that mature on the plant and drop to the ground will be dormant in the soil until the weather is suitable and can be used for the next crop. Egyptian spinach is almost pest and disease-free. Caterpillars and grazers share the leaves with you and in the heat of summer they could be affected by red spider mites. However, overall , it's not that problematic. The seeds are currently available through BOGI seeds.
The leaf is rich in minerals, vitamins, and protein. The younger leaves can be utilized in sandwiches or salads while older leaves can either be dried or cooked. Leaves can be used in similar to spinach. The leaves can be used in Egypt in a soup that is traditional that includes garlic, coriander, and meat. In other regions it can be cooked into a stew that includes cassava, rice, and chicken meat. This vegetable is used in numerous ways. The leaves can be dried and later ground into a tea. After the tea is ready you can put them in a container for stews and soups in the future. In Japan it is sold in the health food store as a healthy tea. Young seed pods can be used the same way as Okra.
Since the time of the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been praised as having health benefits. It is a tea that can boost your immune system. Tea made of leaves can assist in the birth process and بذور ملوخية improve mothers' milk production. It can be used to treat rashes, sore eyes, rashes and cuts.
Many species of the Corchorus genus are used to produce Jute because they possess thick, sturdy fibres in their stalks. Jute was utilized over the years to make coarse yarn that was then used as rope or as a bagging fabric. The tallest, most unbranched, stems are the most suitable to use for this. The stems were soaked in vegetable matter for several days in order to allow the fibres to turn brown. After that, the fibres could be easily removed and then cleaned and dried. The fibre is also used for paper production in some regions. Corchorus olitorius or Egyptian spinach is most commonly used as a leaf vegetable , whereas others of its relatives are ideal for jute production.