Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a summer vegetable in the United States and around the world. You can call it Molokhia/Molokheiya, and many other names. It is believed that it been a staple food in Egypt well before the time of Christ and حبوب البرسيم (http://Serviceintouch.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bbarlock.com/index.php?title=Growing_Up_Healthy_Tricks_To_Growing_A_Great_Organic_Garden) was a staple food there from the time of the Pharaohs. It is believed that the Egyptian name molokheiya means ‘vegetable for the King’, according to Wikipedia, an Egyptian king, around 6000BC asked for hot soup when he was unwell . After taking hot soup each day, his condition was healed. Cleopatra is also believed to have eaten the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close cousins, grows throughout Africa, India, and various other parts of Asia. It can be found throughout the subtropical and tropical regions around the world.
It can be grown in the form of an annual. It grows up to 1 metre tall, it bears tiny yellow flowers and produces edible seeds in pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested on a regular basis. It is very robust and is fast growing. Similar to Okra, many of its cultivars, it enjoys the heat and is able to handle dry and moist conditions (not the waterlogged) however, it isn’t a fan of the shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant growing up in the green house lattice
Are you looking to plant some? It is able to grow in all soil types and is not particular about the pH but naturally prefers a fertile moist soil. It is also able to thrive in pots. Make your soil ready in your normal manner and then place the seed in the exact spot where they will grow The ideal time for planting is between the seasons of spring and fall. Egyptian spinach seeds will germinate faster if they are placed in warm, soapy water prior to planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for as long as 12 hours. Start picking leaves when the plant has reached 40 centimeters high. The seeds that grow on the plant, then go to the ground and will rest in dormancy until next year. Egyptian spinach is largely pest and disease free. The leaves can be shared with grasshoppers as well as caterpillars, but they will not be infected by red spider mites. Seeds are available now from BOGI seeds.
The leaf is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Younger leaves can be eaten raw in salads, on sandwiches, and older leaves can be dried or cooked. Use leaves as you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are served in a traditional soup that includes coriander, garlic and meat. In other regions it is cooked into a stew with rice, cassava, and even chicken meat. This vegetable is used in many ways. The leaves can be dried, and later ground into a tea. Once the tea is ready you can keep them in a container so that you can make future soups or stews. It is sold in Japan through health food shops as a healthy and nutritious tea. Young seed pods can be utilized in the same manner as Okra.
The health advantages of Egyptian spinach have been marketed since the days of the Pharaohs. As a tea , it is said to improve your immune system and is believed to help treat constipation, anaemia, cancer and cystitis, diabetes fatigue and high blood pressure menopausal symptoms, high cholesterol weight gain, respiratory ailments as well as water retention. Tea made of leaves can aid in child birth and increase the production of milk for mothers. It is also used as a wash for sore eyes cut, rashes, cuts and scratch marks.
Many species of the genus Corchorus are used to produce Jute because they possess thick, sturdy fibres in their stalks. Through the ages, this jute was used for making a coarse, slack yarn which was then transformed into rope and a coarse bagging fabric. It was best made using the largest and حبوب البرسيم least branched stems. The stems were immersed in vegetable matter for several days in order to allow the fibres to begin to decay. After that, the fibres were easily removed, then cleaned and dried. The fibre is also used to make paper in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, which is also known as Egyptian spinach, is best utilized to create jute. However certain of its relatives can be used for other reasons.