Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is growing in popularity as a vegetable for summer in the United States and around the world. It’s been known as Molokhia/Molokheiya (and various other ways to spell it) such as salad mallow Jew’s mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name just some. It is thought to have been a staple food in Egypt in the early days of Christ and has been the staple food of Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya which is an Egyptian term meaning “vegetable for kings”, is the Egyptian name for the soup. Wikipedia claims that an ill Egyptian King around 6000BC demanded hot soup and was cured by drinking hot soup every day. Cleopatra is also said to have taken the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relations grow throughout Africa in the Middle East, India and numerous parts of Asia. It is located in all subtropical and tropical regions of the globe.
It is grown as an annual. It grows to approximately a metre in height, produces small yellow flowers and produces edible seeds that are shaped like pods. The edible leaves can be harvested in a continuous manner. It is extremely hardy and is fast growing. As a close relation to okra many of the same growing conditions apply, loves the heat, can handle dry and moist conditions (not the waterlogged) but doesn’t like the shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing in the green house lattice
Are you considering growing one? It can be grown in any soil type and doesn’t care about pH. It prefers soil that is fertile and humid. Pots are also a possibility. The preparation of the soil is normal. After that, plant the seeds right in the area where they will develop. The months of spring and autumn are the best times to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds will germinate faster if they are immersed in soapy, hot water before planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. Once the plant has grown to about 40cm high, you are able to start picking leaves. The seeds that grow on the plant, then go to the ground and will rest in dormancy until next year. Egyptian spinach is nearly completely disease and pest-free. Caterpillars and grasshoppers can have a symbiosis with the leaves and during the hot summer, they can be affected by red spider mites. However, generally not an issue. BOGI Seeds offers seeds currently.
The leaf is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. The younger leaves can be used as a sandwich or salad, and the older leaves can either be dried or cooked. You can use leaves like spinach. The leaves can be used in Egypt as a traditional soup which includes coriander, garlic and meat. In other regions it is made into a stew that includes cassava, rice and chicken meat. There are numerous recipes for this vegetable. Leaves can be dried , then powdered and made into tea. It can be kept for later use in stews and بذور البرسيم الحجازي (www.universaldisplaycorp.com) soups, for additional flavor as well as to thicken dishes . It is sold in Japan through health food shops as a nutritious and healthy tea. Young seed pods are utilized in the same manner as the okra.
The benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted from the time of the Pharaohs. It is a tea that will increase your immune system. Tea made from leaves is said to aid in child birth and increase milk production for mothers. It can also be used as a wash for sore eyes, rashes, cuts and scrapes.
Many species of the Corchorus genus are grown to produce Jute since they have thick, sturdy fibres in their stalks. Over time, this jute was used to make a coarse yarn which was then transformed into ropes and a fine material for sacking. The stems that were the tallest and unbranched are the most suitable to use for this. The stems were submerged in vegetable matter for a few days to allow the fibers to rot. After that, the fibres were easily removed and cleaned and بذور البرسيم الحجازي dried. This fiber is also utilized to create paper in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, which is also known as Egyptian spinach, is best utilized to create Jute. However, some of its relatives are also used for different purposes.