Another Wonderful Summer Spinach Egyptian Spinach
Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a summer vegetable in our part of the world. It is known under a variety of names: Molokhia/Molokheiya (and many other methods to spell it) and salad mallow. Jew's mallow mallow and West African sorrel to name but several. It is believed that it been a staple food in Egypt long before the time of Christ and has been a staple food there since the days of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya, an Egyptian term which 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 healed after consuming hot soup daily. Cleopatra is also said to have drank the same soup. Egyptian Spinach along with its numerous close relatives is found throughout Africa, India, and numerous other regions of Asia. It can be found in all subtropical and tropical regions around the globe.
It is grown as an annual. It grows to approximately a metre in height, bears small yellow flowers, and produces edible seed pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested on a regular basis. It is extremely hardy and grows quickly. It is a relative to okra and grows in many of the same conditions like the okra. It doesn't prefer shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant growing up in green house lattice
Are you thinking of growing one? It grows in any soil type and does not care about the pH but of course prefers a fertile moist soil. Pots are also possible. It is easy to prepare the soil as normal. Then, plant the seeds directly into the soil where they will thrive. Spring and autumn are the ideal times to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds will sprout faster if they are bathed in soapy hot water before plant. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. Pick leaves as soon as the plant is around 40cm high. Seeds that mature on the plant and fall to ground will lie dormant within the soil until the weather is suitable and can be used for the next crop. Egyptian spinach is nearly pest and disease-free. Caterpillars and grasshoppers will take advantage of the leaves and during the hot summer, they can be affected by red spider mites but overall not too problematical. Seeds are available at present from BOGI seeds.
The leaf is rich in nutrients, minerals and protein. Younger leaves can be consumed raw in salads, in sandwiches and the older leaves cooked or dried. It is possible to use leaves in like spinach. The leaves can be utilized in Egypt as a traditional soup that includes garlic, coriander as well as meat. In other regions the leaves can be made into a stew with cassava, rice and chicken meat. This vegetable can be utilized in many different ways. The leaves can be dried and then ground into tea. Once the tea is ready it can be stored in a container for further stews or soups. In Japan it is sold in the health food store as a healthy tea. It is possible to use seedlings that are young pods in the same way as okra.
The health advantages of Egyptian spinach have been marketed since the days of the Pharaohs. It is a tea that will increase your immune system. Tea made from the leaves is believed to aid in the child's birth and increase the production of milk by mothers. It is also used to treat rashes, sore eyes or بزر الملوخية rashes as well as cuts, bruises and cuts.
Due to their strong, long stalks the Corchorus genus's members can be grown to make jute. Jute was used throughout time to create coarse yarn. It was then used to make rope or as a packing fabric. This was best done with the highest and longest stems. Stems would be soaked over some time so that the plant matter could rot and the fibres easily removed, then washed, بزر الملوخية dried, and sorted for use. In some regions where this fibre is found, it can be used for paper. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is best used to make Jute. However many of its cousins are also suitable for other reasons.