Corchorus Olitorius, Egyptian Spinach is a popular summer vegetable in our region. It’s been known as Molokhia/Molokheiya (and many other methods to spell it), salad mallow, Jew’s mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name but few. It is believed to have originated in Egypt prior to the time of Christ and has been a staple food there since the time of Pharaohs. Molokheiya, which is an Egyptian term meaning “vegetable for the king”, is the Egyptian term used to describe the soup. Wikipedia states that a sick Egyptian King, around 6000BC, requested hot soup. He was then healed after consuming hot soup daily. Cleopatra could have also savored the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach, along with its numerous close cousins is found throughout Africa, India, and several other parts of Asia. It will grow in most subtropical and tropical regions all over the world.
It is grown as an annual. It grows to about a meter tall It produces tiny yellow flowers, and produces edible seed pods, and edible leaves that can be continually harvested. It is very robust and rapidly growing. It is a cousin of okra that can be grown in the same conditions as Okra. It doesn’t need shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant that is growing up lattices in green house
Are you interested in establishing one? It can grow in any type of soil and doesn’t care about pH. It prefers soil that is fertile and damp. Pots are also possible. The preparation of the soil is normal. Then, you can plant seeds in the exact spot where they will grow. Spring and autumn are the best time to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds grow better when they are soaked in hot water before planting for at minimum a few minutes, Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. Begin picking leaves when the plant is about 40 cm tall. Seeds that mature on the plant and fall to the soil will remain dormant in the soil until the conditions are right and become next year’s crop. Egyptian spinach is generally healthy and free of pests and diseases. The leaves can be shared with grasshoppers as well as caterpillars but they aren’t likely to get affected with red spider mites. Seeds are available at present from BOGI seeds.
The leaves are very high in vitamin and mineral content. The younger leaves can be consumed raw in salads, زراعة بذور الملوخية or on sandwiches, and older leaves can be dried or cooked. Utilize leaves the same way you would spinach. The leaves are utilized in Egypt in a soup that is traditional which includes coriander, garlic and meat. In other areas, it can be made into a stew that includes cassava, rice and chicken meat. There are many recipes for this plant. The leaves can be dried before being powdered to make tea. They can also be stored for future use in soups and stews for added flavor and also as a thickener . It is sold in Japan through health food shops as a healthy and nutritious tea. Young seed pods are used in the same way as okra.
Since the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been promoted as having health benefits. It is a tea that can improve your immune system and is also said to aid in treating constipation, cancer, anaemia as well as diabetes, cystitis fatigue, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms, obesity, respiratory problems and water retention. Tea made from the leaves is said to aid during childbirth and boost the production of milk for mothers. It is also used to treat rashes, sore eyes, rashes and cuts.
Because of their long, strong stalks The Corchorus genus has many members that can be grown to produce Jute. In the past, زراعة بذور الملوخية this jute was used to make a coarse woven yarn which was then made into rope and a coarse material for sacking. The stems that were the tallest and unbranched were ideal to use for this. The stems were soaked for some time so that the vegetable matter would develop a rotting process and the fibres are easily removed. Then they were washed dried and sorted for use. In some areas it is also possible for this fiber to be used to create paper. Corchorus Olitorius is also known as Egyptian spinach, is best utilized to create Jute. However, some of its relatives can be used for other functions.