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Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is getting increasingly popular as a summer vegetable in our part of the world. It goes under many names Molokhia/Molokheiya (and numerous other ways to spell it) as well as salad mallow, Jute mallow, Jew’s Mallow and West African sorrel to name only few. It is believed that it has been first discovered in Egypt prior to Christ, and has been a staple food since time of the Pharaohs. It is believed that the Egyptian name molokheiya refers to a vegetable for the King’, according to Wikipedia, a sick Egyptian King in the year 6000 BC, requested hot soup when he was sick and after drinking the hot soup every day his illness was cured. Cleopatra may have also enjoyed the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relations grow throughout Africa, the Middle East, India and many parts of Asia. It is located in all subtropical and tropical areas of the world.
It is grown in the form of an annual. It grows up to one meter in height. It has small yellow flowers and produces edible seeds in pods. The edible leaves can also be harvested throughout the year. It is very hardy and rapidly growing. As a close relation to Okra, many of the cultivars, it enjoys the heat and is able to handle dry and moist conditions (not the waterlogged) but is not a fan of shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant growing up lattice in green home
Are you interested in establishing one? It will grow in any soil type and isn’t particular about pH, however naturally prefers a fertile moist soil. Pots are also possible. It is easy to prepare the soil as normal. Then, you plant seeds in the exact spot to where they will flourish. Spring and autumn are the ideal times to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds grow faster if soaked in hot, soapy water before planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for as long as 12 hours. Once the plant has grown to about 40cm tall, it is time to begin to harvest leaves. The seeds that grow on the plant, only to fall to the ground, will rest in dormancy until next year. Egyptian spinach is generally healthy and free of pests and diseases. The grasshoppers and caterpillars have a symbiosis with the leaves and during summer they could be affected by red spider mites, but generally not an issue. Seeds are available at present from BOGI seeds.
The leaves are extremely rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The younger leaves can be used in sandwiches or بذور جرجير salads while older leaves may either be cooked or dried. You can use leaves in the same way as spinach. The leaves are utilized in Egypt as a traditional soup made with coriander, garlic as well as meat. In other areas, it can be made into a stew with cassava, rice and chicken meat. There are many recipes for this plant. The leaves can be dried and then ground into a tea. Once the tea is ready, you can keep them in a container to make the next stews or soups. In Japan it is advertised in health food stores as a healthy tea. You can make use of young seed pods in the same way as the okra.
The health advantages of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the days of the Pharaohs. In the form of tea, it can increase your immunity and is also said to help treat constipation, cancer, anaemia and cystitis, diabetes fatigue and high blood pressure high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms, obesity, respiratory problems as well as water retention. Tea made from the leaves is said to aid during the birth of a child and boost the production of milk for mothers. Also, it can be used as to wash eyes that are irritated, rashes, cuts and scratch marks.
Many species of the Corchorus genus are grown as a source of Jute because they possess thick, sturdy fibres in their stalks. Jute was utilized over the years to make coarse yarn. This could later be used as a rope and as a sacking fabric. It was best made using the tallest and most unbranched stems. Stems would be soaked over many days, so that the vegetable matter could begin to turn brown and the fibers could be easily removed. Then they were washed dried, and sorted for use. The fibre is also used to make paper in certain regions. Corchorus olitorius or Egyptian spinach is best utilized as a leaf vegetable while others of its relatives are better used for jute production.