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Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is growing in popularity as a summer crop in our part of the world. You can call it Molokhia/Molokheiya as well as many other names. It is believed to have been a staple food in Egypt in the early days of Christ and was the staple food of Egypt since the time of Pharaohs. Molokheiya, which is an Egyptian term meaning «vegetable for kings» is the Egyptian name of the soup. Wikipedia reports that an ill Egyptian king around 6000BC requested hot soup and was cured by drinking hot soup regularly. Cleopatra could have also savored the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach together with its numerous close relatives can be found all over Africa, India, and many other parts of Asia. It will thrive in all tropical and sub tropical regions throughout the world.
It can be grown in the form of an annual. It grows to approximately an metre high, bears small yellow flowers, and produces edible seeds that are shaped like pods. The edible leaves can be harvested on a regular basis. It is extremely durable and quick growing. It is a very close relative to Okra, many of the same growing conditions apply, loves the heat and is able to handle dry and wet conditions (not wet) but doesn’t like the shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant growing up in the green house lattice
Are you thinking of growing one? It can thrive in any soil type and doesn’t care about pH. However, it prefers fertile soil that is well-drained. It’s even able to grow in pots. Prepare your soil in your normal way then plant seed right where they will develop, the best planting time is between spring and autumn. Egyptian spinach seeds will grow faster if bathed in soapy hot water prior to planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for up to 12 hours. The time to pick leaves is when the plant is 40cm high. Seeds that mature on plant and drop to the ground will lie dormant within the soil until weather is appropriate and they will grow into the next crop. Egyptian spinach is relatively disease and pest free. The leaves can be shared with grasshoppers and caterpillars, but they are unlikely to be infected with red spider mites. BOGI Seeds offers seeds currently.
The leaves are extremely rich in vitamin and mineral content. The younger leaves can be consumed raw in salads, on sandwiches and the older leaves cooked or dried. Use leaves as you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are used in a traditional soup with garlic, coriander and شكل بذور الملوخية meat, in other areas it is made into a stew that includes rice, cassava, شكل بذور الملوخية and chicken meat. This vegetable can be utilized in many ways. The leaves can be dried and then ground to make a tea. After the tea is ready you can store them in a container so that you can make the next stews or soups. In Japan it is advertised in health food stores as a nutritious tea. It is possible to use seedlings that are young pods the same way as Okra.
Since the time of the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been widely praised for its health benefits. It is a tea that can increase your immunity. Tea made of leaves is believed to help during the birth of a child and boost milk production for mothers. It can be used for treating eye sores, rashes and cuts.
Many of the species in the genus Corchorus are used as a source of Jute because they possess large, strong fibres that are found in their stalks. Jute was used throughout time to create coarse yarn that was later used as rope as well as as a material for sacking. The tallest, most unbranched, stems were the best choice to use for this. The stems were soaked in vegetable matter for a few days in order to allow the fibres to begin to decay. After that, the fibres could be easily removed and then cleaned and dried. In some regions it is also possible for this fiber to be used to make paper. Corchorus Olitorius, which is also known as Egyptian spinach, is the best used to make jute. However certain of its relatives are also suitable for other functions.