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Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is getting increasingly popular as a summer vegetable in the United States and بذور مصريه around the world. It is known under a variety of names: Molokhia/Molokheiya (and several other ways to spell it), salad mallow, Jew’s mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name only several. It is thought to have originated in Egypt in the early days of Christ and has been a staple food there since the time of Pharaohs. It is believed that the Egyptian name molokheiya refers to «vegetables suitable for the King’ according to Wikipedia, a sick Egyptian King, in the year 6000 BC, asked for hot soup while unwell . After taking the hot soup daily, his ailments were cured. Cleopatra is also said to have drank the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relatives is found throughout Africa, India, and many other parts of Asia. It is found throughout the subtropical and tropical regions around the globe.

It is cultivated as an annual, grows up to a maximum of a metre and produces small yellow flowers, produces edible seed pods and edible leaves that can be continually harvested. It is extremely durable and is able to grow rapidly. Similar to Okra, many of the conditions for growth are present. It loves the heat, can handle dry and wet conditions (not the waterlogged) but doesn’t like the shade.

Large Egyptian spinach plant growing in the green house lattice

Do you have a desire to grow some? It is able to grow in any soil type and doesn’t care about the pH but always prefers a rich moist soil. Pots are also a possibility. Preparing the soil is as normal. Then, plant the seeds into the soil where they will thrive. Autumn and spring are the best time to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds will develop better if they are soaked in hot water before planting for at minimum a couple of minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. Once the plant has grown to about 40cm tall, you can begin to pick leaves. Seeds that mature on the plant and drop to the soil will remain dormant in the soil until conditions are right and become next year’s crop. Egyptian spinach is virtually non-infectious and free of pests. Caterpillars and grazers have a symbiosis with the leaves and during the hot summer, they may be affected by red spider mites. However, overall , it’s not that problematic. BOGI Seeds currently offers seeds.

The leaf is a rich source of minerals, vitamins and protein. The younger leaves are great for sandwiches or salads, and the older leaves can either be dried or cooked. Leaves can be used in similarly to spinach. In Egypt the leaves are utilized in a soup made of coriander, garlic and meat, in other areas it is made into a stew that includes cassava, rice and chicken meat. This vegetable can be utilized in numerous ways. The leaves can be dried, and then ground into tea. Once the tea is prepared, you can keep them in a container for stews and soups in the future. It is available in Japan through health food stores as a nutritious and healthy tea. You can make use of young seed pods in the same manner as Okra.

The health benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted from the time of the Pharaohs. It is a tea that can increase your immunity and can also be helpful for treating constipation, cancer, anaemia the cystitis, diabetes fatigue, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms, obesity, respiratory problems as well as water retention. Tea made from leaves can help during childbirth and increase mothers’ milk production. It can also be used to wash eyes that are irritated or rashes, cuts, and scratch marks.

Many species of the Corchorus genus are grown to produce Jute due to their long, strong fibres within their stalks. Jute was used throughout the years to make coarse yarn, which was then used as rope or as a sacking fabric. The tallest, most unbranched, stems were the best choice to use for this. Stems would be soaked for some time so that the matter of the vegetable would begin to rot and the fibres easily removed. They were then washed, dried, and then sorted to use. This fibre is also utilized to create paper in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, also known as Egyptian spinach is most effective as a vegetable for leaf production, while the other related species are ideal for jute production.

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