Corchorus Olitorius, Egyptian Spinach is an extremely popular seasonal vegetable in our region. It's been known as Molokhia/Molokheiya (and various other ways to spell it) and salad mallow. Jew's mallow mallow and بذور جرجير (try what she says) West African sorrel to name but some. It is thought to have been a staple food in Egypt in the early days of Christ and has been a common food in Egypt since the days of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya is an Egyptian term which translates to "vegetable for the king", is the Egyptian name for the soup. Wikipedia claims that an ill Egyptian King around 6000BC demanded hot soup, and was healed by drinking hot soup every day. Cleopatra is also believed to have taken the same soup. Egyptian Spinach and its numerous close connections grow across Africa and the Middle East, India and many regions of Asia. It will grow in most subtropical and tropical regions across the globe.
It is planted as an annual. It will grow to about a meter tall, gets small yellow flowers, and produces edible seed pods as well as edible leaves that can be continually harvested. It is extremely durable and grows quickly. It is a very close relative to Okra, many of its characteristics are in place. It is a fan of the heat and is able to handle dry and wet conditions (not wet) however, it isn't a fan of the shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant growing up the lattice of the green house
Do you wish to grow some? It can grow in any type of soil and doesn't care about pH. However, it prefers soil that is fertile and moist. It will even do well in pots. Make your soil ready in your regular manner and then plant seeds directly where they will grow The best time to plant is between the seasons of spring and fall. Egyptian spinach seeds will sprout better if soaked in hot water before planting for at minimum a few minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends 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 be dormant in the soil until the conditions are right and become the next crop. Egyptian spinach is virtually pest and disease-free. Caterpillars and grasshoppers will share the leaves with you and in the heat of summer they could be affected by red spider mites, but generally, they are not a problem. Seeds are available at present from BOGI seeds.
The leaf is rich in minerals, vitamins, and protein. The younger leaves can be utilized in sandwiches or salads while older leaves can either be dried or بذور جرجير cooked. Utilize leaves the same way you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are cooked in traditional soups made with garlic, coriander and meat. In other parts of the world it is made into a stew made with cassava, rice and chicken meat. The vegetable can be utilized in a variety of ways. Leaves can be dried then powdered and made into tea. They can also be to be used in future stews and soups for extra flavour and as a thickener . In Japan it is promoted through the health food store as a healthy tea. Young seed pods are used in the same way as okra.
The health benefits of Egyptian spinach have been marketed since the days of the Pharaohs. It is a drink that can improve your immunity. Tea made from the leaves may aid in birth and boost mothers' milk production. It is also used as to treat sore eyes as well as cuts, rashes and scrapes.
Due to their strong, long stalks The Corchorus genus has many members that can be grown for Jute. In the past, this jute was used for making a coarse, slack yarn which was later transformed into rope and material for sacking. The stems that were the tallest and unbranched are the most suitable for this. Stems would be soaked for several days so the vegetable matter could begin to rot and the fibres easily removed then washed, dried, and then sorted to use. The fibre is also used for paper production in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is the best used to make jute. However it is also possible that some of its cousins can also be used for other functions.
It is planted as an annual. It will grow to about a meter tall, gets small yellow flowers, and produces edible seed pods as well as edible leaves that can be continually harvested. It is extremely durable and grows quickly. It is a very close relative to Okra, many of its characteristics are in place. It is a fan of the heat and is able to handle dry and wet conditions (not wet) however, it isn't a fan of the shade.
large Egyptian spinach plant growing up the lattice of the green house
Do you wish to grow some? It can grow in any type of soil and doesn't care about pH. However, it prefers soil that is fertile and moist. It will even do well in pots. Make your soil ready in your regular manner and then plant seeds directly where they will grow The best time to plant is between the seasons of spring and fall. Egyptian spinach seeds will sprout better if soaked in hot water before planting for at minimum a few minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends 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 be dormant in the soil until the conditions are right and become the next crop. Egyptian spinach is virtually pest and disease-free. Caterpillars and grasshoppers will share the leaves with you and in the heat of summer they could be affected by red spider mites, but generally, they are not a problem. Seeds are available at present from BOGI seeds.
The leaf is rich in minerals, vitamins, and protein. The younger leaves can be utilized in sandwiches or salads while older leaves can either be dried or بذور جرجير cooked. Utilize leaves the same way you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are cooked in traditional soups made with garlic, coriander and meat. In other parts of the world it is made into a stew made with cassava, rice and chicken meat. The vegetable can be utilized in a variety of ways. Leaves can be dried then powdered and made into tea. They can also be to be used in future stews and soups for extra flavour and as a thickener . In Japan it is promoted through the health food store as a healthy tea. Young seed pods are used in the same way as okra.
The health benefits of Egyptian spinach have been marketed since the days of the Pharaohs. It is a drink that can improve your immunity. Tea made from the leaves may aid in birth and boost mothers' milk production. It is also used as to treat sore eyes as well as cuts, rashes and scrapes.
Due to their strong, long stalks The Corchorus genus has many members that can be grown for Jute. In the past, this jute was used for making a coarse, slack yarn which was later transformed into rope and material for sacking. The stems that were the tallest and unbranched are the most suitable for this. Stems would be soaked for several days so the vegetable matter could begin to rot and the fibres easily removed then washed, dried, and then sorted to use. The fibre is also used for paper production in some areas. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is the best used to make jute. However it is also possible that some of its cousins can also be used for other functions.
