Another Fantastic Spinach For Our Summers - Egyptian Spinach
Corchorus Olitorius Egyptian Spinach is an extremely popular summer crop in our region. It's been known as Molokhia/Molokheiya (and numerous other ways to spell it) and salad mallow. Jute mallow, Jew's Mallow and West African sorrel to name just few. It is thought to have originated in Egypt prior to the time of Christ and has been an essential food staple in the region since the time of Pharaohs. The Egyptian name molokheiya means 'vegetable for the King', according to Wikipedia, an Egyptian King in the year 6000BC asked for hot soup while sick. After drinking the hot soup on a daily basis, his illness was cured. Cleopatra is also believed to have eaten the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relatives, grows throughout Africa, India, and several other parts of Asia. It is found in all tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
It is possible to grow it as an annual. It can grow to about one meter in height. It bears small yellow flowers, and produces edible seeds in pods. The edible leaves can be harvested on a regular basis. It is very hardy and rapidly growing. As a close relation to okra many of the same cultivars, it enjoys the heat and is able to handle dry and wet conditions (not wet) however it doesn't appreciate the shade.
Large Egyptian spinach plant growing up lattice in green house
Do you have a desire to grow some? It can thrive in any soil type and doesn't mind pH. It prefers soil that is fertile and moist. Pots are also an option. Making the soil ready is normal. After that, plant the seeds to where they will flourish. Spring and autumn are the best time to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds develop better if they are immersed in hot water prior to planting for a minimum of couple of minutes. Isabel Shipard recommends soaking for at least 12 hours. When the plant is about 40cm in height, you can begin to pick leaves. The seeds that grow on the plant and أفضل أنواع بذور البرسيم (Telegra official blog) fall to the ground, will not be able to germinate until the following year. Egyptian spinach is relatively non-infested and pest-free. Caterpillars and grazers share the leaves with you and during the hot summer they can 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 can be utilized as a sandwich or salad, while older leaves may either be cooked or dried. Leaves can be used in like spinach. In Egypt the leaves are cooked in a traditional soup that includes coriander, garlic and meat, in other places it is cooked into a stew that includes rice, cassava, and chicken meat. This vegetable can be used in many different ways. The leaves can be dried and then ground to make a tea. When the tea is ready you can keep them in a container to make stews and soups in the future. In Japan it is advertised in health food stores as a health tea. It is possible to use seedlings that are young pods in the same way as Okra.
The health benefits of Egyptian spinach have been promoted since the time of Pharaohs. It is a drink that can increase your immunity. Tea made of leaves can aid during childbirth and boost the amount of milk produced by mothers. It can also be used as to wash eyes that are irritated as well as cuts, rashes and scratches.
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. The jute fibers were used over the years to make coarse yarn that was then used as rope or as a packing fabric. The most tall, unbranched stems are the most suitable to use for this. The stems were soaked in vegetable matter for أفضل أنواع بذور البرسيم a few days to allow the fibres to begin to decay. After that, the fibres could be easily removed and then cleaned and dried. In some regions where this fibre is found, it can be used for paper. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is best used to make jute. However it is also possible that some of its cousins can be used for other reasons.
