Another great Spinach to enjoy our Summers This is an Egyptian Spinach Egyptian Spinach

Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is growing in popularity as a summer crop in the United States and around the world. It’s known by many different names. Molokhia/Molokheiya (and various other ways to spell it) and salad mallow. Jute mallow, Jew’s Mallow and West African sorrel to name only few. It is believed to have been first discovered in Egypt before Christ, and has been an essential food item since the period of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya is an Egyptian word that translates to “vegetable for kings”, is the Egyptian term used to describe the soup. Wikipedia says that a sick Egyptian King around 6000BC demanded hot soup and was cured after consuming hot soup daily. Cleopatra is also believed to have taken the same soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relations grow throughout Africa as well as the Middle East, India and several parts of Asia. It can be found in all subtropical and tropical regions around the world.

It is cultivated as an annual. It grows to around a meter in height it produces tiny yellow flowers, and produces edible seed pods, and edible leaves that can be constantly harvested. It is very hardy and can grow quickly. It is a cousin of okra that can be grown in the same conditions as Okra. But, it doesn’t like shade.

Large Egyptian spinach plant growing up in the green house lattice

Are you looking to plant some? It will grow in all soil types and is not particular about the pH but always prefers a rich moist soil. It’s even able to grow in pots. Making the soil ready is normal. Then, you plant the seeds directly where they will grow. Autumn and spring are the best time to plant. Egyptian spinach seeds grow faster if bathed in soapy hot water prior to plant. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for بذور ملوخية up to 12 hours. When the plant is approximately 40cm tall, بذور ملوخية you can begin picking leaves. Seeds that mature on plant and fall to ground will lay dormant in the soil until the conditions are suitable and can be used for next year’s crop. Egyptian spinach is fairly healthy and free of pests and diseases. Caterpillars and grazers have a symbiosis with the leaves and during the hot summer they could be affected by red spider mites however overall not too problematical. Seeds are available now from BOGI seeds.

The leaf is a rich source of minerals, vitamins and protein. Younger leaves can be consumed raw in salads or sandwiches and the older leaves cooked or dried. Use leaves as you would spinach. In Egypt the leaves are served in a traditional soup with coriander, garlic and meat. In other regions it is cooked into a stew using rice, cassava, and even chicken meat. There are a variety of recipes for this plant. The leaves can be dried and later ground into a tea. After the tea is prepared, you can put them in a container so that you can make stews and soups in the future. In Japan it is advertised in health food stores as a healthy tea. You can make use of young seed pods in the same manner as the okra.

The health advantages of Egyptian spinach have been marketed from the time of the Pharaohs. As a tea it will improve your immune system and can also be helpful for treating constipation, anaemia, cancer as well as diabetes, cystitis fatigue as well as high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, high cholesterol, obesity, respiratory problems and water retention. Tea made of leaves can help during the birth process and improve mothers’ milk production. It can also be used as a wash for sore eyes or rashes, cuts, and abrasions.

Many species of the Corchorus genus are grown to produce Jute because they possess long, strong fibres within their stalks. The jute fibers were used over the centuries to make coarse yarn. This was later used as rope or as a sacking fabric. This was most effective with the tallest and most unbranched stems. The stems were submerged in vegetable matter for several days to allow the fibres to begin to decay. The fibres could be easily removed, and later cleaned and dried. In some areas, this fibre can also be used to create paper. Corchorus Olitorius, also referred to as Egyptian spinach, is the best utilized to create Jute. However, some of its relatives can also be used for other purposes.