Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, بذور برسيم حجازي للبيع is getting increasingly popular as a summer vegetable in our part of the world. It goes under many names Molokhia/Molokheiya (and numerous other ways to spell it) as well as salad mallow, Jew`s mallow mallow and West African sorrel to name but a few. It is thought to have been a staple food in Egypt prior to the time of Christ and has been a staple food there since the days of the Pharaohs. Molokheiya is an Egyptian word that translates to "vegetable for king", is the Egyptian name for the soup. Wikipedia reports that an ill Egyptian King around 6000BC demanded hot soup and was cured by drinking hot soup every day. Cleopatra might also have enjoyed the similar soup. Egyptian Spinach as well as its numerous close relatives, grows throughout Africa, India, and many other parts of Asia. It will thrive in all subtropical and tropical regions across the globe.































































It is grown as an annual. It grows to around a meter in height and produces small yellow flowers, produces edible seed pods as well as edible leaves that are easily harvested. It is extremely hardy and is fast growing. Similar to Okra, many of the growing conditions apply, loves the heat, is tolerant of dry and wet conditions (not the waterlogged) but doesn`t like the shade.















































Large Egyptian spinach plant growing in the green house lattice















































Are you considering growing one? It can be grown in any soil type and does not care about pH, but naturally prefers a fertile moist soil. It can even grow in pots. Prepare your soil in your normal way then plant seed right where they will develop the most optimal time for planting is between spring and autumn. Egyptian spinach seeds develop faster if immersed in soapy, hot water before planting. Isabel Shipard suggests soaking for as long as 12 hours. When the plant grows to around 40cm high, you are able to begin to pick leaves. The seeds that mature on the plant and fall to ground will lay dormant in the soil until the weather is perfect and will be the the next crop. Egyptian spinach is virtually completely disease and pest-free. The leaves can be shared with grasshoppers and caterpillars, but they are not likely to become infected by the red spider mites. BOGI Seeds currently offers seeds.































































The leaf is a rich source of minerals, vitamins and protein. Younger leaves can be eaten raw in salads, in sandwiches, and older leaves can be cooked or dried. Leaves can be used in like spinach. In Egypt the leaves are used in a soup made of garlic, coriander and meat, in other areas it is made into a stew made with rice, cassava and بذور برسيم حجازي للبيع chicken meat. There are a variety of recipes for this plant. Leaves can be dried then powdered and used as a tea, to be used in future stews and soups for extra flavor as well as to thicken dishes . It is available in Japan through health food shops as a healthy and nutritious tea. It is possible to use seedlings that are young pods the same way as okra.































































Since the Pharaohs, Egyptian spinach has been touted as having health benefits. It is a tea which can boost your immunity. Tea made from the leaves is believed to help in the child`s birth and increase the production of milk for mothers. It is also used as to treat sore eyes cut, rashes, cuts and abrasions.































































Because of the length of their stalks, which are strong and long The Corchorus genus has many members that can be grown to produce Jute. This jute was used over the centuries to make coarse yarn. This could later be used as rope as well as as a bagging fabric. This was best done with the most tall and unbranched stems. The stems were immersed in vegetable matter for a few days to allow the fibers to begin to decay. The fibres could be easily removed, and later cleaned and dried. In certain regions it is also possible for this fiber to be used to create paper. Corchorus Olitorius, also known as Egyptian spinach, is the best utilized to create jute. However, some of its relatives are also suitable for other uses.