Corchorus is a genus of about 40-100 species of flowering plants in the
family Malvaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. Different
common names are used in different contexts, with jute
applying to the fibre produced from the plant, and melokhia (with many similar transliterations from the Arabic: ملوخية) applied to the leaves
used as a vegetable.
They are tall, usually annual herbs, reaching a height of 2-4 m, unbranched or with only a few
side branches. The leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate,
5-15 cm long, with an acuminate tip and a finely serrated or lobed margin. The flowers are small
(2-3 cm diameter) and yellow, with five petals; the fruit is a many-seeded capsule. It thrives
almost anywhere, and can be grown year-round.
The genus Oceanopapaver, previously of uncertain placement, has recently been
synonymized under Corchorus.
Names
The name "melokhia" is said to have come from the Arabic word malek (ملك). It
is said that the Fatimids made the Corchorus an exclusive dish for themselves, and forbade
anyone else to cook it. The word "melokhia" is very similar to "melokia", which means "royal".
Other names in English include Bush Okra, Nalta Jute, Jute Mallow, and Jew's
Mallow.
In Japan the vegetable is known as moroheiya.
Called saluyot in Ilocano, it is a popular leafy vegetable in the Ilocos
region of the Philippines.
Uses
Fiber
See main article at jute
The plants of Corchorus genus satisfy the world with great amounts of fiber
needs. The fibers from these plants are the most widely cultivated vegetable fiber after
cotton.
Food
Young melokhia leaves are used as a green leaf vegetable; Corchorus olitorius
is used mainly in southern Asia, Egypt and Cyprus, Corchorus capsularis in Japan and China. It has a mucilaginous (somewhat "slimy") texture, similar to
okra, when cooked. The seeds are used as a flavouring, and a
herbal tea is made from the dried leaves. Melokhia is eaten widely in Egypt; some consider it
the Egyptian national dish. It features in the cuisines of Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Jordan. One typical dish is a melokhia stew served over white
rice and boiled chicken.
2007 September: Sizzler's, an American restaurant chain, is selling Molokhiya cookies (sweet biscuits) with molokhiya as the
featured ingredient, at the Shinjuku location in Tokyo, Japan.
The leaves are rich in betacarotene, iron, calcium, and Vitamin C.
The plant has an antioxidant activity with a significant α-tocopherol equivalent Vitamin E.
References and external links
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