Egyptian Spinach

Egyptian is a quick growing plant, reaching heights of almost a foot in just a month. The plant is bothered by no major pest issues and can tolerate extreme heat, drought and poor soils without any complaints. Each leaf is accompanied by a pair of yellow flower that quickly matures into tender, 2 inch long green pods. At the tender stage this pod can be harvested and eaten raw, cooked or pickled. As the plant grows larger the number of pods produced keep increasing, and provide ample harvests on a year long basis. Harvesting the leaves only encourages even more growth in the plants. The shiny, emerald green foliage is reminiscent of a tropical houseplant, and makes an aesthetic addition to gardens.

Egyptian spinach may not have an established presence in the indian market yet, but that does not make it any less valuable. Firstly, it provides a reliable and nutritious source of food for the farmers and their families. Regularly cutting back and harvesting the plants stimulates flushes of new growth, making it extremely bountiful with very little additional effort. The plant is quick to spread via its tiny, emerald colored seeds and young plants can be regularly weeded out to create additional harvests. The nutrient rich leaves can help alleviate many nutrient deficiencies and the mucilaginous properties of the leaves and pods are also attributed to improving digestive health.

Pestos, Leaf powders, Chutneys, etc are all potential avenues of value addition that can introduce this vegetable to consumers and create demand. Vinegar-pickled or lacto fermented pods are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, and are good ways to preserve the harvest and prolong its shelf life. 

Also called jute spinach, the fibrous stems of this plant are used to make ropes and textiles similar to jute.

Ecological value: The evergreen, lush foliage of egyptian spinach provides refuge for beneficial insects like ladybugs and spiders during the hot and dry seasons, when little else may be available. The year round flowering also creates a steady supply of nectar for pollinators.

 Perennial crops are always healthier for soils as they have more extensive root systems and require less soil disturbance. In this way, Egyptian spinach can be considered a better alternative to annual vegetable crops like common spinach, Egyptian spinach harvests minerals and nutrients from deep in the soil and brings them to the soil surface, enriching depleted soils. Its perennial root systems provide habitat for beneficial soil microbes on a year round basis.