Meet More Chances

Chorchorus Olitorious or Jute is very common in tropical and
subtropical regions from Asia to Africa. It is an annual plant that
can thrive almost anywhere since it is resistant to pests.
And it can be cultivated in farms as well. Jute plants can grow for
about 2-4 meters tall with a few side branches. It has green leaves,
yellow flowers and capsule-shaped fruit filled with small seeds.

Jute is an edible leafy vegetable. The seeds are crushed for
flavouring and the leaves are used in a variety of dishes since the
ancient times. Dried leaves are boiled like tea.

It has long been used for food by Egyptians and Jewish, that is how it
was called Jew's mallows or Jute mallows.

The Arabic name of jute is  malukhiyah. In North Africa and Middle
East it is widely used as green leafy vegetable. In Syria, Lebanon,
Palestine, Tunisia and Jordan it is popular in cuisines. In Western
Kenya, it is called mrenda or murene, and it is cooked with starchy
foods. In Nigeria, it is used in stew and starch based food. Others
call it rama to produce soup. In India, it is called nalta sag and it
is their favorite summer food. in Thailand, it is called as bai po, it
is blanched and eaten with rice congee.

Health Benefits and Nutrients in Jute Leaves

Jute is a good source of vitamins and minerals needed by the body that
promotes health. It's rich in iron, protein, niacin, riboflavin,
thiamin, folate and dietary fibers.

Since it's rich in fiber, it is used to treat digestive problems like
constipation, diarrhea and ulcers. It as well prevents heart disease
and diabetes. And it controls blood pressure and cholesterol build up.

It is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It has a
high antioxidant content in the form of Vitamin E, promoting younger
looking skin and prevents wrinkles. And it can treat pain and
inflammation like headace, stomachache and arthritis.

Many universities conducted research for jute and found out that it
helps in the prevention of diabetes and liver disorders.

Cultivation. Jute is a wild grass so it grows in many soil types. But
in case you want to add some in your kitchen garden or backyard, it is
best grown in nutrient rich soil. Although it thrives in the tropics
make sure to water it once in a while especially during dry season.
Regularly pick leaves to grow new tender leaves. And you can dry the
leaves for future use.

In the Philippines, it is called saluyot. It is used as green leafy
vegetable together with moringa and bamboo shoots. The leaves are used
in making stew or soup and other dishes. The most popular and
delicious dishes are dinengdeng, inabraw  and pinakbet. And some
Filipinos believe that jute included in the diet can maintain youthful
glow and longevity.

And there are income generating ventures for jute leaves. It is the
process of dried leaves turned to powder. The powdered dry jute is
exported to Japan, since the Japanese found the health benefits such
as rich in vitamins and minerals, and a low calorie food as well.

Aside from adding jute leaves in your dishes maybe you can try making
a home made facial beauty mask which  was even tried in Egypt during
the ancient times.