Okra is thought to be native to Africa and is an important crop in tropical countries. It is also an important element of southern cooking because it is one of the few vegetables that remains productive throughout the long summer of the southeast. It is an annual plant and is killed by light frost.
Is okra an African crop?
The Okra, commonly known as ladies fingers, is an important vegetable in African cooking and plays a prominent role in African cuisines. Of all the native food crops in Africa, the Okra is one of the most prolific across the continent.
Where did okra first come from?
Okra apparently originated in what the geobotanists call the Abyssinian center of origin of cultivated plants, an area that includes present-day Ethiopia, the mountainous or plateau portion of Eritrea, and the eastern, higher part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
What is okra called in Africa?
It has edible green seed pods. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of West African, Ethiopian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian origins.
| Okra | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Abelmoschus |
| Species: | A. esculentus |
| Binomial name | |
| Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench |
Is okra popular in Africa?
Today okra is popular in Africa, the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, India, the Caribbean, South America and the Southern U.S. It is not a very common vegetable in most European countries, except for Greece and parts of Turkey.
How did slaves use okra?
When cut open, the okra pods produce a slimy mucus. Because of its slimy nature, okra was first used by white slave owners in the South to thicken soups. Thus, Créole gumbo, which itself is another name for okra, developed in Louisiana.
Which country eats most okra?
Top 10 Okra Producing Countries
| Rank | Country | Production in Tonnes, 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 6,346,370 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 2,039,500 |
| 3 | Sudan | 284,000 |
| 4 | Cote d’Ivoire | 139,187 |
Did slaves grow okra?
Okra, like rice, was one of the few crops slaves were able to bring with them from their communities in Western Africa.
What does okra do to a woman?
Okra is a good source of folate, with 1 cup (100 grams) providing 15% of a woman’s daily needs for this nutrient. Summary Eating okra may help pregnant women meet their daily folate needs. Folate is important for preventing neural tube defects.
Why did slaves keep okra seeds?
There were slaves dragged from their villages, grabbing up okra seeds in hopes of planting them wherever they ended up.
What does okra do to a man?
“Gossypol inhibits sperm production and motility by blocking several enzymes that are highly important in energy metabolism in sperm and sperm producing cells. “Okra seeds are very rich in toxic pigment called Gossypol which promote infertility in men by arresting sperm production (spermatogenesis) even at lower dose.
What is okra called in South Africa?
What is okra called in South Africa? gumbo Originating in Africa, the plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world. Okra (Hibiscus escu- lentus) is also called “gumbo” in this country, although the latter term is more often applied to soups or other dishes which contain okra.
Is okra poisonous?
Inflammation: Okra contains solanine, which is a toxic compound that may trigger joint pain, arthritis, and prolonged inflammation in some people. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, blueberries, and artichokes also contain solanine.
What is okra used for in Africa?
Ethnic/Cultural Info. West African okra is utilized throughout West Africa as a thickening agent in traditional one-pot soups and stews. Cultivated in village gardens, West African okra is widely available in local markets and is also known as okro.
What does gumbo mean in Africa?
okra
Consider the word “gumbo” which comes from the West African word “ki ngombo” for “okra”. West Africans used okra as a thickener in their version of the dish. The original West African gumbo has been described as stew-like, thickened with okra, and containing fish and shellfish.
Which language is okra?
The name okra comes from Nigeria, from the Igbo language, which called the sticky plant – okuru.
What foods did Africans invent?
Since the 17th century, when Africans were forced into slavery in the New World, they and their descendants have had a profound impact on what Americans grow and eat. Watermelon, okra, yams, black-eyed peas and some peppers are all indigenous to Africa.
What food did African slaves eat?
Weekly food rations — usually corn meal, lard, some meat, molasses, peas, greens, and flour — were distributed every Saturday. Vegetable patches or gardens, if permitted by the owner, supplied fresh produce to add to the rations. Morning meals were prepared and consumed at daybreak in the slaves’ cabins.
What crop did African slaves bring to America?
Crops brought directly from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade include rice, okra, tania, blackeyed peas, and kidney and lima beans. They were consumed by Africans on board the slave ships on way to the New World.
What does drinking okra water do?
Okra water is a drink made by soaking okra pods in water for up to 24 hours. Its proponents claim that it boosts weight loss and improves blood sugar management, among other health benefits.
Is okra good for diabetes?
Okra has been found to lower cholesterol levels in lab mice with diabetes. Foods with high fiber content and antioxidant qualities are recommended for those with diabetes because they lower cholesterol.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.