okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus), herbaceous hairy annual plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and its edible fruit. It is native to the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere and is widely cultivated or naturalized in the tropics and subtropics of the Western Hemisphere.
Which vegetable is okra?
Okra (also known as gumbo), is a tall-growing, warm-season, annual vegetable from the same family as hollyhock, rose of Sharon and hibiscus. The immature pods are used for soups, canning and stews or as a fried or boiled vegetable.
What is the name of okra?
Okra (American English: [ˈoʊkɹə], British English [ˈəʊkɹə], [ˈɒkɹə]), also known as lady’s finger, bhindi (Hindustani) and gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow (along with such species as cotton and cocoa) family valued for its edible green fruits. Its scientific name is Abelmoschus esculentus.
Is okra a real vegetable?
Sometimes referred to as “lady’s finger,” okra comes in two colors — red and green. Both varieties taste the same, and the red one turns green when cooked. Biologically classified as a fruit, okra is generally utilized like a vegetable in cooking.
Why is okra called a vegetable?
The okra pod develops from the flower of the okra plant and it contains the seeds which, if saved or scattered, would result in more okra plants growing. This also means that lots of other “vegetables” are also technically fruits: green beans, bell peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers, and of course, tomatoes. What is this?
Which type of fruit is okra?
The fruit of the Okra plant is a type of simple dry dehiscent fruit. Complete answer: The Okra plant is a flowering plant that belongs to the Malvaceae (mallow) family cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions of the world.
What type of food is okra?
Sometimes called “lady’s finger,” okra is a flowering plant with edible seed pods. It grows best in warm climates and is often cultivated in Africa and South Asia. Though technically a fruit, okra often gets used like a vegetable in cooking. You might be familiar with okra as an ingredient in gumbo, for example.
What’s another name for okra?
Okra or Okro (US: /ˈoʊkrə/, UK: /ˈɒkrə/), Abelmoschus esculentus, known in many English-speaking countries as ladies’ fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the mallow family.
What is okra English?
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) are known in many English-speaking countries as lady’s fingers or gumbo) is a flowering plant in the mallow family, related to cotton and hibiscus. It is valued for its edible green seed pods.
What’s another word for okra?
okra, okra plant, gumbo, lady’s-finger, Abelmoschus Esculentus, Hibiscus Esculentus.
What is okra used for?
Benefits and uses of okra. Okra, also known as gumbo or ladies’ fingers, is a warm-season vegetable. It is a good source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. It contains a sticky juice that people use to thicken sauces.
Is okra good for men?
“Okra seeds are very rich in toxic pigment called Gossypol which promote infertility in men by arresting sperm production (spermatogenesis) even at lower dose. “Gossypol are oil soluble and natural polyphenol secreted by plants as a defence against predators,” he said.
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.
Who eats okra?
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.
What is okra taste like?
Okra has a sweet, grassy flavor that takes on more depth with longer cooking and a texture that can be crisp and juicy or dense and creamy.
How do you eat okra?
Five Ways to Eat Okra
- Fried. Dredged in egg and cornmeal and fried to a golden crisp, it’s a “simple Southern classic.” Add a twist by making it curried.
- Gumbo, of course. Try it with seafood, chicken and sausage, or no meat at all; there are a zillion recipes out there.
- Oven-roasted.
- Stew.
- Pickles.
Why is okra called Lady Finger?
The slave owners must have become curious about these green pods, so elegantly shaped they would be called ladies fingers. And when they tried it, they would have encountered the big quirk of okra – the abundant mucilage in the pods that causes slimy strands to form when cut.
Can I drink okra water everyday?
Okra water is generally considered safe. However, it may cause adverse reactions in people who are allergic to okra. Okra is also high in fructans, a carb that may cause digestive issues in some people when consumed in large amounts ( 15 ).
Is okra good for female fertility?
Naturally, eating okra meal or drinking okra water promotes ovulation and so increases your chances of conceiving. Okra water increases female ovulation, fertility, and libido, which helps with conception.
Is okra good for skin?
It is rich in vitamin C and collagen, making it supremely important for skin health and upkeep. The benefits include healthier looking skin with fewer fine lines and dark spots. Okra’s antioxidant properties also help reduce the levels of inflammation in the body and skin.
Is okra good for weight loss?
Moreover, this vegetable is rich in fibre that aids metabolism and keeps your tummy full for a long time, thereby preventing frequent hunger pangs. And last but not least, okra boosts digestion and keeps your gut healthy. Therefore, it is one of the best foods for those who wish to lose weight.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.