Top 11 Facts About Okra We Just Found Out

Okra scientifically known as Abelmoschus esculentus, also
Hibiscus esculentus is one delicacy many Nigerians `cherish
and relish daily . From the Yorubas in Ogun to the Benins in
Edo and the Igbos in Imo , Okra is one meal that graces
their dinning table. A lot of people know exactly how to
combine it with eba, fufu, amala or pounded yam , but that ’ s
just about all they know about it. Many have no idea where
Okra was first discovered , what you do to yourself when you
eat okra or whether Okra is only known to Nigerians or
white people also eat it. We bring you
answers to all of these and many more in this piece …
– In
Spain
okra
is
‘ quibombo ’; the French word is ‘ gombo , ’ ‘ bamia ’ or
‘ bamya , ’ in India it is ‘ bhindi , ’ and in the eastern
Mediterranean and Arab countries ‘ bamies’ .
– The term okra was in use in English by the late 18th
century.
– Okra probably originated somewhere around Ethiopia,
and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians by the 12th
century B. C . Its cultivation spread throughout North Africa
and the Middle East.
– The seed pods were eaten cooked , and the seeds were
toasted and ground , used as a coffee substitute ( and still
is ).
– Okra came to the Caribbean and the U . S . in the 1700s ,
probably brought by slaves from West Africa, and was
introduced to Western Europe soon after . In Louisiana, the
Créoles learned from slaves the use of okra (gumbo ) to
thicken soups and it is now an essential in Créole Gumbo.
– Today okra is popular in Africa, the Middle East, Greece ,
Turkey, India, the Caribbean , South America and the
Southern U . S .
– Okra is a good source of vitamin C and A , also B complex
vitamins, iron and calcium . It is low in calories , a good
source of dietary fiber, and is fat- free. Vitamin A is also
required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and
skin .
– The pods compose healthy amounts of flavonoid anti-
oxidants such as beta- carotene, xanthin and lutein. It is one
of the vegetables with highest levels of these anti- oxidants.
These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties
and are essential for vision . Consumption of natural
vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from
lung and oral cavity cancers .
– Fresh pods are the good source of folates ; provide about
22% of RDA per 100 g. Consumption of foods rich in folates ,
especially during the pre- conception period helps decrease
the incidence of neural tube defects in the offspring.
– They are rich in B- complex group of vitamins like niacin ,
vitamin B- 6 (pyridoxine) , thiamin and pantothenic acid . The
pods also contain good amounts of vitamin K . Vitamin K is
a co -factor for blood clotting enzymes and is required for
strengthening of bones .
– The pods are also good source of many important
minerals such as iron , calcium , manganese and
magnesium .
Do you like okra soup???