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. It has edible green seed pods.
What is the vegetable okra also known as?
Okra—also known as lady’s-fingers, gumbo, or bhindi—is the most important vegetable crop of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It belongs to the genus Abelmoschus and family Malvaceae. Okra is a multipurpose crop valued for its tender and delicious pods.
What is the local name of okra?
Lady’s Fingers
Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench
| Family Name: | Malvaceae |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | Hibiscus esculentus |
| Common Name: | Lady’s Fingers, Okra, Gumbo, Bendi, 咖啡黄葵, 黄苏葵, 黄秋葵, 羊角豆 |
What is the African name for okra?
ki ngombo
In several West African languages, the word for okra is ki ngombo, or, in its shortened form, gombo.” Early on, the word was frequently used alongside “okra” by English writers.
What do they call okra in the UK?
Okra (also known as lady’s fingers and bhindi) is best grown under glass in th UK, although it may be worth trying outdoors in mild regions, on a hot, sunny patio. The calcium-rich pods are used in soups, stews and curries.
What are ladies fingers vegetable called?
okra
Lady’s fingers is an alternative English name for okra, the mucilaginous seed pods of a plant of the hollyhock family.
Why Lady Finger is called okra?
There is only one slight difference between okra and lady finger. Both are names for the same plant bearing the two scientific names. “Okra” is used in the United States and the Philippines while “lady finger” is used as an English name outside those mentioned countries.
Does okra boost sperm?
Despite its nutritional and medicinal values, okra is associated with sterility in humans especially men due to the presence of gossypol in the seed. Recently, some studies claimed that excess consumption of okra may have injurious effects on sperm parameters, testes weight, and testicular tissues.
Is okra a fruit or vegetable?
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 fruit type is okra?
The fruit of Okra is a capsule which is a simple dry fruit that is dehiscent in nature. A capsule is a multi-chambered and multi seeded fruit that develops from a multicarpellary, syncarpous superior ovary which means that there are 2-3 carpels present fused together.
Why do Africans eat okra?
For the health conscious, okra is a rich source of dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins and a low calorie vegetable. Known in most West African Countries as Okro, and the French speaking countries as gumbo.
What country did okra originate from?
It is disputed where the plant originated, most likely somewhere in West Africa, but we do know that it was cultivated by ancient Egyptians (ancient Egypt was called Kemet, which means ‘black land’ and is believed to have referred to the generative soil in the region).
What is gumbo without okra called?
Some of the gumbos are made with okra, others with filé. Traditionally, gumbos have been divided into two large categories—those thickened with okra and those thickened with filé.
Where is okra in the supermarket?
If you’re searching for fresh okra, the first place to look for okra in a grocery store is the produce aisle, more specifically, look for it near other fruits like tomatoes or bell peppers. Additionally, you can also head to the frozen items aisle to find frozen okra.
Can you eat okra raw?
Okra pods can even be eaten raw. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for you. It’s high in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. Slice off the stem, cut the pods into 1-inch pieces and give them a quick saute to reduce the green taste.
Is okra good for diabetes?
Okra is more than a regional delicacy. Several studies say that it can help lower blood sugar, which makes it another possible tool for those with diabetes. If you or a loved one has it, it’s worth asking your doctor, a dietitian, or a diabetes educator if there’s a place in your diet for okra.
Does okra have side effects?
Stomach problems: Fructans are a type of carbohydrate found in okra, which may increase bowel problems in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Joint pain: Okra contains a toxic chemical called solanine that may exacerbate symptoms such as pain and inflammation in people with joint disorders such as arthritis.
How many types of okra are there?
We have seven okra varieties in our seed bank. African (West African), ‘Borneo’, ‘Burgundy’, ‘Clemson Spineless’ and ‘Prelude’ are open-pollinated varieties, and ‘Ever Lucky’ and ‘Greenie’ are hybrids. African Okra versus Common Okra. African okra (sometimes called West African okra) is actually Abelmoschus caillei.
Can dogs eat okra?
Yes! Okra is safe for dogs and contains vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and folic acid. These vitamins and minerals support the health of your dog’s immune system, metabolism, nerves, muscles, bones, and more.
Why are lady Finger seeds not digested?
Seeds often go undigested.
often contain phytic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of minerals,” registered dietitian Brynn McDowell told INSIDER. If you notice undigested seeds in your stools, McDowell said to consider soaking these seeds before eating to help remove some of the phytic acid.
Can we eat raw ladies finger?
The entire plant is edible and its leaves are usually eaten raw in salads. A green colored oblong shaped vegetable, tapering at the end with tiny seeds inside. It is also known as okra or gumbo. It is often used as an ingredient in Indian and Pakistani cuisine.