The seeds inside okra are absolutely safe to eat.
What does it mean if okra seeds are brown?
Some okra seeds turn brown or black when it is getting more mature (like watermelon), where other varieties stay lighter colored. The color has nothing to do with the edibility of the okra, although more mature okra pods tend to get tougher with age.
Is okra still good if it turns brown?
At first, the okra will be bright green, like grass, but as it ages or spoils it will get darker green or brown in colour, or have a motley colour. Dark green or discoloured okra should not be bought or eaten, as it has already spoiled and may cause stomach illnesses.
What can I do with overripe okra?
Slowly cook your overlarge okra into a gumbo or stew to soften their pod structure. The key here is to cut the okra into bite-size pieces, so the fruit (yes, okra technically is a fruit) is tender.
What is the color of okra seed?
Abelmoschus esculentus is cultivated throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world for its fibrous fruits or pods containing round, white seeds.
How do I know if okra has gone bad?
Any pods size longer than 4-inch with okra brown seeds. Visible blemishes or black spots on okra surface. Shriveled, dry, dull-colored, or brown okra. Slimy and sticky okro.
How can you tell if okra seeds are good?
Assessing Seed Maturity
Okra pods continue to increase in size when left on the plant beyond the edible stage. Once the seeds inside are fully developed, the pods will begin to dry and should be harvested when they turn brown and brittle.
Why does okra turn black?
Exposure to low humidity can cause shriveling. Okra is very susceptible to bruising and will turn black. For best quality, keep handling to a minimum; do not drop shipping containers on the floor. Yellowing and loss of green color can occur if okra is exposed to ethylene gas.
Can you eat okra with mold?
Avoid okra that is moldy, limp, or dried out.
Why is there black spots on okra?
The leaf spots are caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora abelmoschi. It survives and overwinters on infected plant debris in the soil and thus infects roots and lower leaves of the Okra plants. The spores are spread secondary via wind, rain, irrigation and mechanical tools.
How big is too big for okra?
It’s certainly going to be much more tender at 2.5-3″; there’s no possible way it’ll be too tough to eat. Larger does mean tougher, but at that size they might still be okay (for example this source says 4-6″ is good).
How big should okra be when you pick it?
2-3 inches
One of the main tips that okra enthusiasts will share with new okra growers is when to harvest okra. The pods should be harvested when they are 2-3 inches in length. Bigger than this and you will find that the pods are woody and not as tender as they could be.
Should okra plants be pruned?
A: You sure can! As our common okra varieties grow in summer, the top of the plant becomes too tall to reach and doesn’t produce as many pods. When they are too tall to harvest, cut your plants down to a height between 12 and 24 inches.
What color are dried okra seeds?
The pods will become hard and woody, and will turn brown. Some varieties may grow up to 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) before they begin to dry out. Watch the plant daily. This is so you can remove the dried pod once it begins to split.
What are the colors of okra?
Generally speaking, okra pods are green and a staple of many a southern diet. A relative newcomer, Red Burgundy okra was bred by Leon Robbins at Clemson University and introduced in 1983, becoming the All-America Selections winner in 1988.
What are the diseases of okra?
- Okra.
- Diseases.
- Damping Off (Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia sp.):
- Fusarium Wilt(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum):
- Powdery Mildew (Erysiphecichoracearum):
- Cercospora Leaf Spot(Cercospora abelmoschi and C. malayensis):
- Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV):
- Enation Leaf Curl of Bhendi:
Can okra make you sick?
Eating too much okra can adversely affect some people. Gastrointestinal problems: Okra contains fructans, which is a type of carbohydrate. Fructans can cause diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bloating in people with existing bowel problems. Kidney stones: Okra is high in oxalates.
Is it OK to eat slimy okra?
This “mucilage” or slime contains soluble fiber that we can digest. Some folks enjoy this texture, while others try to mask the slippery nature of the pods. Keeping the pods intact and briefly cooking (think stir fry) can help to minimize the sliminess of the pod.
How long is okra good for?
three days
Storage and food safety
Okra will keep for only two or three days. When ridges and tips of pods turn dark, it needs to be used immediately. Once it starts to darken, it will quickly deteriorate. To prevent cross contamination, keep okra away from raw meat and meat juices.
Will old okra seeds germinate?
Yes! Even seeds that are thousands of years old can germinate. But proper pre-treatment is essential, and the older the seed, the less energy it has left in storage. Seeds from annual plants aren’t often designed to last many years, part of what makes the germination process so tricky.
Should I dry okra seeds before planting?
Instead, dry the seeds in the open air for a few days, then store them in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Although some okra seeds can remain viable for up to four years, many do not. It’s best to use collected okra seeds the next growing season.