The plant, a native of Africa, also called gumbo in the United States, bhindi in India, and bamia in Arabic countries, is grown in essentially all warm climates.
Is okra originally from Africa?
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).
Which country invented okra?
southern Ethiopia
Related to cotton and other mallow family plants, okra is an ancient vegetable that originated in southern Ethiopia in far antiquity.
Is okra native to India?
According to Zeven and Zhukovsky (1975), okra is believed to have originated in the Hindustani Centre of Origin, chiefly India, Pakistan and Burma. However, according to some other authors, A. esculentus originated in India, Ethiopia, West Africa and Tropical Asia.
Is okra eaten in Africa?
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.
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 vegetables are native to India?
Vegetable origins
| Vegetable | Hindi name | Likely time of introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Calabash | Lauki/Pankaj | |
| Cauliflower | Phool Gobhi | 1822 CE |
| Chili pepper | Mirch | 1550 CE |
| Coriander | Dhaniya | 1000 AD by Arabs |
What is okra called in South Africa?
Description. Bush Okra is a leading leaf vegetable in the rural areas of Asia, China, and Africa, including South Africa, where it falls under the category of leafy vegetables called morogo. It has serrated leaves and small yellow flowers followed by cylindrical fruit capsules.
What does gumbo mean in Africa?
okra
Most food historians agree that this popular South Louisiana dish has its origins in West Africa. 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.
Where does okra grow naturally?
Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) is a fast growing, heat-loving tropical annual found in the wild along the White Nile, which drains in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia. It’s usually unbranched with the trunk reaching 6 to 10 feet tall by the end of the season.
Where did okra originate in India?
From Arabia okra was spread over North Africa, completely around the Mediterranean, and eastward. The absence of any ancient Indian names for it suggests that it reached India after the beginning of the Christian Era. Although the plant has been well known in India for a long time, it is not found wild there.
What is Indian okra?
Okra, or bhindi is a delicious pod that is an indispensable ingredient in stews, curries, deep fried or grilled. Easy to grow and extremely productive. In India, okra is referred to as “Ladies Fingers”. Indian varieties of okra are an attractive dark green, with fruits that remain tender longer.
What do they call okra in India?
bhindi
Okra, called bhindi in Hindi (or lady fingers in Indian English, which has to be the cutest name for them!), has to be one of the oddest vegetables.
What is okra called in West Africa?
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 cultures use okra?
The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of West African, Ethiopian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian origins. Cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world, okra is used in the cuisines of many countries.
What is the difference between okra and OKRO?
What is the difference between Okro and Okra? Okra is referred to as okro in some West African countries but they are basically the same thing.
Is okra a black food?
When the Africans arrived they brought with them some foods that we commonly eat today. Two nutritious foods that we commonly eat in North Carolina that are native to Africa are black eyed peas and okra.
Do Americans eat okra?
The English word ‘okra’ is derived from the Twi word ‘nkuruma’ and is famous in the United States as the thickening agent in the gumbo stews of Louisiana.
Who brought okra to the Caribbean?
By the 1700s, Okra was brought to the Caribbean and the U.S by slaves from West Africa. In Louisiana, the Créoles learned from slaves the use of okra to thicken soups, and it is now essential in Créole Gumbo.
Which vegetables are not Indian?
Three Most Consumed Non-Native Vegetables in India
- Potato. The most popular among vegetables, potato, has its root in South America.
- Tomato. This flavorful, tangiest delight first originated in western South America and Central America.
- Chili pepper. Most people mistake Chili pepper to have originated from India.
Which fruit is only found in India?
Bael is an extremely unique fruit which are grown in Himalayas, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The fruit is typically eaten fresh, dried or can be consumed in juice form too. Bael fruit also helps in curing several diseases like digestive disorders.