Health and Beauty Benefits of Ewedu Leaves
My grandma prepared Ewedu for us on our recent trip to Nigeria and it was delicious. For a certain member of the 9jafoodie team *cough* it was his first time seeing ewedu, I came to the realization that the soup doesn’t have enough main stream exposure. So here is my exposé on Ewedu.
In the average Yoruba household, ewedu is served with stew/gbegiri and either Eba(Garri) or Amala.
Ewedu Plant : Google image
Nutritional Information
- Ewedu leaves pack the antioxidant trio of Vitamins A, C and E which fend off free radicals thereby protecting the body from degenerative diseases. The ACE vitamins also happen to be the most beautifying vitamins, increasing collagen production to keep the skin firm and young-looking. This is why most people belief that ewedu was Cleopatra’s beauty secret
– Vitamin A, aids in repairing the body’s cells and improves eyesight
– Vitamin C improves circulation and helps lower the risk of eye disorders
– Vitamin E slows down the aches and pains associated with aging and increases stamina
– Calcium contributes to strong teeth and bones
- Half a cup of prepared ewedu will give you the following nutrients: 20 calories ,0.3 grams of fat, 3.1 grams of carbohydrate, 0.4 grams of fiber, 1.3 grams of protein, 87 mg of calcium, 22 mg of phosphorous, 1,334 IU of beta-carotene, 1 mg of iron, 0.02 mg of thiamin, 0.04 mg of riboflavin, 0.3 mg of niacin, 10 mg of Vitamin C, 48.9 IU of Vitamin E
- Ewedu is a great option for those trying to loose weight. 1 cup mixed ewedu soup with a handful large prawns and no oil has less than 100 calories in comparison to same amount of Egusi with over 400 calories
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of fresh ewedu leaves (de-veined and finely chopped)
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon locust beans (Optional)
- 1 cube magi
- Salt to taste
Direction:
- Place a medium size pot on high heat, add in the water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium; add in the fresh ewedu leaves. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the leaves are very tender
- Add in the locust beans, magi and salt. Stir. Taste and adjust for seasoning
- Simmer for another minute.
Your ewedu is ready to serve.
Industrial Information
The stem of the ewedu plant play a very important role as an industrial-grade fiber. It is second only to cotton as the most widely produced fiber. Jute fiber comes from the stem and ribbon (outer skin) of the plant. The fibers are first extracted by retting and the resulting by product is used to make sacks, coarse cloth, curtains, chair coverings, carpets and area rugs.
Have you ever tried Ewedu soup?
I just prepared Ewedu alasepo for my family for the first time (I’m not Yoruba),my second son didn’t like it. But I was hungry again @ to 12am so I just scooped a few spoonful of the soup and fish and I licked & drank water: I feel full .
Ewedu is also good for the treatment of malaria
I stumbled on this because I noted Yarin growing freely and wildly at my backyard (We are blessed in Nigeria). So I google and got to this discussion on ewedu. Note that ewedu also aids digestion and easier move of bowels. For those of us living in Nigeria, the stress of plucking it off-stem can be tasking for busy mothers, but it is worth it. I also advise you get the seed and plant it if you have the space. Actually so much industrial fertilizers are being added to vegetables nowadays. I prefer natural manure added to my natural vegetables. Thanks Ronke.
Thanks for the addition
Please how is ewedu alasepo made. Thanks
Hi! It’s exactly like Ila alespo but with ewedu instead of okra. Checkout the ila asepo recipe here
I love ewedu,ewedu eaten on its own,without the eba or amala,Just a very good spoon and a plate of Ewedu and Fresh Fish will do.
You are the real fitfam Shola.
it’s true o
Oshey! Ewedu here I come…My future wife go hear wen #SuperCookInTheMaking…lol
What happens if I blend the ewedu before boiling it? Will it still draw?
That works as well, yes it will.
Brings back old memories of what our mama used to serving us then when we are of tender age. Infact, it’s the baby’s first meal,smooth down their throat, ewedu “Koro”
hello. Please what are the protein foods I can make. I’m on a NO Carb diet
will the ewedu draw without adding the akanu
yes it will
Potash added actually destroys the vitamin content in the ewedu. I know our mothers have always prepared it this way but a healthier alternative is just to blend it with little water until nearly smooth and elastic, dont make it too smooth. Add the locust beans, crayfish (Maggi is not healthy) and a little sea salt – you can also add sprinkles of egusi for that traditional feel. Dont cook until boiling, you just need to turn a few times until heat is evenly distributed and turn off the heat. Cooking for long also kills the vitamins.
Akaun/potash is not needed at all for ewedu. I don’t use it at all yet my ewedu comes out fine
It’s traditionally added into the soup.
Amazing ! i never knew Ewedu had so much benefits. it will be my new beauty secret. lol
right!! make sure you share the secret
Hey naija foodie. I’m new here on your blog and I’m loving it.
Just wanted to point out a few things about the ewedu cooking process:
1) please skip akaun since it has been linked to heart disease. You can try baking soda instead.
2) you can cook ewedu fast by blending the leaves whole with a little water then adding powdered locust beans and bringing the product to boil just for just 2 mins. It’s heavenly!
Thanks for the addition
Try dis too, blend ur ewedu, add a little potash & cook for just 5minutes or so but add ur locust beans (iru woro or iru Pete), ground crayfish & boullion cubes(e.g knorr chicken, Suppy chicken) while cooking when its almost done. **Pls note do not use salt again if u are using d boullion cubes & do not over cook….am sure u’ll love Ewedu d more if u try dis out & get it right. Just my style, crystads style of cooking jute veggie!
Thanks for the addition
Please what’s the recipe for the gbegiri?
https://www.9jafoodie.com/2012/01/gbegiri-and-tuwo-shinkafa/ recipe for gbegirl
Nice one. But I thought you have to shred the ewedu leaves into tiny bits before cooking. Alternatively, after cooking, you use the traditional broom to beat it to enhance the texture.
Otherwise, you cannot serve it like that. It will not make the ewedu texture. But we have the frozen ones in the UK that have already been shredded or slightly blended. These, you can cook and serve without beating.
great point… finely chopping the ewedu before cooking eliminates the need to “beat” the ewedu.
You do not need magi while preparing Ewedu, Locust bean is okay
It’s a matter of preference.
if using frozen ewedu/molokhai how would you prepare it
this is nice naija foodie. i did a simmilar write up on ewedu. thumbs up,love your plating of food.
http://www. rohsspace-stuff.blogspot.com/2013/07/preserving-green-leafy-vegetables-by.html
Hmmm….i ll add ewedu to my everyday menu, no wonder the yoruba’s are stronger at old age and live longer than any other tribe in Nigeria, i ‘ve discovered the secret.
I have discovered the secret of Ewedu!
lol @ stronger Yoruba women
Thanks for ds info. What is d fertility benefit of ewedu? Thanks
Amala and Ewedu is a Classic combination. Smooth ewedu and smooth Amala down the throat. Salivating as I write this. Thanks for the info on the Jute leaves!!!
Magnificent web site. A lot of helpful information here.
I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And of course, thanks to your sweat!
The colors of this dish are amazing! Hope you are well!
Thanks Adhis…I am well.
where can we see ewedu in the U.S.?
It’s sold frozen in most grocery store as Jute leaf, saluyot or malokhia
Not in most grocery stores. It is sold only in African stores.
Ewedu isn’t only consumed by Africans, it’s eaten all over the world. Frozen ewedu is available at my national chain grocery store.
THANK YOU
Ewedu is called molukia…..but åm not sure if i get the Spelling right…
*Mulukhiyah
what is the english name for Ewedu?
Jute leaf, Saluyot, mulukhiyah
thanks for this answer, now its on my grocery list. . . :D
Ewedu Is very gud even 4pregnant woman. Rinse and squeeze it,sieve and drink up is very gud 4save delivery. Neva say neva
Thanks for the addition
OSE O
Ewedu can be cooked without potash, just make sure u cook ur ewedu soft before beatten it. Or better still u can blend or chop it b4 cooking
Can we cook ewedu without potash
mmmh…………. looks appealing. Ewedu is a recipe for healthy eating and by the way I came across this competition that I think you would be just the right person for! It is about creating the national dish of your country. What would you say that is for Nigeria?? Would be awesome if you could be the representative for your country :) Here’s more info about it: http://www.slideshare.net/IngredientMatcher/competition-from-ingredient-matcher-cook-your-national-dish-25773568:
And here’s their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/IngredientMatcher
Thanks for sharing
I luv ewedu but i never knew it was good for people who wants to slim down.am already slim enough i need food that will make me add.
it okey for somebody to prepared it and drink it?
Yes!
This is my favourite way of consuming Ewedu. Especially when I’m in an extended fast, I like to drink a tall glass of warm ewedu right after my first glass of water in the evening, then my light meal a few minutes later. After only a few days people start asking me what cream I’m using. Needless to say hardly can anyone guess my age right. Usually 8 – 10 years Off!
Love my greens Mehhhhnnnn!!!
wow! ewedu smoothie… I might just try that
Good job foodie, I had 2 cook ewedu majorly because my husband loves it (he is from that side of 9ja that love soup) and I have come to enjoy it too. About your ewedu cooking direction your left out blending with blender or mashing with local small broom. Also egusi is added 4 flavour. Have u tried ewedu alase po.( Ewedu combo…meat, ponmo,etc). Takia
I LOVE ewedu. Its my very favorite!!
I like ewedu for its nutritious package, but must you cook it with potash? I hear potash is not very good for the stomach. Thanks.
You don’t have to cook with potash. I don’t and it turns out great.
Thanks for the addition
I never knew ewedu was this easy to make O! Back in the boarding house during my secondary school days, I used to enjoy ewedu a whole lot with stew and amala (Brings back memories). Would definitely try it out very soon. Welcome back dearie :).