Basella alba
| Basella alba | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Basellaceae |
| Genus: | Basella |
| Species: | B. alba |
| Binomial name | |
| Basella alba L. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Basella rubra Roxburgh |
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| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 79 kJ (19 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 3.4 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 1.8 g |
| Vitamin A equiv. | 400 μg (50%) |
| Thiamine (vit. B1) | 0.05 mg (4%) |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) | 0.155 mg (13%) |
| Niacin (vit. B3) | 0.5 mg (3%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.24 mg (18%) |
| Folate (vit. B9) | 140 μg (35%) |
| Vitamin C | 102 mg (123%) |
| Calcium | 109 mg (11%) |
| Iron | 1.2 mg (9%) |
| Magnesium | 65 mg (18%) |
| Manganese | 0.735 mg (35%) |
| Phosphorus | 52 mg (7%) |
| Potassium | 510 mg (11%) |
| Zinc | 0.43 mg (5%) |
| Link to USDA Database entry Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
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Basella alba, or Malabar spinach,[1] Malabar nightshade,[2] Alugbati or Alabati in Philippines,[2] (also Phooi leaf, Red vine spinach, Creeping spinach, Climbing spinach, Indian spinach, Philippine Spinach, Asian Spinach) is a perennial vine found in the tropics where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable.
Contents |
Names [edit]
- English: Malabar-, Malabar climbing-, Ceylon-, Indian-, East-Indian-, Surinam-, Chinese-, Vietnamese- or buffalo spinach (although it is not closely related to spinach), as well as Malabar nightshade or broad bologi.
- Bengali: Pui shak
- Oriya: ପୋଈ ସାଗ (Poi saaga)
- Konkani: Valchi bhaji (Vauchi bhaji)
- Kannada: Basale soppu
- Telugu: బచ్చలి (Bachhali)
- Tamil: Kodip pasaLi (கொடிப்பசளி)
- Tulu: Basale
- Marathi: Mayalu (मायाळू)
- Gujarati: Poi ni bhaji
- Portuguese: Bertalha
- Filipino: Alugbati,[2] Alogbati [3]
- Vietnamese: Mồng tơi [4]
- Sinhalese: Vel Niviti (Sudu)
- Japanese: つるむらさき, Tsurumurasaki
- Chinese: 木耳菜、落葵, 蚕菜, Saan Choy, Shan Tsoi, Luo Kai, Shu Chieh, Lo Kwai [4]
- Other: Poi baagi, calaloo,
- Thai: ผักปั๋ง (pag pang)
Description [edit]
Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 m in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. The stem of the cultivar Basella alba 'Rubra' is reddish-purple.
Soil and climate requirements [edit]
Basella alba grows well under full sunlight in hot, humid climates and in areas lower than 500 m above sea level, native to tropical Asia.[4] Growth is slow in low temperatures resulting in low yields. Flowering is induced during the short-day months of November to February. It grows best in sandy loam soils rich in organic matter with pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.0.
Food uses [edit]
Typical of leaf vegetables, Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie. The succulent mucilage is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber. Among many other possibilities, Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers.
In Karnataka Cuisine (Karavali and Malnad regions), the leaves and stems are used to make Basale Soppu Saaru/Curry (Especially in combination with Jackfruit seed).
In Bengali cuisine it is widely used to cook with Ilish fish.
In Andhra Pradesh, a southern state in India, a curry of Basella and Yam is made popularly known as Kanda Bachali Koora [Yam and Basella curry].
The vegetable is used in Chinese cuisine. It has many names include flowing water vegetable. It is often used in stir-frys and soups.
In Vietnam, particularly the north, it is cooked with crab meat, luffa and jute to make soup.
In Odisha, India, it is used to make Curries and Saaga (any type of dish made from green leafy vegetables is called Saaga in Odisha).
In the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India, it is used to make bhaji (भजी).
In Africa, the mucilaginous cooked shoots are most commonly used.[5]
Malabar spinach can be found at many Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean/Indian grocery stores, as well as farmers' markets. It has been shown to contain certain phenolic phytochemicals and it has antioxidant properties.
References [edit]
- ^ http://parkseed.com/product.aspx?p=05660-PK-P1
- ^ a b c "Dictionary of Philippine Vegetables". Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ "Laswa nga Alobati with Patola and Kalabasa". Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ a b c "WorldCrops Malabar Spinach". Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Basella alba |
- Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne
- PROTAbase on Basella alba
- Delicious recipe of Malabar Spinach
- Photo and multilingual synonyms
- University of Florida Agricultural Extension
- Evaluation of tropical leaf vegetables in the Virgin Islands
- Malabar Spinach Basella alba, B. ruba (WorldCrops)
