Table of Contents
Where can you grow chaya?
Chaya spinach is an understory species in forests and as such is ideal grown in shade under fruit trees or palms. Water the chaya canes thoroughly before transplanting. The spiraling roots of the starts should be trimmed so they are growing downward and the planting hole needs to be deep enough so they hang vertically.
How long does chaya take to grow?
The first year chaya grows very slowly, so this is a multi-year project if you want to grow your own. After Year One, it will grow much faster, and will reach 6 feet tall eventually, larger in places like Florida. In its native Yucatan, chaya can grow much, much larger, like 20 feet tall.
Is chaya plant edible?
Its leaves are edible cooked. In fact, it’s an outstanding green generally twice as nutritious as spinach, Chinese cabbage or amaranth. The leaves are very high in protein, calcium, iron, carotene, and vitamins A, B and C. In fact, Chaya can have 10 times as much vitamin C as the orange.
How do you grow a chaya plant?
Chaya plants grow well in shady spots, especially under fruit or nut trees. Add aged manure or compost to the planting hole, so that the nutrients can get through. Chaya plants grow well if you can keep the soil moist constantly. So, water the plants regularly.
What is chaya plant good for?
Medicinal: Chaya is traditionally used in Mexico and Central America to prevent and treat such diverse conditions as inflammation, diabetes (there is strong evidence for this benefit), obesity, heart disease (it lowers LDL-cholesterol and high blood pressure), fever, kidney stones, varicose veins, gastro-intestinal.
Can you grow chaya indoors?
If you live further north than its natural range, chaya can be successfully grown in a pot and brought indoors as a house plant during freezing weather. I’ve found these guys to be quite tolerant of a wide range of conditions and soil. I’ve grown them in shade and in sun; in poor soil and in rich. They’re not picky.
Does chaya need full sun?
You should plant Chaya during the early spring as the warm weather rolls in. Chaya is most productive when grown in full sun with rich soil. However, Chaya is a tough plant and can be grown in less than optimal conditions, it just won’t be as productive.
How do you harvest chaya leaves?
Chaya is easily propagated by stem cuttings. Make a 6-12 inches cutting from a woody part of the stem and be sure that there are at least a few nodes on the cutting. Remove all leaves and let the cutting air dry for a 2-3 days. This will allow the cut ends to seal, making them less susceptible to rotting.
What are chaya leaves?
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, commonly known as chaya, tree spinach, or spinach tree, is a large, fast-growing and leafy perennial shrub that is believed to have originated in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. It is a popular leaf vegetable in Mexican and Central American cuisines, similar to spinach.
Can you drink chaya water?
Eating & Drinking Chaya Raw chaya leaves contain hydrocyanic acid. In other words, they are considered toxic. That said, chaya is considered safe in small portions, and is often consumed raw in natural juices. Finally, chaya should never be cooked or stored in aluminum foil as it can produce a toxic reaction.
Can you eat chaya stems?
Young leaves and the thick, tender stem tips are the parts of the Chaya plant that people eat, although the older leaves can also be cooked and eaten.
How do you make chaya tea?
Here is how to make Chaya Tea: Chaya tea – five large chaya leaves (more if smaller). Cut up into small pieces and oiled lightly in one liter water for 20 minutes. Cool. Add pinch of salt and squeeze of lime.
What is chaya juice?
Chaya is a bush-type plant native to the Yucatan that has edible leaves much like spinach and is used widely by Maya natives in Mexico. Wash all the green leaves thoroughly and put in blender with juices. Blend until it reaches a smooth consistency, then pass through a fine colander to remove pulp and fiber.
What can I do with Tree Spinach?
Tree Spinach is edible and the young shoots are a little like spinach. You can eat them raw in salads. Older leaves lose the flavour and become tough, but taste rather good steamed for a couple of minutes and served with butter.
How long do you cook chaya?
Chaya is traditionally cooked for 20 minutes and served with butter or oil. The reason it shouldn’t be cooked in an aluminum pot is the possibility of a toxic reaction that can result in diarrhea. I’ve eaten chaya and liked it.
