Here’s why TikTok is going crazy for Jamaican okra juice (the secret is in the “slime”)

Too slimy? 

The health and sexual benefits of the much-loved and sometimes hated okra have been known and renowned for centuries but fell out of favour with the third generations of Caribbean descent as they adopted a palate for more plain, Westernised root vegetables and salad.

“Slimy,” “too chewy,” “bland,” ”overcooked,” are just some of the descriptions used to describe okra due to its “mucilaginous” texture when cooked - especially when over-steamed.

Now, okra is experiencing something of a renaissance thanks to avid Gen-Z TikTok wellness warriors and juicing enthusiasts of African and Caribbean descent extolling the sexual virtues of okra and its “sticky, slimy” texture that is the key for getting women more “wet” and lubricated and men with “harder, longer-lasting erections” and more stamina in the bedroom. Of course, such videos are like catnip to the younger generation, and okra, the once-maligned vegetable your grandma forced you to eat is now gathering millions of views and is currently trending online.

Okra making a come back on TikTok 

Only recently, TikToker Diary of a Mad Black Vegan, posted on her page: “Okra water, for that extra WAP!” and “Queen of Afro-beats,” Tiwa Savage, recently "set social media alight" when she posted on her Instagram stories, herself holding a water bottle with sliced okra pieces, with many wondering "the true reason" why she's drinking the concoction. 

Okra's journey from Africa to Jamaica 

A favourite with Jamaicans for hundreds of years, the okra was said to have been brought to “the island of wood and water” by enslaved Africans between the 16th and 19th centuries. Enslaved Africans brought with them various aspects of their culture, including agricultural practices and food crops. Okra, being native to Africa and a staple crop in many African countries, would have been among the seeds and plants brought by enslaved Africans to Jamaica.

Once in Jamaica, enslaved Africans continued to cultivate okra as part of their subsistence farming practices. The plant thrived in the tropical climate of the Caribbean, and it soon became an important food crop in Jamaican cuisine.

Over time, okra became deeply integrated into Jamaican culinary traditions, used in a variety of dishes such as soups, stews, and side dishes. Its versatility, nutritional value, and ability to grow well in the Jamaican climate contributed to its popularity and widespread adoption in Jamaican agriculture and cuisine.

Today, okra remains an integral part of Jamaican culture and cuisine, reflecting the historical contributions of enslaved Africans and the enduring legacy of their agricultural knowledge and practices.

Nutritional benefits 

Okra is a powerhouse of nutrition, which makes it understandable why it's still consumed today:

It’s high in soluble and insoluble fibre which promotes regular bowel movement and easing constipation

Its rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, folate, and potassium. These nutrients play vital roles in immune function, bone health, vision, and overall well-being.

Contains polyphenols and flavonoids, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Some studies suggest that okra may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it potentially beneficial for individuals with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes.

Sexual powers? 

There’s an old Jamaican expression that associates okra okra with sexual potency: "Okra is the ladies' fingers, but when the men eat it, it's like an okra; they're gonna be standing up too." This saying implies that consuming okra can have a positive effect on male sexual performance and female virility. This was once viewed as an old-wives tale but recent studies have shown that okra water can be a great asset for stimulating female sexual pleasure. This is because glycogen-rich okra helps to raise the level of oestrogen in women, leading to higher sexual stimulation. It can increase lubrication by providing energy to the vaginal cells during sex.

Another female-libido boosting ingredient is potassium, an electrolyte mineral that plays a role in maintaining fluid balance in the body. Adequate potassium levels help regulate hydration levels, which can contribute to improved vaginal lubrication.

Then you have “the slime”. Its scientific term is mucilage: a sticky, slimy substance that is released when the vegetable is cooked or blended. Mucilage has a lubricating effect and may help soothe and moisturise mucous membranes, including those in the vaginal canal.

Its benefits for men in the bedroom is more anecdotal. There is no scientific proof that it helps withstand male erections but it has a number of vitamins, in particular, zinc, and zinc deficiency has been identified as one of the major sources of erectile problems and low sperm count. Either way, the Jamaican community swears by okra for helping men keep their erections for longer.

How to make okra juice 

Jamaicans are renowned for being culinary alchemists, so it comes as little surprise that they have found a way to turn the bland okra you once pushed around your plate into something refreshing, nutritious and delicious.

Okra juice is okra made into a drink - mostly for aphrodisiac purposes, but of course, can be enjoyed as a superfood drink that provides all round health and wellness benefits:

Ingredients:

10-12 fresh okra pods

4 cups of water

1/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk (optional)

Sugar or sweetener to taste

Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions:

Wash the okra pods thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Trim off the stems from each side.

Cut the okra pods into small pieces, approximately 1-inch in length.

In a blender, combine the chopped okra pieces and water. Blend on high speed until the okra is finely chopped and the mixture becomes “slimy.”

Strain the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher to extract the okra juice.

Add the sweetened condensed milk to the strained okra juice. Stir well to combine.

Taste the okra juice and adjust the sweetness according to your preference by adding sugar or sweetener as desired. Stir until the sugar or sweetener is completely dissolved.

Chill the okra juice in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Add ice cubes to individual glasses to make the juice even more refreshing.

Serve the Jamaican okra juice cold and enjoy!

If adding condensed milk is too sweet for you, simply swap it for lime or lemon juice for a tangy flavour, or by blending in other fruits such as pineapple or mango for natural sweetness.

Enjoy!