Malabar Spinach/Basale/Poi Saga is very low in calories and fats. Nevertheless, it holds an incredibly good amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Malabar spinach is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, and calcium. The nearly palm-sized leaves are fleshy, and when eaten raw they have a slight crunchiness and taste of lemon and pepper. When cooked, the leaves and stems taste more like spinach, although the texture is denser. Malabar spinach leaves can be substituted for true spinach in soups, curries, omelets, and souffls.