In the United States it includes all the southern states. The pods should be harvested when they are 3 or 4 days old to encourage the plant to produce more pods. Another reason for harvesting while the pods are young is that pods become tough and fibrous as they age. The pods should feel soft and velvety, be bright green, and bend at the top with little pressure. Dull and dry looking pods are usually old, fibrous, woody, hard, and flavorless.
Older pods tend to become shriveled.
Store pods in the refrigerator in a plastic bag without washing. Wash and scrub okra pods just before cooking and remove stems. Okra is a vegetable that is low in calories. Okra may be left whole, cut in half lengthwise, or sliced crosswise for interesting effects. Okra has a gelatin like or mucilage material that becomes more pronounced the longer it is cooked.