Rhubarb

Photo: flickr user Svadilfari

About

The stalk of the rhubarb plant ranges from green to dark red and has a very sour flavor with long thin fibers running the length of the stalk. Similar in consistency to celery, rhubarb is usually chopped and cooked with sugar to sweeten, then eaten in a pudding like texture or put into pies and other desserts. The flavor combines well with strawberries. Note: the leaves are toxic and should not be eaten.

Information

Translations: Rabarbers, Rabarbarai, Rubarbă, Rabarbara, Rabarbar, Rabarber, एक प्रकार का फल, Ruibarbo, Ревень, Ραβέντι, راوند, 대황, Rebarbora, Ruwibarbo, 大黄, Ruibarbre, Rabarbara, Rebarbora, Rabarbaro, ריבס, Rabarber, Равен, ルバーブ, Rhubarbe, Rhabarber, Rabarber, Rabarbra, Ruibarbo, Ревінь, Raparperissa, Ревен

Physical Description

Rhubarb plants have long green leaves and reddish leafstalks that are edible when sweetened and cooked.

Colors: red with a tinge of green

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Sour

Mouthfeel: Tart, Crunchy

Food complements: Strawberry, Ginger, Sugar, Raspberries

Wine complements: Rose

Beverage complements: Green tea

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: march, april, may, june

Peak: april, may, june

Choosing: Look for rhubarbs with firm, fresh stalks and perky leaves.

Buying: Rhubarb is sold by the bunch and you can look for them at your local farmer's market.
It is generally available at most supermarkets in late spring and early summer

Procuring: Rhubarb is a cool season, perennial. It requires temperatures below 40 F to break dormancy and to stimulate spring growth and summer temperatures averaging less than 75* F for vigorous vegetative growth. The Northern U.S. and Canada are well suited for rhubarb production. In the United states it grows best in the northern states from Maine south to Illinois and west to Washington state. Once planted, rhubarb plantings remain productive for 8 to 15 years.

Preparation and Use

Look for rhubarb with firm, fresh stalks and perky leaves.

Cleaning: Wash the stalks and remove the leaves. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid which is toxic to humans.

Conserving and Storing

Rhubarb, if not used immediately, can be stored by refrigeration, caning, freezing or drying. It is best to cook them within 2-3 days of buying because they can wilt easily. Keeping the leaves on can help keep the rhubarb's freshness is not used immediately.