@maninayton Tells You All You Didn't Know That You Didn't Know You Didn't Know About Rhubarb!
A couple of days ago I did a post about making rhubarb gin. It got me to thinking about rhubarb itself (I know, I do lead a sad life!).
After a bit of research, I discovered the following facts about this underrated plant.
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) originated in Asia and was introduced to the West by Marco Polo
As can be seen from the photo below, rhubarb has broad leaves and long slender stalks.
It is the stalk that is edible. The leaf is full of oxalic acid which is toxic to humans and animals.
Rhubarb grows from a rhizome which forms thick clumps. (see the photos above and below)
Rhubarb is commonly used as a pie filling but can be used to make jams, jellies and even wine.
Given its uses, you would think that rhubarb is a fruit. It is, in fact, a vegetable.
In 1947 the USA gave rhubarb a designation as a fruit to avoid the high import tariffs that were imposed on vegetables.
In France during the 16th century, rhubarb was more expensive than cinnamon.
In England during the 17th century, rhubarb was more expensive than opium!
Rhubarb was highly prized for its medicinal properties. It can be used for many things ranging from the prevention of gum disease to the inducing of vomiting!
Benjamin Franklin is credited with introducing rhubarb seeds to America.
Rhubarb can survive for ten to fifteen years in the wild.
Rhubarb root can be used to make a brown dye that was used to colour hair. The stalks and leaves are used for red and yellow dyes.
Never cut the stalks to harvest them. Always pull them from the bottom (see photo above). This will avoid rot setting in.
Stage actors during the 1930's used to repeat the word "rhubarb" to simulate background conversation.
Rhubarb is part of the Polygonaceae family which also includes buckwheat and Sorrel.
The Latin name Rheum rhabarbarum means "root of the barbarians".
Rhubarb can be force-grown under cover in windowless sheds to ensure it is ready for Christmas!
At one time 90% of the worlds forced rhubarb was exported from a 30 square mile (78 square kilometres) area of West Yorkshire.
It was said that in the forcing sheds rhubarb grew so quickly the workers could actually hear it growing.
Before 1939 nearly 200 tons of rhubarb a day were sent by train from Yorkshire to the markets in London between Christmas and Easter.
Well folks, all you ever wanted to know about rhubarb! Bet you never imagined it was so fascinating, did you?
Sources For This Post
Images.
All images are by the author.
External websites
Facts for the post were taken from the following:-
Softschools website softschools.com
Floweryprose website flowerypose.com
Wikipedia wikipedia.org
I hope you have enjoyed this post and would consider following me (I will reciprocate).
Help needed to identify an insect
I visit a major seabird colony on the Yorkshire Coast.
Some close up photography of Cacti
Until next time - take care of yourselves.
LOL! So, my actors were going to do that during filming last weekend.
As kids, we used to repeat "rhubarb" to do the same kind of thing but I had no idea that the stage was where it originated.
Just being nosey, what filming are you involved in?
48 Hour Film Project contest.
I'll post it when the suppression time expires in about a month.
Good luck. I hope you do well. :-)
29 teams submitted valid entries.
If you win at the city level, then you go to the regional.
I doubt we did well enough to win at the city level. Too many pro-groups and we had a few items not finished for the final cut.
I look forward to seeing your post about it.
Also, rhubarb doesn't have to be red to be ready to eat.
And...apparently you can't get the nice thick red ones from the UK, they aren't allowed to import them.
Any idea as to why?
I don't know, but a lot of seeds are banned from other countries, especially those that grow rapidly.
Ya, I can see the reasoning behind that.
That seed whore!!
Spreading your seeds willy nilly! Whatever next......