Rhubarb is an annual plant that is one of the delicious vegetables full of nutrients. For those of you who have never tried this vegetable, of course you are wondering how and what it tastes like. This is a hybrid plant and there is something unique about Rhubarb, where it tastes like a fruit and looks like a vegetable.
Rhubarbs is a plant associated with the jam and jelly industry. It is needed a lot in making sauces for food, but Rhubarbs is not a common plant used in homes so few people know about what Rhubarbs taste like. That is why we feel it is important to explain the taste of Rhubarbs. To know how Rhubarbs taste, read on this article as we will cover them in detail.
Table of Contents
What is Rhubarbs?
What exactly are Rhubarbs? This is a question that is asked over and over again. Some say that Rhubarbs are a fruit and some say a vegetable.
Physically, Rhubarbs are vegetables and consist of leaves like celery but this is the red version. Rhubarbs belong to the Polygonaceae family. This is a plant that has a rhizome and belongs to an annual plant, the stem is thick and fleshy, the structure is crunchy and can be eaten like celery. While the leaves are not eaten because they contain high enough oxalic acid, it may not be good for health.
However, most people misinterpret this plant so that it says it is a fruit, this is because it tastes sour and bitter like the taste of fruit in general. In many uses, foxes are treated like fruit, for example in the jam and jelly industry.
Where are Rhubarbs Grown?
Rhubarbs are hardy vegetables and they can grow in a variety of places and environments. They can even grow in temperatures of 7 degrees to 25 degrees. While temperatures are higher or above 25 degrees, this can cause Rhubarbs plants to be disturbed. Those who cultivate Rhubarbs, usually build greenhouses. The stems are fleshy and the color is dark red, those are the characteristics of vegetables that are often considered as fruit.
In the 1930s, Rhubarbs were first introduced in America, they are grown in various places in America, and it is available all year round, the largest stock is usually available in the spring.
Also see: The Best Celery Salt Substitute
When are they harvested?
Rhubarbs harvest time is between April to May. Indeed they can be harvested at any time, but it is best to let them grow to about 10 cm. So April and May are the harvest season. This plant is dark red mixed with green, in terms of this color does not describe its maturity. Likewise does not describe the taste.
The color of Rhubarbs sometimes varies, some are slightly green, pink, dark red and are generally found with a dark red color mixed with green part of the stalk close to the leaf.
Types of Rhubarbs
Rhubarbs have many varieties, and this also causes this vegetable plant to have quite a variety of colors.
What Are Their Types?
Rhubarbs have many varieties, and this also causes this vegetable plant to have quite a variety of colors.
Holstein Bloodred’ – Dark red in color, strong stems and pink stalks with a sweet taste.
Cherry Red – This type with sweet and soft, long and thick stems.
Colorado Red – These are Rhubarbs with an overall red color either inside or out. This beautiful color makes these rhubarbs a plant used in jams and jellies.
Canada Red – This is the Rhubarbs known as Chipman’s Canada Red, the stalks are red, juicy and sweet in taste.
German Wine – Stems are green with red (pink) spots. Of all the rhubarbs, german wine is the sweetest.
Sunrise – these are Rhubarbs used for freezing, jellies and pies, including jelly.
The Sutton – Sutton is a type of Rhubarbs with pink color, it has pink stripes and there are pink stripes. The texture is sweet so it is a favorite of many people.
Riverside Giant – This rhubarb is green. The stems are very long and green.
Egyptian Queen – Smooth sweet taste, and has a medium long stem.
Valentine – This is a type of red Rhubarbs too but different, the type is very suitable for planting in the yard or in the garden. The stems are pink, the red color will persist even when cooked.
Which part of them is edible?
You may ask, are Rhubarbs edible? If edible, which part can be eaten from this plant?
Rhubarbs plant is similar to celery but he can not be eaten as a whole like celery. Usually the leaves are not eaten because it is very high in oxalic acid.
Stem and leaf ribs if eaten, sour taste, this includes edible plant parts. Sometimes the taste is also bitter, this is if you eat it raw. The leaves are inedible because they are rich in oxalic acid. This is not good for health, the same as if someone consumes spinach leaves in excess.
However, this oxalic acid does not cause you any harm if you only eat it in small amounts. A person is only poisoned if he consumes about 5 kg of rhubarb leaves, this already contains high oxalic acid to a dangerous level. So, for safety, we should only eat the leaf stalks and ribs.
How Do They Taste Like?
Almost 90% of this plant is water, sometimes you think this plant has absolutely no taste, because it is mostly water. But rhubarbs, even as full of water as lettuce, still have a unique taste.
It tastes like fruit sometimes, this makes many people think that rhubarbs are a fruit, not a vegetable. The stems taste like green apples (slightly sour), some say the stems taste like tarts.
Raw rhubarb has a very sour taste, when cooked it begins to taste sweet, and it is perfect for use in desserts.
Although the taste is a bit sour, some people prefer raw rhubarb to cooked. Some people like to eat it with granulated sugar, try to eat it either cooked or raw and get the taste you like the most.
How do we use them as food?
Rhubarbs including vegetables that are mysterious even today are still considered strange and unique. This is a vegetable that can be cooked in various recipes and ways. You are free to innovate with these vegetables, so bring your favorite rhubarbs dishes to the family.
The sour taste of Rhubarbs makes this vegetable often served with strawberries. Both are slightly sour and make the perfect dessert, so it’s only natural that you often see the two together. Rhubarbs are sometimes also an ingredient in pies and in other sweet dishes served with sugar.
More: The Health Benefits of Green Beans Vegetable
Rhubarbs Nutrition and Health Benefits
If you are still afraid of Rhubarbs, you need to know that Rhubarbs are healthy foods that are low in calories. 100 grams of Rhubarbs provide just 21 calories. It also includes vegetables that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
In addition, Rhubarbs are also rich in a number of vitamins and minerals such as dietary fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and many other nutrients.
In addition to the minerals mentioned above, Rhubarbs also contain vitamins such as vitamins C and K. The benefits of vitamin K are to help with calcium deficiency, so that it can strengthen bones and prevent bone loss.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that lowers blood pressure. In addition to vitamin C, Rhubarbs contain many other antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients support our health and prevent premature aging and cardiovascular problems.
Rhubarbs are not only rich in nutrients but there are also side effects, it is a plant rich in oxalic acid which is not for the body. Consuming rhubarbs leaves which are rich in oxalic acid can harm the body. For that, if you want to try rhubarbs, try consuming only the leaf stalks, because oxalic acid is in the leaves.
