Learn all about Rhubarb! From rhubarb benefits and nutrition, how to pick rhubarb, even delicious rhubarb recipes
FUN FACT: Rhubarb was actually used as medicine and a healing ointment in earlier centuries. (1)
WHAT IS RHUBARB?
Rhubarb is a vegetable that has poisonous leaves and edible stalks. While it looks like celery, it’s definitely not and many even think it is a fruit because of the way it’s used. It has a pinkish red hue but can also be slightly green, neither of which is an indicator of sweetness or ripeness. It’s naturally tart, but once you cook it and add a sweetener that’s where it really shines.
BENEFITS OF RHUBARB
Rhubarb is one of those vegetables that most people shy away from because they don’t know what to do with, but you should definitely try it at least once or twice before ruling it out.
Rhubarb is also loaded with antioxidants. The beautiful red color is from anthocyanins which provide tons of health benefits including possibly preventing heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers. .(2)
A study showed that Rhubarb fiber supplementation results in a significant lowering of cholesterol. The stalk fiber showed lowering in total and even LDL cholesterol. (3)
RHUBARB NUTRITION
1 cup, diced raw rhubarb contains (4)
- 26 calories
- .2g fat
- .1 g polyunsaturated fat
- 5 mg sodium
- 351 mg potassium (10%DV)
- 6g carbohydrates
- 2.2g fiber (8%DV)
- 1.3g sugar
- 1.1g protein
- 105 mg calcium (10%DV)
- 35.7 mcg vitamin K (45%DV)
- 9.8 mg vitamin C (16%DV)
- 0.2 mg manganese (12%DV)
- 105 mg calcium (10%DV)
- 14.6 mg magnesium (4%DV)
WHEN IS RHUBARB IN SEASON?
Rhubarb is in season from early spring and throughout summer. Peak season is April through June.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GROW RHUBARB?
IS RHUBARB POISONOUS?
Rhubarb leaves contain poisonous substances and should not be consumed. The leaves contain oxalic acid which is a nephrotoxic acid that is actually present in many plants. Rhubarb stalks are edible although they do contain a small amount – we suggest eating rhubarb in moderation.
HOW TO STORE RHUBARB
We store it in the crisper drawer in a reusable produce bag for up to a week.
HOW TO PICK RHUBARB
You want nice firm stalks, not dried out or limp. It doesn’t need to be fully red for picking. Stalks should be about 12-18 inches when picking.
CAN YOU FREEZE RHUBARB
Absolutely! We suggest cutting into bite-size pieces, about 1-inch cubes. You’ll want to quickly cook your rhubarb in a big pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then throw into a bowl with ice and water to blanch. Remove from the water and dry quickly. Once the rhubarb is dry you can freeze. For freezing, you can follow our tutorial on how to freeze peaches after cooking and blanching the rhubarb.
HOW TO USE RHUBARB
Rhubarb is almost always cooked due to its bitter taste – sugar, maple syrup, or honey really sweetens it up! Rhubarb is also commonly paired with strawberries.
RHUBARB RECIPES
Looking for recipes using rhubarb? here are a few delicious ones to try!
I planted Red rhubarb this last May and it grew very will with huge leaves and long thick stalks, However the stalks did no turn red, only the bottom 1/3 or so did.
Can you tell why that was?
Thanks
Darlene
There can be a few variables, from not correct pH of the soil or even using a variety that is just green vs red-stemmed.
Is it ok to pick rhubarb in September and freeze it ?
It would really depend on the area and the plant, but most stop picking around June, latest July.
Can you tell me pound of rhubarb equals how many ounces of fruit when cooked? I buying some for the first time, unsure how much to purchase.
Great question! One pound of fresh rhubarb yields about 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups of cooked fruit, which is roughly 12 to 14 ounces. Hope you enjoy your first time using it—it’s such a unique and delicious ingredient!