25 facts about rhubarb

Posted on 2 min read

It is rhubarb season! That’s why we have collected 25 interesting and maybe not so interesting facts about rhubarb for you here.

  1. Rhubarb means rheum rhabarbarum in Latin
  2. This means something like “foreign root
  3. Rhubarb comes from the Himalayas
  4. It is part of the knotweed family
  5. Buckwheat and sorrel also come from this family
  6. Only the stems can be used
  7. Rhubarb is often considered a fruit because of its use, however it is actually a vegetable
  8. In the USA, rhubarb has been legally considered a fruit since 1947
  9. The leaves are toxic due to the oxalic acid they contain
  10. Oxalic acid promotes rheumatism, gout and the development of kidney stones
  11. Oxalic acid corrodes the enamel of the teeth, so it is recommended to wait at least half an hour after eating rhubarb before brushing your teeth
  12. The best red-fleshed rhubarb is called “Elmsfeuer” or “St. Elmo’s Fire”
  13. Rhubarb has a digestive (or laxative) effect
  14. It is therefore well suited for a detox or purification cleanse
  15. The flower buds of rhubarb can be used as vegetables and prepared like broccoli
  16. Per 100g rhubarb has only 13 kcal
  17. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and C
  18. Rhubarb has a sour taste due to its citric acid and malic acid
  19. 4800 years ago rhubarb was used as a medicinal plant, but only the roots, not the stems
  20. Only in the 18th century it was discovered as food
  21. In 1937 the area under cultivation in Germany was 1700 hectares, but by 1993 it dropped  between 350 and 400 hectares
  22. Rhubarb grows up to 2 meters high
  23. May to June is when rhubarb flowers
  24. The climatic requirements are low, rhubarb just needs plenty of water
  25. Final harvest is the longest day of the year (June 21)

You can read more exciting facts about the carrot here.

Sources:

Picture from https://pixabay.com/

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