25 facts about rhubarb

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:

• Wikipedia – Rhubarb
• Gemüse.ch – Rhubarb
• Hauenstein Rafz – Rhubarb
• 5 am Tag – Rhubarb
• Sun Snack – Rhubarb

Picture from https://pixabay.com/