We all know that rhubarb is a fruit. Wait, wait, is it? Oh, no! It’s one of those nasty tricks played on us! Like the one, they made with tomatoes! They all had us believe that tomato is a vegetable! They are even in the vegetable section of the grocery!
But tomatoes are fruits, and rhubarbs are vegetables. Can we have that corrected on the groceries and publish it in the newspaper too? Well, yeah, we cannot do that. But just to be clear, rhubarb is a vegetable that is treated as a fruit in the kitchen! What’s that? What does rhubarb taste like?
I know rhubarb may not be that famous, but it is something that is underrated. I mean, it’s good! But not everyone has found about that yet! Where can you use rhubarb? How do you prepare rhubarb? Is it safe to eat rhubarb? How do you know if its fresh?
What Is Rhubarb?
This celery-like stalk plant is not a fruit, contrary to what we learned when we were young! It has a red to deep purple color which lightens a bit going to the leaves. The leaves and roots are not edible! They have fatal amounts of oxalic acid which are dangerous for humans and animals.
Rhubarb is known for jams, pies, and cobblers. Maybe you had it once in your lifetime, and you just didn’t know back then. Maybe you just happen to stumble upon it on the grocery and did not expect that rhubarb looks like a plant, a real plant! It’s like a purple celery stalk and has almost the same texture.
What Does Rhubarb Taste Like?
What do you know? Rhubarb tastes like rhubarb! I guess that’s not the answer you are looking for! Anyhow, on a serious note, rhubarb is sour when eaten raw. You won’t find the sweetness of the jams and pies in a fresh rhubarb.
It can be eaten raw. Be mindful of the leaves and roots. They are off limits! Biting off rhubarb stalks with a dash of salt gives you a sour, tangy, little sweet taste. It’s sour, but not citrusy sour. You can also dunk if in the sugar jar to make it a palatable snack.
It has a distinct tart flavor, which makes it awesome in pastries and pies! I can say it’s a delicious fruit (I mean vegetable!)! We are all different, but I bet we all love pies!
Where Can You Use Rhubarb?
Aside from pies, cobblers, and jams, there is a lot more stuff where rhubarb can be used. Maybe your family didn’t introduce you to rhubarb when you were young, but you can make a lot of good different recipes from it!
1. Rhubarb Cocktails
You can make a lot of different drinks from rhubarb! For the most basic drink, you can juice it and chug it all down! You can use them on cocktails and cocktails to get that sour punch!
2. Rhubarb Ketchup
Maybe it’s not a fascinating idea you had read all day but, you can add rhubarb to your homemade ketchup recipe to give you a tangier ketchup!
Via chindeep.com
3. Pickled Rhubarb
If you think rhubarb is not sour enough, why not make pickled rhubarb? This is a great accompaniment to the dinner table to clear the palate from strong flavors! Take a bite every time you will eat a different dish. This way you can enjoy and appreciate the distinct taste of the different food served!
Via amyglaze.com
4. Rhubarb Vinaigrette
If you are fed up with your collection of salad dressings and vinaigrettes, a rhubarb vinaigrette can give you a new zing and revive your salad appetite!
How Do You Prepare Rhubarb?
Most rhubarbs that can be brought from the grocery already has its leaves and roots trimmed off. But if you happen to have them with leaves, the first thing you should do is to cut them off and throw them away. Do not feed it to animals.
Via noshon.it
Now that the poisonous part is gone, you can go ahead and wash the stake thoroughly. Rinse off the stalk and remove all the dirt attached to it. Some people want them peeled; some don’t. I prefer to leave it unpeeled to preserve the fiber as it adds to the nutritional value. Should you want to peel it, you can do so as you please.
Gently nick the edge of the stalk using a knife and pull it the bottom. It’s quite easy to peel as the skin comes off as you pull if down. Do this until you have taken the entire skin off. Now that you have it washed and peeled (or unpeeled) you can cut it to about a quarter of an inch to half an inch pieces (or larger if your recipe requires). You are now ready to cook your rhubarb!
Is it Safe to Eat Rhubarb?
Well, I know you may have some issues about the safety of consuming rhubarb. As long as you leave the roots and leaves alone, you are perfectly safe. The oxalic acid is only found on the roots and the leaves. Eating the stalk is perfectly fine!
Final Words
Now that you know have an idea how rhubarb taste like, I hope you will enjoy more of it on your recipes! Go ahead and buy a few stalks from the grocery and cook them. Start with some jam. They are not all that hard to make!Pies are wonderful! If you have been baking pies for some time now, give it a try! Bake some tasty treat for your friends and family! I bet they beg for more!
I hope you have answered what does rhubarb taste like in a clear manner and find this post interesting. Feel free to leave your queries below, and I will get back to you soon! Don’t forget to share this post If you liked it!
Rhubarb is very nice for our health and tasty. I make jam of and I like it!!!