Lots of Rhubarb-Trivia

Take into consideration the amount of rhubarb-trivia facts known and
rhubarb hardly remains just a pie-plant.

There is so much to know about this sour vegetable. It really does
have quite an extensive background and unique facts associated with it.

So, we know you can dye an egg, dye hair or even your sweater with it. You can even use rhubarb fiber to make a nice homemade paper.

But, did you also know...


A Bit of Cultural History

The word rhubarb comes from the Latin word "rhababarum" which means "root of the babarians."

The Romans labelled people who ate rhubarb "barbarians."

The Chinese were cultivating rhubarb as early as 2700 BC.

Ben Franklin saw that seeds
were sent in the late 1700's to
the Quakers on the American East
Coast. (Thanks Ben!)

They called it the "Persian Apple" because it was thought to be an exotic fruit from somewhere in Asia.

The Russians took rhubarb to Alaska in the 1800's because they thought
it would protect people from scurvy.

A Valuable Commodity

Over the 19th century, the tea and rhubarb market from China was flourishing.

Because of the reputation rhubarb had as possessing wonderful
medicinal qualities, it became quite desirable.

As early as the mid 1500's, it was much more expensive than the
cinnamon in France. By the mid 1600's, rhubarb was double the
price of opium in England.

There is some documentation attesting to the fact, that if you had the misfortune of being imprisoned, a little rhubarb knowledge could be as good as a "get out of jail free" card.

Apparently, a few lucky people passed on their medicinal knowledge to the "higher-ups" and were released because of it.

Basic Rhubarb-Trivia Vegetable Facts & Ironies

Rhubarb is a great substitute for cranberries because of the
bitterness and the high acidity.

The redder the stalk, the sweeter the taste.