Rhubarb Nutrition Facts

What does a rhubarb taste like?

With a crunchy bite when raw, rhubarb tastes rather sour, although a better term to describe it would be “tart”. Its sour and tangy taste is a combination of citrusy sweet fruit sourness of limes and lemons. Its puckery taste resembles the effect of green, unripe apples, prunes, and grapes.

What the heck is rhubarb?

Here’s where things get confusing: Contrary to popular belief, rhubarb is technically a vegetable. Legally, though, it’s a fruit. In 1947, a New York court actually made the distinction. The reason being, rhubarb is most often cooked as fruit in the United States.

Why rhubarb is poisonous?

And its leaves are spectacularly poisonous. Rhubarb leaves are very high in oxalic acid, which quickly causes kidney failure in humans. About 25 grams of pure oxalic acid is the average amount needed to kill a human.

Is rhubarb like celery?

Despite its similar appearance to celery, rhubarb is no relation. These pink thick stalks are classed as a fruit, and actually part of the leafy sorrel, knotweed and buckwheat gang.

Can you eat rhubarb raw?

Although it can be eaten raw, rhubarb tends to be too tart this way, and it’s usually best when cooked with plenty of sugar. It goes well with both ginger and strawberries.

What are the benefits of eating rhubarb?

Nutrition. Rhubarb is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins (which give it its red color) and proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, which help protect you from many health-related issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

How do you eat rhubarb?

To eat rhubarb solo, dip the stalk into sugar or honey to help mellow out that tart taste. You can also whip up a raw rhubarb compote and add it to your morning bowl of homemade yogurt. Its biting acidity goes beautifully with sweet ripe strawberries (of course), mangoes and even coconut.

Is cooked rhubarb good for you?

Rhubarb is also a great source of vitamin K₁, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. A half cup of cooked rhubarb provides more than one-third of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin K₁, along with two grams of fiber (which helps prevent colorectal cancer), some calcium and vitamin C.