What Does Rhubarb Taste Like: How To Enjoy Its Taste?
One of the most popular items in the produce section is the rhubarb. You might be curious what it is and what rhubarb tastes like. This article will be the answer to these questions.
Are you familiar with rhubarb? How about its taste? Rhubarb is indeed popular so you might be curious about it. Have you tried it before? Maybe if you have not yet tried it before, you might be in doubt about this item and questions like what does rhubarb taste like might be in your mind. Along with that, you might also want to learn the different ways on how to enjoy rhubarb and some of its nutritional benefits.
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Getting To Know Rhubarb
When it comes to history, rhubarb has a bit complicated one. Technically, it is a vegetable but it was legally made as a fruit in the 1940s as for saving on import taxes and since it is commonly treated as a fruit. So, is rhubarb a vegetable or a fruit?
Rhubarb looks like a rosy-colored celery. It might be most of the time pink in color but it could also be a pale green. However, the color doesn’t actually indicate its level of ripeness. The stalks of rhubarb are obviously edible, it has leaves that are too dangerous.
The poisonous leaves of this plant contain oxalic acid and also anthraquinone glycosides leading to a number of different symptoms. And these symptoms would include stomach pain, seizures, eye pain, diarrhea, kidney failure and worse coma.
In addition, it is also an ingredient being added to savory dishes or it could be pickled.
What Does Rhubarb Taste Like?
And now, let us learn the taste of the rhubarb. It simply tastes the same as the sour green apples. Some would feel the refreshing taste of rhubarb the same with of the celery though rhubarb is a bit tangier. Because of its bitter taste, it is most of the time added to flavor juices. And once used in vegetable juicing recipes, it will balance the bitter taste of the green vegetables.
Along with that, rhubarb could also be consumed raw however most of the time it has stalks that are chopped and boiled with sugar. This vegetable has a low sugar content and once you add sugar it is already considered as a primary ingredient for pies and desserts. So, for the question what does rhubarb taste like, it actually taste good!
Different Ways To Enjoy Rhubarb
As for knowing the taste of rhubarb, you could eat rhubarb and enjoy its taste in many different ways. Some of these ways are the following:
- Dried: This way could be a time-consuming process. In drying this vegetable, there is a need for you to boil it in the water. Now, add a cinnamon stick as well as sugar to it while boiling. There is a need for the consistency to be the same as the applesauce. Then, pour the mixture on the dehydrator trays lined with the parchment paper. And dry the mixture at 135°F for about 9 hours.
- Pureed: A pureed rhubarb might be a great ingredient added to margaritas. It will provide a tart taste once added to banana smoothies or berries. You might as well make rhubarb jam through slicing and cooking it in few tablespoons of water. You just have to blend the rhubarb, let it cool and simply add the Prosecco or champagne. Also, try adding rhubarb syrup to a freshly-steeped iced tea or simply eat it with some strawberries as a dip.
- Condiment: Rhubarb could definitely be a great sauce. Once used in salsas and chutneys, it could make any savory dish taste a lot better. Rhubarb chutney could go well with roast chicken, duck, turkey, trout, salmon and pork chops. Or you might as well cook rhubarb in orange juice then add vinegar, cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar, and dates into it. Rhubarb salsa could also be done through the use of rhubarb, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, strawberries and olive oil.
- Roasted: There could be the easiest way in order to roast a rhubarb. First is to wash the stalks then pat them dry. Next is to chop them into half-inch pieces then preheat the oven to 375°F and grease the pan using cooking spray. You have to spread the rhubarb in a single layer on the pan then sprinkle a tablespoon or two of sugar. And finally, roast the rhubarb for about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Raw: But before you consider the different methods mentioned above, why not try eating a raw rhubarb? You could simply dip the stalk in sugar or other sweeteners such as agave nectar, maple syrup, and honey. This option is indeed the best choice to really experience the taste of rhubarb. You might also sprinkle diced rhubarb over cereal or yogurt.
Those are some of the most common and best ways to consider if you want to eat and enjoy the taste of rhubarb. The choice whether which one could give you the best experience will always depend on you.
Nutritional Benefits Of Rhubarb
And nutritional benefits that rhubarb could offer must not be forgotten. Indeed, there are numbers of benefits you might gain out of consuming rhubarb. With different minerals and vitamins, rhubarb is indeed a great addition to your diet.
This fruit-vegetable hybrid has vitamins K and C along with B-complex vitamins. There are also dietary fiber, manganese, protein, magnesium, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, lutein and more making this item to be nutrient dense. And along with that, it has a very few calories and also low in cholesterol and fat.
Apart from that, don’t you know that rhubarb could also help in losing weight, increasing skin health and getting better circulations? Well, I hope you know that! It might also improve your digestion, boost your metabolism and fuel your bone growth. And best of all, rhubarb helps in preventing cancer and Alzheimer’s disease plus other different cardiovascular problems.
Great news, right? Aside from enjoying its great taste, great health benefits are also granted!
Final Thoughts
If you are among those who love sour foods, the taste of rhubarb is a great one for you as well. Enjoying rhubarb in any way is also guaranteed. And wide numbers of health benefits are provided. Now that your question, “what does rhubarb taste like”, has been answered, you might want to taste rhubarb as well. Again, if asked about the taste of rhubarb, the answer will always be, it tastes good!
Try it yourself and share here with us your experience about the taste of rhubarb. We will be very happy to hear your thoughts!
