Rhubarb – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is rhubarb?

Botanically, the rhubarb plant is considered a vegetable, but because of its culinary uses, the rhubarb—also known as the “pie plant”—is often thought of as a fruit. Rhubarb is sour, but when sweetened, it is often used in pies, tarts, and jams.

With its large leafy green head and its magenta pink and pale green stalks, rhubarb is quite pretty to look at. But its deep pink stalks are the only edible part of the rhubarb plant. The leaves of the rhubarb are toxic due to their high content of oxalic acid.

If too much oxalate builds up in your body, it can lead to hyperoxaluria, which is when excess amounts of oxalate are excreted in the urine. Excess oxalate can also lead to the buildup of calcium oxalate crystals in your organs. Eventually, this can lead to the development of kidney stones and, potentially, kidney failure.

Although dangerous, poisoning from rhubarb leaves is rather unlikely. A toxic level of oxalate in the body equates to about 170mg per pound of body weight. For someone around 154lbs, this means they would have to consume 5.7-11.7lbs of rhubarb leaves to get a lethal dose.

Where did rhubarb originate from?

Rhubarb’s origins are tied to Asia. However, the vegetable made its way to Europe around the 1600s. Naturally, it was transported to the United States shortly after that.

In Europe and the United States, rhubarb is usually cooked, sweetened, and utilized in desserts. In Asian countries, rhubarb stalks are sometimes used as a form of natural medicine.

What is the nutritional value of rhubarb?

The nutritional value of rhubarb isn’t quite as vitamin and mineral-rich as other fruits or vegetables. However, rhubarb is a good source of vitamin K and provides about 26–37% of a person’s daily value (DV). It also contains 15% of your DV of calcium, 6% of your DV of vitamin C, 3% of your DV of potassium, and 1% of your DV of folate. As a whole, rhubarb is believed to help with digestion and can help reduce cholesterol and inflammation in the body.

A 3.5oz serving of rhubarb with added sugar yields 116 calories. A serving will also have 2g of fiber. Shop for fresh rhubarb.

How is rhubarb grown?

Rhubarb is a perennial plant, meaning it typically lives for 2 years or more. The plant grows better when in a cooler climate.

The rhubarb plant will typically grow to be 2 to 3ft in height and spread 3 to 4ft. Growing experts advise that you should not harvest rhubarb in the first year of planting. In the second year, you are able to take a small harvest, and in the third year, you should be able to take a full harvest.

Rhubarb is sour by nature. However, if you grow rhubarb in the dark, the plant becomes less sour and more tender.

When is rhubarb in season?

Rhubarb is typically available throughout the year, but its peak season is in spring and summer, usually around April to June. See what other fresh produce is currently in season through Instacart.

How do you pick rhubarb at the grocery store?

Rhubarb typically sports a deep magenta hue but will often have some pale green variations within the stalk. When healthy, the stalk of the rhubarb should be crisp, heavy, firm, and have tight and shiny outer skin. Refrain from choosing rhubarb with stalks that look dry, rubbery, or too fibrous.

Although the leaves are toxic and it is best not to consume them, you should look at the health of the rhubarb leaves when shopping for the best produce. Leaves should be full, green, and firm.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for rhubarb via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for rhubarb.

How to store rhubarb

Rhubarb fares best when stored unwashed in an open plastic bag and placed in the crisper (or produce) drawer of your refrigerator. Another option is to store your rhubarb in foil. Do not wrap the foil around the rhubarb so that it is too tight and can’t let ethylene, the ripening hormone, escape. But also, don’t wrap the foil too loosely so that the stalks dry out. When stored properly in the refrigerator, rhubarb should last about 1 to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze your rhubarb and save it for later. Wash and dry the rhubarb stalks thoroughly. Cut them into 1-in pieces for easy and convenient storage and place them on a sheet pan. Put them in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Once frozen, transfer your pieces of rhubarb into a sealed bag or container. Make sure to squeeze out all the excess air (if you are using a plastic bag) and then place it in the freezer for storage. Rhubarb should last up to 1 year when stored properly in the freezer.

How to tell if rhubarb is bad

When your rhubarb leaves become discolored, dried out, mushy in texture, or have visible cuts, it is time to discuss your stalks. You may also notice mold at the ends, large black or brown spots, or an off smell.

What can I substitute for rhubarb?

If you are using rhubarb to make desserts, other tasty berry substitutes are strawberries (with some added citrus for tartness), cranberries, tart apples (like Granny Smith apples), raspberries, and sour cherries. These substitutes have sweet and tart flavor profiles similar to rhubarb, making them excellent alternatives for rhubarb desserts and pastries.

Add rhubarb to your next dessert

Interested in incorporating rhubarb in your next dessert? You can easily shop for rhubarb and have your groceries conveniently delivered via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products.

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