Rhubarb is harvested in spring however gardeners must be cautious earlier than consuming it.
Alan Titchmarsh discusses his ‘love’ for rhubarb
Now that spring has arrived gardens are coming again into full bloom, with flowers, fruit and vegetable vegetation bursting into life as soon as once more.
Whereas vegetable harvesting within the UK peaks later within the yr, rhubarb – which is usually considered a fruit – is definitely prepared a lot earlier, and most varieties will be picked from April or Could. Regardless of being a vegetable, the tasty ingredient is historically eaten as a dessert and is usually utilized in crumbles, pies, fools and jams. However gardeners eager to tuck into some homegrown rhubarb this spring must be cautious earlier than consuming it, as solely a part of the plant must be consumed.
Whereas the lengthy, reddish stalks of a rhubarb plant are completely suitable for eating and will be eaten uncooked, gardeners are warned to keep away from consuming the leaves of the plant as these are toxic and might trigger some nasty signs if consumed.
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Rhubarb leaves comprise excessive ranges of oxalic acid (Picture: Getty)
Rhubarb leaves comprise excessive ranges of oxalic acid, a naturally occurring compound which is poisonous to each people and animals, so it’s crucial to take away and discard these earlier than cooking or consuming the stalks.
This acid will be discovered in lots of vegetation, however rhubarb leaves have a very excessive focus which makes them poisonous. If these leaves are eaten it might probably trigger vomiting, diarrhoea and kidney issues in some extreme instances.
In its on-line steerage about consuming rhubarb, Healthline warns: “Rhubarb leaves are thought-about inedible on account of their excessive focus of oxalic acid. In truth, each the stalks and leaves comprise oxalic acid, however the leaves have a a lot greater content material. Oxalic acid is a pure substance discovered in lots of vegetation, together with leafy greens, fruits, greens, nuts, seeds, and cocoa.
“An excessive amount of oxalate within the physique can result in a situation often known as hyperoxaluria, which is when extra oxalate is excreted within the urine. This will additionally result in an accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals within the organs. Within the kidneys, this may result in the formation of kidney stones and ultimately kidney failure.
“Signs of gentle rhubarb leaf poisoning embrace vomiting and diarrhea that resolve inside a couple of hours. Extra severe oxalate toxicity causes sore throat, issue swallowing, nausea, vomiting (typically together with blood), diarrhoea, and belly ache. Very severe signs embrace kidney failure, numbness, muscle twitches, and cramps.”
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says rhubarb stems stay edible via the summer season, but it surely’s finest to cease harvesting them in late June or early July, and to solely take a couple of stalks to keep away from weakening the plant.
The RHS stated: “To reap, select a younger stalk about 30cm (1ft) lengthy, with a leaf that has solely simply absolutely opened. Maintain the stalk on the base and twist gently to ease it out of the bottom. Attempt to keep away from snapping it off, and don’t minimize it, as you’ll go away a stump that’s susceptible to rotting.
“Then take away the leaf, which isn’t edible, and add it to your compost bin. Solely ever take a couple of third of the plant’s stems, so there are many leaves left to maintain it in energetic development.”
Whereas rhubarb leaves ought to by no means be consumed, they don’t must go fully to waste as it’s protected to make use of them for composting in your backyard.
In its on-line recommendation on composting rhubarb, Gardening Know How stated: “Composting rhubarb leaves is completely protected. Though the leaves comprise vital oxalic acid, the acid is damaged down and diluted pretty shortly throughout the decomposition course of.
“In truth, even when your complete compost pile was made up of rhubarb leaves and stalks, the ensuing compost shall be a lot akin to some other compost.
“After all, initially, previous to the microbial motion of composting, rhubarb leaves in compost piles would nonetheless be poisonous, so preserve the pets and children out.”
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