Gardeners harvesting rhubarb in spring have to be cautious earlier than consuming it.
Alan Titchmarsh discusses his ‘love’ for rhubarb
It is the ultimate month of the spring season which suggests gardens are again in full bloom, with flowers, fruit and vegetable vegetation all bursting with life as soon as once more.
Whereas vegetable harvesting peaks within the UK later within the yr, rhubarb – which is commonly regarded as a fruit – is definitely prepared a lot earlier, and backyard rhubarb is usually harvested from April by to early July. Stalks are able to be picked after they attain round seven to fifteen inches lengthy, and are purple and inexperienced in color.
Regardless of being a vegetable, the tasty ingredient is historically eaten as a dessert and is commonly utilized in crumbles, pies, fools and jams. However gardeners eager to tuck into some homegrown rhubarb this spring needs to be cautious earlier than consuming it, as solely a part of the plant needs to be consumed.
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Rhubarb leaves comprise excessive ranges of oxalic acid (Picture: Getty)
Whereas the lengthy, reddish stalks of a rhubarb plant are completely suitable for eating and may be eaten uncooked, gardeners are warned to keep away from consuming the leaves of the plant as these are toxic and may trigger some nasty signs if consumed.
Rhubarb leaves comprise excessive ranges of oxalic acid, a naturally occurring compound which is poisonous to each people and animals, so it’s essential to take away and discard these earlier than cooking or consuming the stalks.
This acid may be discovered in lots of vegetation, however rhubarb leaves have a very excessive focus, which makes them poisonous. If these leaves are eaten it could actually trigger vomiting, diarrhoea and kidney issues in some extreme instances.
In its on-line steering about consuming rhubarb, Healthline warns: “Rhubarb leaves are thought-about inedible on account of their excessive focus of oxalic acid. The truth is, each the stalks and leaves comprise oxalic acid, however the leaves have a a lot larger 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 referred to as hyperoxaluria, which is when extra oxalate is excreted within the urine. This may additionally result in an accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals within the organs. Within the kidneys, this could result in the formation of kidney stones and finally kidney failure.
“Signs of gentle rhubarb leaf poisoning embrace vomiting and diarrhoea that resolve inside a number of hours. Extra critical oxalate toxicity causes sore throat, issue swallowing, nausea, vomiting (generally together with blood), diarrhoea, and belly ache. Very critical signs embrace kidney failure, numbness, muscle twitches, and cramps.”
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says rhubarb stems stay edible by the summer time, nevertheless it’s finest to cease harvesting them in late June or early July, and to solely take a number of stalks to keep away from weakening the plant.
The RHS mentioned: “To reap, select a younger stalk about 30cm (1ft) lengthy, with a leaf that has solely simply totally 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 reduce it, as you’ll depart a stump that’s vulnerable to rotting.
“Then take away the leaf, which isn’t edible, and add it to your compost bin. Solely ever take a few third of the plant’s stems, so there are many leaves left to maintain it in lively development.”
Whereas rhubarb leaves ought to by no means be consumed, they don’t must go utterly to waste as it’s secure to make use of them for composting in your backyard.
In its on-line recommendation on composting rhubarb, Gardening Know How mentioned: “Composting rhubarb leaves is completely secure. Though the leaves comprise important oxalic acid, the acid is damaged down and diluted pretty rapidly through the decomposition course of.
“The truth is, even when your whole 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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