‘Tis the season for the sweet Yorkshire forced rhubarb and we have successfully stocked our store with this vibrant-looking vegetable. They are grown in complete darkness for rapid growth and to restore the glucose in the stalks. Even a tiny bit of light can break the forcing and begin its natural growing process. Hence, forced rhubarb farmers are renowned for picking them up using candlelight to not hinder the forcing. Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin K and fiber, forced rhubarbs are excellent sources of nutrients and aroma.
Where are forced rhubarbs grown in the UK?
Growing rhubarb in this fashion is an old tradition in England, where the climate is ideal for the plant for most parts of the year. The Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle is a square-mile area renowned for its forced rhubarb grown in long forcing sheds.
What are some of the famous forced rhubarb recipes?
Forced rhubarb is an excellent ingredient for cooking a variety of dishes. You can stew it and serve it with cold Greek yoghurt and sprinkle toasted nuts for breakfast. Baked rhubarb compôte, rhubarb and custard tart, rhubarb and stem ginger crème brûlée, rhubarb and vanilla clafoutis and poached rhubarb and custard are some the most well known desserts prepared using forced rhubarb. In Britain, classic peach Bellini, stewed rhubarb with sugar and topped with Prosecco makes a refreshing Rhubarb Rumba. Forced rhubarbs are an excellent source of flavour and colour for Rhubarb Gin.
Being able to get fruits and vegetables in their natural season comes with great quality and flavour. We are blessed with Robert Tomlinson’s (IG: rhubarbrobert) beautiful produce of forced rhubarb this season. We would like our patrons to try their hands on some delicious recipes with these forced rhubarbs. We, at the Found Hope Store, hope to see you in our Hither Green outlet soon.
