Hello!

I tried some raw rhubarb the other day and it was like strong lemon flavoured celery! It was a bit on the tough side though! I know you cannot eat the leaves as these are poisonous! People ate them during the war years and it killed them. Is it safe to eat it raw?


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  • I never thought to eat rhubarb raw. What is it like?


  • Yep it’s perfectly fine to eat it raw, just like you can eat celery raw. I just wash it a remove the tough fiber in the same way i remove these by celery.


  • I’m not sure, but I found the answers really interesting.


  • rhubarb is acidic so I would be a bit wary. I have known people to develop Gout from the side effects from it.


  • Raw stems are fine … but the leaves are toxic


  • Definitely will stay away from the leaves! lol !!! I love the raw rhubarb better than celery now. Hubby thinks I am going loopy! lol!!~!


  • Yes, just wash it well like you would any fruit or veggies you want to eat raw. And stay away from the leaves.


  • Since I have posted this question I have become hooked on raw rhubarb! I absolutely love it!
    I never liked the taste of it stewed and mixed with stewed apples but gee on it’s own raw I am totally hooked! It is like lemon celery!


  • Thank you for asking this question. I adore rhubarb but haven’t eaten much of late as my grandmother used to cook it for us. I’ve been to scared to try cooking it in case I accidentally poisoned us all. I will surely try some of these tips as I miss that flavour.


  • Yeap you can eat it raw good for the teeth


  • Interesting topic and responses. I have never tried it raw but it can’t be poisonous or you wouldn’t be able to eat it anyway. Only the leaves are poison but I always cut off the top inch or so just to be sure.
    I use it raw for a rhubarb champagne but it is macerated with sugar and lemon first.
    I also love it stewed.


  • I think you have to have a strong set of chompers to eat this raw!lol!!. I must try it chopped up fine.


  • HERE IS SOMEONE ELSE THAT LOVES RAW RHUBARB. !!
    Summer and rhubarb go hand in hand. So do strawberries and rhubarb—in pie. But what else can you cook up with the vegetable?

    By Megan Gambino
    smithsonian.com
    July 12, 2011

    But whenever I see rhubarb in the grocery store, I am instantly reminded of another delicious memory—my first encounter with the rosy stalks. I think I was maybe 12 years old, with my mom at a farmer’s market, when she bought me a bundle. I chomped into a stick like it was celery, and my face puckered from its tartness. I liked the taste. Plus, there was something so Laura Ingalls about gnawing on the raw stalks.

    1. Raw: Before you do any cooking with rhubarb, you ought to at least try it raw. (Note: Be sure to remove all the leaves, as they are poisonous.) Many suggest dipping the stalk in sugar or some other sweet, such as honey, maple syrup or agave nectar, to mellow its tartness a touch. Sprinkling diced rhubarb over yogurt or cereal is an option too.:-)


  • I’m in my 50’s and also remember eating sticks of rhubarb dipped in sugar.My favourite way though is eating it stewed,alone or mixed with apple .In a crumble is really delicious or just with custard is also yummy.


  • I did not see MKR! I never watch it. If rhubarb is poisonous raw how can cooking it kill the poison. Wouldn’t it still be there to a degree? Interesting! Nadine Hill what do you think? It has not killed you or me. I might look into this a bit more.


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