Rhubarb

lat. gen. Rheum, fam. Polygonaceae

Group: Grass and Green Components

Rhubarb is a perennial plant characterized by its long, fleshy, red stalks or sticks growing from thick rhizomes. It has large, wide green leaves, so nuances of rhubarb vary from green and pale pink to red and crimson. There have been certain discussions on whether to place rhubarb among the vegetable or fruit categories. Even though it has been considered vegetable for a long time, it is treated as a fruit in the USA.

This crimson plant was historically used for medicinal and culinary purposes and was later traded and imported from Turkey and Russia in the 14th century. However, it did not become edible before the 17th century. Namely, rhubarb leaves are poisonous and only the sticks are eaten. Earlier rhubarb varieties were even more poisonous, but they lost their characteristics by cross-breeding. When rhubarb was first discovered, it was used as drug and was three times more expensive than opium and many times more expensive than spices!

People started growing it more widely, particularly in the Rhubarb triangle in the UK, where 95% of world's rhubarb was produced. The UK is still one of the main rhubarb producers and the plant is grown in heated greenhouses (hothouses).

Rhubarb greenhouse

In other, warmer areas, rhubarb grows outdoors, but lacks the characteristic red color. Namely, the red or crimson color is achieved by growing rhubarb in candle-lit tents or sheds. This sort also has a sweeter, more tender stalk. Another peculiar and very unique characteristic of rhubarb is that you can actually hear it grow! If you listen carefully, you will be able to hear its stalks "cracking"—growing from the earth!

This plant is edible, appreciated in culinary arts and used particularly for sweets, whether it be for cooked sweets or eaten fresh. Its stalks full of water and natural sugar can be dipped into sugar and eaten raw. This kind of candy is still popular in some northern countries, but generally, rhubarb stalks are best when cooked as a dessert (pie or pudding).

When making a dessert, rhubarb should be mixed with various spices, such as nutmeg, cinnamon or saffron, which provides unique flavor. Rhubarb jam is especially popular and it can contain mixtures of rhubarb with ginger or with various fruits: strawberry, apricot, apple, raspberry in any combination. On top of sweets, rhubarb can be eaten in salads, tarts, sauces and mayonnaise, due to its sharp-sweet taste.

How popular rhubarb is can be testified from many web-pages dedicated to this unusual crimson plant. It has inspired a number of festivals around the world, most of them being organized in the US and UK. All of them are dedicated to celebrating rhubarb by gathering, tasting rhubarb-based dishes and music.

One of the most popular is Annual Rhubarb Festival in Lanesboro, Minnesota, where you can take part in a tasting contest and choose among rhubarb pie, cake, chili, ketchup, drinks etc. If you want to have more fun, The Rhubarb Olympics for kids and adults offers such games as Rhubarb Stalk Throw and Green Eggs and Rhubarb. And music is, of course, provided by The Rhubarb Sisters.

Before mentioning some fragrances with rhubarb, I would like to point out that the scent of rhubarb, just like its taste, is fresh, fruity and sweet, with a pleasant sour nuance and red berries note. The scent can therefore be applied in fragrances for men and women.

The first fragrance I think of when mentioning rhubarb is definitely Burberry Bit Red. Even its flacon is as red as rhubarb! It is very strong, breathtaking and even eccentric! Ideal for risk- takers, since this oriental floral perfume is based on rhubarb, its faithful companion ginger and red roses. These strong and screaming central notes depict a balance of fruit, spices and flowers, supported by benzoin and vanilla in a base.

One of the newest fragrances containing rhubarb is wonderful and sexy Ricci Ricci by Nina Ricci from 2009. This bursting zest in a purple flacon tells a completely different story, one that is candy-sweet. Even though it opens with fruity nuance of rhubarb, this sweetness mixes and softens with various flowers in the heart: jasmine, tuberose, rose, moonflower on a strong woody base. Glamorous and warm!

As mentioned in the paragraph about the culinary purposes of rhubarb, it provides a wonderful mixture when blended with spices. A whole bunch of spices can be found in Spiced Green Tea Elizabeth Arden: ginger, anise, cardamom. The main note remains refreshing green tea.

For an explosion of summer fruit, try Aqua Allegoria Tutti Kiwi Guerlain . Rhubarb awaits you in the opening notes and continues this fruity cocktail with much accentuated kiwi accompanied by mandarin and lemon. A floral-fruity delight!

A great refreshment for both men and women is the brand new CK One Summer 2011, which is ideal for summer beach parties. Rhubarb is combined with cooling sea water and summer fruits, such as citruses, apricot and melon.

As for fragrances for men, you might want to try these fragrances with accentuated rhubarb: Apparition Homme by Emanuel Ungaro (with tea and woody notes), 51.3. N Alfred Dunhill for men (very aromatic, spicy and pepperish) or Casual Men s. Oliver (herbal and sporty).