What a season

[MikeT]

Just pulled my first rhubarb of the year. It was not forced just in the open ground. Thought I had better pull it before the frosts get it.

 

[enrico]

You should try women.......rhubarb isn't much company!
He he
E

 

[pargyle]

Just pulled my first rhubarb of the year. It was not forced just in the open ground. Thought I had better pull it before the frosts get it.

Incredible ... mine's barely showing above the ground as yet ... your's must be a very early variety encouraged by this mild winter ... fresh English rhubarb crumble in January ? There are posh restaurants in London who would pay premiums for those stalks ! The Yorkshire forced rhubarb trade was worth a fortune in days gone by ...

 

[Bob D.]

Actually these days I bet they pay peanuts, they just charge premiums.

Better to enjoy it yourself.

 

[pargyle]

Actually these days I bet they pay peanuts, they just charge premiums.

Better to enjoy it yourself.

Sadly, Bob, you are probably right .. in these days when just about any fruit or vegetable can be obtained any time of the year in any supermarket or wholesale market the reality is that we have lost the uniqueness (and value) of those special early few stalks after the dearth of winter.

They will, however, taste better than anything that can be bought at this time of the year in Tesco. I just love a rhubarb crumble ... be a few weeks yet for me though.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I aim every year to equal or beat my grandfather's target of rhubarb by Easter - as it's the same crown as he had (passed down the generations since at least 1840, probably older) I can only blame the weather or lack of skill if I don't have any - the only coaxing it may get is a bit of straw dumped on top!

 

[MikeT]

Sadly, Bob, you are probably right .. in these days when just about any fruit or vegetable can be obtained any time of the year in any supermarket or wholesale market the reality is that we have lost the uniqueness (and value) of those special early few stalks after the dearth of winter.

They will, however, taste better than anything that can be bought at this time of the year in Tesco. I just love a rhubarb crumble ... be a few weeks yet for me though.

The wholesale price of forced rhubard this week is around £3.76/kg. Tesco are selling it at £2.50/ 400gms (£6.25/kg). Normally the supermarkets have a mark up of around 60% so the grower will be getting only £2.50/kg.

Mike

 

[pargyle]

The wholesale price of forced rhubard this week is around £3.76/kg. Tesco are selling it at £2.50/ 400gms (£6.25/kg). Normally the supermarkets have a mark up of around 60% so the grower will be getting only £2.50/kg.

Mike

You can see why Yorkshire forced rhubarb is not as common a sight as it used to be around Wakefield, I remember the forcing sheds and the 'chimney pots' in the fields next to my Aunt's home - they are a housing estate now ... although I understand that Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb now has a PDO which has to be something for the few farmers still involved.

 

[MikeT]

I can remember visiting a rhubarb grower in the 1980s. I was fascinated by the sound the rhubarb makes when it is growing rapidly in the forcing sheds.
Also the same sound made when forcing chicory for chicon production.

Mike

 

[pargyle]

I can remember visiting a rhubarb grower in the 1980s. I was fascinated by the sound the rhubarb makes when it is growing rapidly in the forcing sheds.
Also the same sound made when forcing chicory for chicon production.

Mike

When I was very small my Grandfather used to take me down to where he grew his rhubarb, forcing it under old chimney pots with a slate on top, and I had to put my ear to the pot and 'listen for the fairies' and then make a wish ...

That popping sound is pretty magical .. can't begin to imagine what a whole shed full sounds like !