All Things Rhubarb

We love rhubarb! It’s such a fantastic crop that can be grown in abundance from February to September here in the UK. 

Rhubarb is quintessentially British; even though it is not native, it is widely associated with English country gardens, freshly baked pies & inventive cordials. And paired with cream, it’s the perfect flavour combination for confectionary. If you remember rhubarb & cream sweets, then your tastebuds should already be watering!

So, what is rhubarb anyway? 

 

Rhubarb is rather unique in that it is a vegetable but deemed a fruit. However, you classify it, it is an edible plant that has been used for culinary purposes since the 1800s when sugar was consumed in the UK en-masse. In addition, historians suggest that the plant was used for medicinal purposes in China as far back as the 11th century.

Rhubarb eaten by itself is very tart, making it versatile, but it can be a little too sour without sugar. Therefore, it is perfect for pies and other desserts. Like a lot of fruits, rhubarb contains many antioxidants. It is packed with vitamin K, calcium, vitamin C and fibre. Most of us cook with it, and it’s rarely eaten raw. One note of warning, the leaves are not edible and contain oxalic acid, which can be poisonous, so only use the meaty stalks. 

Teamed with other fruits such as strawberries, coconut and ginger, rhubarb is a delicious, refreshing, and soothing edible plant, and we love it!

 

Our Rhubarb Cream Loose-Leaf Tea is a heavenly fruity, and fresh rhubarb blend tea rounded off with the delicate sweetness of real bourbon vanilla.

The creamy and sweet rhubarb tea infusion contains rhubarb and apple pieces, hibiscus, rosehip peel, pineapple, mango and papaya, with fragrant marigold blossoms.

Rhubarb Cream loose leaf teaHow to brew rhubarb cream loose leaf tea

 

 

Here are three inventive ‘Rhubarb Cream’ Tea Recipes for you to try.

We’ve created a delicious iced tea, ice lollies, and rhubarb tea crumble for you to try at home. 

 

Rhubarb Iced Tea

Serves 4

 

Ingredients 

• 400g chopped rhubarb

• 9 tbsp caster sugar

• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced

• 4 teaspoons of Ronnefeldt Rhubarb Cream loose-leaf tea 

 

Method

• Place the rhubarb, lemon juice and zest in a saucepan

• Add 3 pints of water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes

• When the rhubarb has poached, turn off the heat, add the tea bags and sugar and stir

• Leave to infuse for 8-10mins, then strain everything through a sieve into a jug

• Add the bicarbonate of soda and stir well

• Taste to check for sweetness, then chill and enjoy with ice

 

 

Rhubarb Cream Ice Lollies

Another great way to get inventive with this versatile fruit tea is to create iced lollies. Little kids and big kids love these. 

 

Ingredients

  • Three heaped teaspoons Rhubarb Cream loose-leaf tea
  • 200ml fresh boiled water
  • Honey or sugar to taste 
  • (Optional) Fruit such as apple or strawberries cut into little pieces

  

Method

  • Brew the Rhubarb Cream tea in the boiled water for 10-12 mins, add honey or sugar if you prefer it sweeter
  • After your tea is brewed, add 2 cups of ice to cool it down completely
  • Assemble your favourite iced lolly moulds
  • Pour the cooled tea in, add a few pieces of fruit and freeze

 

 

Rhubarb Tea Crumble 

Serves 6

Rhubarb Tea Crumble

 

Ingredients

Compote:

• 500g rhubarb, cut into 3 cm pieces

• 120g caster sugar

• 4 teaspoons of Ronnefeldt Rhubarb Cream loose-leaf tea

• 200ml water

• Zest 1 orange

 

 

Crumble:

• 75g plain flour

• 35g oats

• 50g golden caster sugar

• 50g cold butter

 

Method

• Make the compote, place the chopped rhubarb and sugar in a pan and cover. Simmer on a low heat for 10-15 mins until the rhubarb softens

• While the mixture is simmering, brew the tea in 200ml of boiling water for 8-10 mins

• Pour the tea into the rhubarb, add the zest and simmer whilst stirring the mixture for five or so mins

• Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C

• Make the crumble topping, rubbing the flour, oats, sugar and butter together until crumbly

• Pour the compote into a baking tray and scatter the crumble on top

• Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown

• Best served with custard or ice cream!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by cup of tea admin
28th July 2021

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