Topic: making rhubarb sweeter

[deboydoyd]

I'm under no illusions that rhubarb isn't naturally tart, but some of our crop is positively acidic and cringe worthy even with tons of sugar added. Do any of you feed or add anything when it's coming up to get a more palatable taste

[asbean]

Apparently forced rhubarb is sweeter.

[dtw]

Don't pick it until it has gone completely red.

[cambourne7]

boiling it with an apple apparantly will fix that :-)

[Trevor_D]

My sous-chef swears by sweet cicily. We've never added it to rhubarb, but have used it with other fruit and with tomatoes. If you add a few sprigs when you cook it (remove before eating) it sweetens it. I don't understand the chemistry behind it, because it actually smells of liquorice!

[caroline7758]

Where do you get sweet cicely?

[Bill Door]

Try cooking with honey instead of sugar.  Don't be too particular in the honey you use either.

Otherwise use Demerara sugar instead of white granulated sugar.  If you can try the really dark brown sugar mixed with white sugar.

Bill

[Trevor_D]

Where do you get sweet cicely?

Grow it. It's a perennial herb. (Quite likes it under the dappled shade of our apple tree.) Look in one of the better-stocked garden centres, or grow it from seed. I can't remember where ours came from - we've had it for years.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I use honey if I have it, otherwise sugar.

[cleo]

Where do you get sweet cicely?

Dig some up from here when you visit.

[manicscousers]

Where do you get sweet cicely?

Dig some up from here when you visit.

wish we were nearer, we can't seem to get this..or grow it!!  :o   :)
as ray's diabetic, I'm curious to see if it works

[caroline7758]

Thanks, Cleo! Will take you up on that!

[jennym]

On the subject of Sweet Cicely, bought some seeds, but reading the instructions it seems that the time to sow is Autumn, because they need a long cold period before they germinate in spring. So, no point sowing them now - will have to make a note on the calendar!

[Svea]

i add some lemon juice to the rhubarb. it seems to temper the acidity - really! just a spritz  should do it.
it is a bit like adding a pinch of salt to sweet foods....

[asbean]

We add strawberries  :P :P