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Wakefield Museums and Castles
Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb!
Wakefield holds the world famous Rhubarb Festival every February.
But just why is Wakefield rooting for rhubarb? Allow us to explain...
Where does rhubarb come from?
Rhubarb root comes from Ancient China. It was originally powdered and used as a medicine.
The type of rhubarb we eat and bake with today was introduced into England in the 1800s.
What was rhubarb used for?
As well as baking and eating, rhubarb was used in medicine for thousands of years.
On display at Wakefield Museum we have this handwritten cure for cholera from the 1800s. It recommends a mixture including powdered rhubarb to help relieve the symptoms of cholera.
Cure for cholera from the 1800s - you can see this at Wakefield Museum
Why is Wakefield famous for rhubarb?
Wakefield specialises in 'forced rhubarb'. This is thanks to good soil mixed with lots of ashes, horse manure and textile waste. And of course, just the right amount of rain!
The forced rhubarb industry boomed from the 1880s. Low roofed forcing sheds built across the Rhubarb Triangle supplied the markets in London, and on to Europe. Special trains packed with rhubarb ran overnight between January and March. They were known as 'The Rhubarb Express'.
What is Forced Rhubarb?
Forced rhubarb is a technique used to grow rhubarb out of season. The rhubarb roots are taken into warm, dark sheds lit with candles. These conditions encourage the rhubarb stalks to grow very quickly.
In 2010, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb gained European protection. This gives it the same status and recognition as products like Parma Ham.
View inside a forced rhubarb shed at Whitehall Farm in the 1980s
What does Forced Rhubarb sound like?
Forced rhubarb growing sounds like this. It's a lot noisier than you'd think!
What is the Rhubarb Festival?
The Rhubarb Festival is Wakefield's celebration of the city's most famous vegetable. It is one of the first food and drink festivals in the national calendar. There are stalls selling local and regional rhubarb-based delights. There's also a range of comedy and music events, and a series of workshops.
Where does the phrase "rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb" come from?
Extras and background characters on film and stage sets often need to appear to be in conversation. A common industry trick is repeatedly saying "rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb". This created background noise that couldn't be understood over the main dialogue. It looks like natural conversation - try it!
Where can I find out more about rhubarb?
We celebrate rhubarb all year round with a dedicated display at Wakefield Museum. See objects from our city's rhubarb-growing past. Listen to the sound of forced rhubarb. Make the Rhubarb Express get to its deliveries on time!
