Harvesting rhubarb by candlelight

January 4, 2008

Of the BBC’s 100 unexpected facts that we didn’t know last year I’ve edited the list to include only the 13 food-related facts.

Apparently harvesting rhubarb by candlelight is a way to preserve even more rhubarb flavour. Because 2008 is a year for pumping up the volume, I have decided to make harvesting rhubarb by candlelight one of my 2008 New Years’ resolutions. I’m not getting any younger, and there is no time like the present to maximise the flavour potential of rhubarb. And in all seriousness, it is not unexpected that my food will taste better if I am connected to its harvest, by science or by ritual. Whatever works.

Here’s the list:
1. 3. Adding milk to tea negates the health-giving effects of a hot brew. More details

2. 5. Cloudy apple juice is healthier than clear, containing almost double the antioxidants which protect against heart disease and cancer. More details

3. 6. Dishcloths are purged of 99% of their bacteria during two minutes in a microwave. More details

4. 7. A haddock’s mating call starts as a slow knocking sound, before turning into a quicker hum similar to a small motorcycle revving its engine. More details

5. 10. Brazil nuts are seeds encased in an outer shell that weighs more than 1kg. More details

6. 17. Two cups of spearmint tea a day is thought to control excessive hair growth for women. More details



7. 26. Harvesting rhubarb in candlelight helps preserve its flavour. More details

8. 30. Serving anything more than tea and biscuits at a political meeting is an offence called “treating” and punishable by a year in prison or an unlimited fine, under the the Representation of the People Act 1893. More details

9. 37. Spiralling obesity rates are forcing councils to upgrade their crematoria, to take wider coffins. More details

10. 44. Europe has a vodka belt comprising Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark and Sweden, although the drink is also made in countries such as Britain, France, Italy and Spain. More details

11. 46. Peanuts can be made into diamonds. More details



12. 75. CO2 emissions from shipping are twice the level of aviation. More details



13. 90. Chickens can be diagnosed with depression. More details

debra at 12:05 | | post to del.icio.us

2 Comments »

1. We like your site and have added it to our blog roll. Our blog, My Green Element (www.mygreenelement.com) covers green business and marketing trends. I was hoping we could be added to your blog roll. Also, if you are interested in writing a guest post, please let me know.
   Peace,
   Stefan

   Comment by Stefan — January 5, 2008 @ 0:18

2. Surfing the internet for news on how to grow vegetables, to find out new ideas I was stunned (THE VERY POSITIVE WAY) by the things you show on your blog. You give me new ideas on how to work in my garden growing my veg. the biological (only natural sources added to the ground) way.
   Thanks for sharing your expertise with everybody in the world.

   Jeroen, from Holland

   Comment by Jeroen (Jeremy in UK) — January 5, 2008 @ 14:07