Most of the rhubarb consumed in the UK today is grown in Yorkshire, particularly forced rhubarb. The area between Leeds, Bradford, and Wakefield—known as the Rhubarb Triangle—has held Protected Designation of Origin status since 2010.
Forced rhubarb is cultivated in dark sheds and harvested by candlelight, a method that enhances its tender texture and delicate flavor. The process was first discovered in Chelsea in 1817, when rhubarb roots were inadvertently covered with manure during winter, encouraging early growth. In 1877, the Whitcliffe family of Leeds began large-scale forced rhubarb production, constructing specialized sheds to grow rhubarb out of season.
Although rhubarb’s popularity declined during World War II due to sugar rationing, it remains an important industry in Yorkshire. Nostalgic recipes and contemporary culinary innovations continue to spotlight the Rhubarb Triangle, while Wakefield’s annual Rhubarb Festival celebrates this rich local tradition.
Image: Forced rhubarb growing in candlelit sheds. Credit: Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, shared via Wikimedia Commons.
