Stalky

Variety:

something we take for granted so often.

(Just as a prerequisite: this will hearken back to some older posts I've written, and I don't want to belabor the point, but it does deserve some pointing out. (over, & over, & over, & over again, though it may come))

The whole concept sprang to mind again because of an article I found online describing the different types of rhubarb available for growing (turns out 29+; isn't it grand??) while on a mad search for a recipe for Rhubarb Oat Muffins. I've only ever partaken of standard rhubarb fare, so when I saw this:

I had to know more. Turns out it's a Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb. These are grown in a particular region of England for the type of soil found there, with no exposure to sunlight to preserve the delicate flavor, harvested by candlelight, and it even made its way onto the website "UK Protected Foods" (part of a network of websites that protect regional and traditional foods against imitation). Pretty impressive for one variety among 29.

I think it's just the fact that we can do so much to preserve one variety of rhubarb that gets me. It really is incredible, when you think about it. And for as much as a rant about people being petty, being wrapped up in themselves, not seeing or reacting to the problems in the world, not doing anything to help the hurt, there's a sense of gratitude that comes with finding out about something like this. If God cares enough to create 29 varieties of rhubarb, we can care enough to preserve 1 of them, even if it means harvesting it by candlelight and creating ridiculous websites to "guarantee its authenticity".

I'm off to find some recipes.