• Rhubarb Road

• The Rhubarb Road is a more recent manifestation of the ancient Silk Roads. It only came into prominence once Russia expanded eastwards through the Central Asian Khanates and could open up an overland trade route of its own with China without strong intermediaries charging heavy taxes.

  The route passes the traditional staging posts of the Silk Roads - Samarkand, Bokhara, and Khiva - but then heads north-west over the Caspian Sea (traditionally passing through Astrakan before turning north to Moscow.

  Rhubarb is thought to originate in Mongolia. Certainly it is now found growing in many parts of Central Asia, though it is not instantly recognisable as the same sour stem consumed in Europe. The local version is much sweeter and can even be eaten raw.

  Rhubarb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (and perhaps even traditional Central-Asian medicine) for a long time. It's benefits for the digestive tract having been long understood. It's arrival in Italy in the 15th century may be related to the Chinese visits believed by Gavin Menzies et al to have taken place in 1434.

  Constipated Europeans much approved of this powerful remedy and soon demanded great quantities to counter-balance their meat heavy diet. The Russians seeing an opportunity to earn much-needed revenue bought up the vast majority of the available stocks and then used their private route, the Rhubarb Road, to ensure that their monopoly could be established.

  It is possible to travel much of the original route by rail. Some sections must still be completed overland by other means - often rough roads. The complete route is a worthwhile challenge going through some exciting but remote areas. We have good contacts in Central Asia to assist with your plans if you are at all interested.

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• Current Comments

  2 comments so far (post your own)

  Elmer
  
  In Ancient Rome (suitably enough) it was thought that Silk grew on trees. The poet Vergil is said to have believed that the sheen could only have been created by combing fine hairs from very special leaves.

  Posted by China Journeys on Thu 26 Apr, 2012

  I admire your sense of humour - story reminds me of the BBC programme showing Italians harvesting spaghetti from trees.

  Posted by Elmer on Thu 26 Apr, 2012

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