National Day

National Rhubarb Pie Day

Celebrated on 01/23/2026

Quick Fact

Rhubarb is technically a vegetable, but in 1947, a U.S. court legally declared it a fruit for tariff purposes, making rhubarb pie a 'fruit' pie. National Rhubarb Pie Day is celebrated annually on January 23, which is also National Pie Day, doubling the dessert festivities.

Origins and Establishment of National Rhubarb Pie Day

National Rhubarb Pie Day is observed on January 23 each year, coinciding with National Pie Day. The exact origins of this specific food holiday are unclear, but it is believed to have been created by pie enthusiasts and food bloggers in the early 2000s to celebrate the unique tart flavor of rhubarb. Rhubarb itself has a long history in North America, with early settlers using it for medicinal purposes before it became a popular pie ingredient in the 19th century.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Over time, National Rhubarb Pie Day has grown from a niche observance into a widely recognized celebration among bakers and food lovers. Today, it is marked by home bakers and professional pastry chefs alike, who share recipes and photos on social media using hashtags like #NationalRhubarbPieDay. Many bakeries and restaurants offer special rhubarb pie promotions, and some communities host pie-baking contests. The day also encourages experimentation with rhubarb in other desserts, such as crumbles, tarts, and jams.

Facts & General Observations

  • Rhubarb is one of the few vegetables that is typically sweetened with sugar to offset its natural tartness; a standard rhubarb pie recipe uses about 1 cup of sugar per pound of rhubarb.
  • The rhubarb plant is a perennial that thrives in cooler climates, with peak harvesting season from April to June in the Northern Hemisphere, though National Rhubarb Pie Day falls in January, highlighting the use of frozen or preserved rhubarb.
  • According to the USDA, the United States produces approximately 27 million pounds of rhubarb annually, with Washington, Oregon, and Michigan being the top-producing states.

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