what are the 5 types of lettuce

5 Interesting Types of Lettuce

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What are the healthiest types of lettuce?

What is the best lettuce for salad?

1. of 5 Arugula. These strong peppery greens can stand up to bold salad dressings—best drizzled on just before serving to avoid wilting.
2. of 5 Kale. A member of the cabbage family, kale has a slightly bitter flavor and hearty texture. …
3. of 5 Baby Spinach. …
4. of 5 Romaine. …
5. of 5 Bibb Lettuce.

Which type of lettuce tastes the best?

Types of Lettuce Crisphead. Crisphead, or iceberg, is probably the best-known lettuce in the U.S., in part because of its shrink-wrapped presence at nearly every grocery store in the country. Look for a round, compact, pale green head. Iceberg has a very mild taste and is generally eaten raw in salads and on sandwiches; it’s also found ...

What are the 5 types of lettuce?

What are the 5 types of lettuce?

• Crisphead or Iceberg. Crisphead lettuce, more commonly known as iceberg, has a tight head of crisp leaves.
• Summer Crisp, French Crisp or Batavian.
• Butterhead, Boston or Bibb.
• Romaine or Cos.
• Looseleaf, Leaf, Cutting or Bunching.

Is lettuce considered a fruit or vegetable?

Lettuces are the edible leafy part of the plant, so they’re generally considered a vegetable for that reason. Fruits, on the other hand, are the seed-bearing structures that grow from a flowering plant, whereas vegetables are all the other edible plant parts.

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What are the five types of lettuce?

There are five distinct types of lettuce: leaf (also called loose-leaf lettuce), Cos or romaine, crisphead, butterhead and stem (also called asparagus lettuce).

What are the main types of lettuce?

There are four main types of lettuce: crisphead (commonly known as iceberg), romaine, loose-leaf and butterhead. Although crisphead is the least nutritious, all lettuces provide dietary fiber and vitamins A, C and K.

What are the names of lettuce?

20 Types of Lettuce for Your Best Salad YetArugula. lacaosaGetty Images. ... Frisée. vonEisensteinGetty Images. ... Spinach. Wanwisa Hernandez / EyeEmGetty Images. ... Mesclun. pundapandaGetty Images. ... Kale. VICTORIA FIRMSTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYGetty Images. ... Radicchio. A_LeinGetty Images. ... Endive. Westend61Getty Images. ... Watercress.More items...•

What is the most common lettuce?

Although romaine and iceberg are the most common types, many varieties exist — each with their own unique flavors and nutritional properties.

Which is the best lettuce to eat?

Butter lettuce Also called Boston or bibb lettuce, butter lettuce is the most nutritious of the lettuces on this list. The leaves are higher in folate, iron, and potassium than iceberg or leaf lettuces.

Which lettuce is most healthy?

RomaineSo, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types) and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene and lutein.

Which lettuce is best for salad?

15 Great Greens to Add to Your Salad BowlRed-Leaf Lettuce. The red-tipped leaves of this loose-leaf lettuce are a variant of green-leaf lettuce. ... Romaine Lettuce. ... Butterhead Lettuce. ... Iceberg Lettuce. ... Green-Leaf Lettuce. ... Mâche. ... Arugula. ... Watercress.More items...•

Which lettuce is used in burgers?

iceberg lettuceIf you want to use the most classic lettuce on your burger, go with iceberg lettuce. This lettuce comes as a round “head” and is sometimes wrapped in plastic. This particular green lettuce has a high crunch factor, high moisture content, and a fairly mild flavor that can occasionally lean to the bitter side.

What is the sweetest lettuce?

Sweet romaine lettuce leaves are crisp and crunchy, sweeter and less bitter than regular romaine. Like our regular romaine leaves, the sweet variety grows in an elongated head of sturdy green outer leaves and light to pale green leaves in the center.

What type of lettuce do restaurants use?

Iceberg lettuce, also called crisphead lettuce is pale green and ball-shaped in appearance, while romaine is a darker green with elongated leaves. Iceberg is widely used in restaurants and grocery stores because of its long shelf life and low cost compared with romaine lettuce.

What lettuce can be eaten raw?

Remember, also, to wash them thoroughly, especially before eating them raw....Here are the characteristics of several popular types of lettuce:Arugula. ... Butterhead lettuce. ... Coral lettuce. ... Cress. ... Endive. ... Escarole. ... Frisée. ... Iceberg lettuce.More items...•

Which lettuce is not bitter?

Type and variety. In general, crisphead (or iceberg) and romaine varieties are less likely to become bitter than butterhead or red and green leaf lettuces. Within the types, varieties differ in their tendency to become bitter.

What are the three categories of lettuce?

There are three types of leaf lettuce: red, green, and oak. Don't look for a "head" on them because the leaves branch from a single stalk. For this reason, leaf lettuce is generally more perishable than head varieties. You'll often see it in "baby lettuce," mesclun, and spring mixes because of its tenderness.

Which lettuce is best for salad?

15 Great Greens to Add to Your Salad BowlRed-Leaf Lettuce. The red-tipped leaves of this loose-leaf lettuce are a variant of green-leaf lettuce. ... Romaine Lettuce. ... Butterhead Lettuce. ... Iceberg Lettuce. ... Green-Leaf Lettuce. ... Mâche. ... Arugula. ... Watercress.More items...•

Which lettuce is used in burgers?

iceberg lettuceIf you want to use the most classic lettuce on your burger, go with iceberg lettuce. This lettuce comes as a round “head” and is sometimes wrapped in plastic. This particular green lettuce has a high crunch factor, high moisture content, and a fairly mild flavor that can occasionally lean to the bitter side.

Which lettuce is not bitter?

Type and variety. In general, crisphead (or iceberg) and romaine varieties are less likely to become bitter than butterhead or red and green leaf lettuces. Within the types, varieties differ in their tendency to become bitter.

What are the different types of lettuce?

There are five general types or classifications of lettuce: Butterhead, Crisphead, Looseleaf, Romaine, and Celtuce. Butterhead and Crisphead types have crisp leaves that form compact hearts. Looseleaf and Romaine types grow best in cool weather and do not form significant hearts. Celtuce is a cross between celery and lettuce ...

What is the name of the lettuce that grows on the stem?

Celtuce–also known as stem lettuce–is grown for its succulent, thick stem and tender leaves.

Why is Romaine lettuce planted in the fall?

Romaine lettuce is usually planted for a fall crop because it does not produce heads during warm weather. In the late summer, Romaine leaves can be tied together to form elongated heads. The botanical name of Romaine lettuce is Lactuca sativa var. longifolia.

What is butterhead lettuce?

Butterhead Lettuce: Butterhead is a smooth, sweet-tasting lettuce with a delicate, buttery texture. Butterhead varieties—which are sometimes called cabbage lettuce–form a small, loose, slightly flattened head that look something like an open rose.

What does loose leaf lettuce look like?

Looseleaf lettuces form tight rosettes of individual leaves that are crisp and buttery-flavored. Looseleaf do not form hearts or heads.

How long is Romaine lettuce?

Romaine lettuce outer leaves are dark green and 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) long with a distinctive rib that reaches to the tip. The inner leaves are greenish-yellow surrounding a succulent heart.

When was iceberg lettuce invented?

The name iceberg was given to crisphead in the 1920s when California lettuce growers began shipping lettuce to far off markets in rail cars chilled with crushed ice. Crisphead lettuce has outer leaves that are dark green and inner leaves that are greenish white to white.

Crisphead lettuce

Iceberg lettuce instantly comes to mind here as it’s the most popular variety cultivated worldwide.

Butterhead lettuce

Bibb lettuce is a smaller cousin of the Boston in the Butterhead lettuce family.

Romaine or Cos lettuce

Parris Island Cos grows a more open loose leaf habit than those that form compact hearts.

Baby leaf lettuce (Cut-and-come-again method)

So, what varieties to grow as baby leaf lettuce? I recommend leaf lettuce and those known for their upright growth habit.

What is Romaine lettuce?

Romaine lettuce is hale and hearty and is the ubiquitous lettuce in a Caesar salad. Its crunchy texture can stand up to any dressing, from a light gingery vinaigrette to a full-blown thick and creamy blue cheese dressing. Due to its sturdy texture, it can even be grilled . Continue to 16 of 17 below. 16 of 17.

What is butter lettuce?

Butter lettuce has a tender texture and large, cupped leaves that work beautifully in salads, especially with delicately flavored dressings such as buttermilk dill salad dressing or in asparagus butter lettuce salad. Look for pale green and red-tinged varieties. Continue to 6 of 17 below. 06 of 17.

What is mesclun lettuce?

Mesclun means "mixed" in Proven cal and is traditionally composed of several varieties of wild-harvested, young greens. Most mesclun sold today is cultivated, meaning planted as beds of mixed lettuce seeds and harvested when the leaves reach the desired size of 3 to 6 inches.

What is the color of arugula?

Arugula (a.k.a. rocket) has dark green leaves and a peppery flavor. The leaves can be long and spiked or shorter and more rounded, but they all share that dark green color. Wild-harvested arugula is the most pungent; look for it at farmers markets and local foods co-ops.

What is the best dressing for Batavia lettuce?

There isn't a taste difference between the two, so choose whichever will look best on your table. Top with a bit of honey mustard vinaigrette or a simple balsamic dressing .

When is salad greens best?

In general, salad greens are cool weather crops, at their best in spring and early summer before high heats and long days make them bolt and turn bitter. Look for lettuce year-round in ultra-temperate climates, fall and spring in mainly temperate areas, and in the late spring through the summer months in cooler climates.

Is Batavia lettuce bitter?

As one of its other names would suggest, Batavia lettuce is more tolerant of warmer weather than many salad greens. It stays crisp and doesn't bolt (flower) and turn bitter as easily as other lettuces, so is a favorite with summer gardeners who want to keep fresh lettuce all season long.

What are the different types of lettuce?

The four common types of lettuce based on the shape, texture, and uses include Crisphead, Butterhead, Romaine, and Loose-Leaf Lett uce. In addition to these four main lettuce types, a fifth variety of lettuce, called asparagus lettuce or celtuce, is grown for its thick stems that are commonly used in Chinese cuisines.

How many types of lettuce are there?

18 Types of Lettuce. Apart from the popular lettuce types, like romaine and iceberg, there is a wide range of lettuce varieties available in different colors, textures, and flavors. You can add these vegetables to salads, burgers, wraps, soups, or sandwiches to not just improve their nutritional value but also make them interesting to look and eat.

What is the taste of endive lettuce?

Like Frisee, this endive lettuce variety has large green leaves, along with a crispy texture and mildly bitter taste.

What is mache lettuce?

Mache. Mache Lettuce. This lettuce variety has small, delicate leaves, and it imparts a slightly mild, sweet flavor to salads. Since grit and sand tend to collect in the tiny nubs of roots, mache needs to be cleaned carefully. Other names: Lambs’ lettuce, field lettuce, fetticus.

What is the name of the lettuce that is used in salad dressing?

Cress Lettuce. Available in bunches, watercress is mostly popular in the US. It has small green leaves, along with sturdy, fibrous stems, imparting a peppery taste to the food in which it is included. Other names: Watercress, curly cress, land cress, upland cress. Uses: For salad dressing with mustard vinaigrette.

What is loose leaf lettuce?

Loose-Leaf Lettuce. One of the most fast-growing lettuce varieties, the loose-leaf lettuce contain s large, moderately crispy, loosely-packed leaves that do not form compact heads. It has a mild, sweet flavor. Other names: Leaf lettuce.

How tall does a sage plant grow?

It is crispy-textured with a slightly bitter taste and is sold as ‘hearts’ or whole heads in North America. Its vase-shaped heads can grow to a height of 12 inches.

What is the most common lettuce?

You're probably familiar with iceberg , one of the most common varieties of lettuce. Refreshing and watery, fresh iceberg is often found in wedge salads. You'll also find it shredded and stuffed into tacos or sandwiches. Iceberg lettuce grows in medium-sized heads and its tightly packed leaves range in color from pale to medium green.

What is the best lettuce to use for salad?

Leaf lettuce comes in three varieties: red, green, and oak. They grow on a single stem instead of a head, which means it has a shorter shelf life than other types of lettuce (it's also more prone to wilting, so stick to light dressings). Its mild flavor and texture makes it perfect for salad green mixes.

What kind of lettuce is Boston lettuce?

One of the two common types of butterhead lettuce, Boston lettuce has large leaves that are soft and mild in flavor. The dense leaves are slightly cupped, which makes them perfect for lettuce wraps .

What kind of lettuce is good for grilling?

Thanks to a thick center rib, fresh romaine leaves deliver a satisfying crunch with every bite. This hearty lettuce variety can stand up to heat, so it's a great option for grilling. It's also associated with Caesar salads .

What is the difference between bibb lettuce and Boston lettuce?

Bibb, the other common butterhead variety, is slightly smaller and sweeter than Boston lettuce. It's larger than most types of lettuce, though, so it also makes a great base for lettuce wraps .

What is the worst lettuce to eat?

Iceberg lettuce is one of the most popular varieties of lettuce and is the one that most people think of first. In terms of nutrients though it is one of the worst that you can choose because it contains little more than water. If this is something that you usually have in your salad then you might want to change to one of the types of lettuce on this list. You can experiment with them in some different dishes and may end up finding some new favorite meals.

How long does lettuce stay fresh?

It also stays fresh in your fridge for more than two weeks after it has been purchased. The amount of nutrients will decrease the older the lettuce is but there is a good chance that you will definitely be able to eat all of it before it gets to the point where it needs to be thrown away.

Why is lettuce red?

Red leaf lettuce contains a lot of phytonutrients and it is these which help to give the leaves it’s red color. There are many health benefits that are associated with phytonutrients and eating lettuce with red leaves is a good way to get some of this type of nutrient.

Is lettuce good for you?

Green Leaf Lettuce. Lettuce with green leaves is a great source of Vitamin K . It is especially important to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin K if you have a very active lifestyle. It also helps to transport calcium throughout the body and so is important for the health of your bones.

Is red lettuce good for cancer?

There are several different types of phytonutrients and red lettuce contains a number of these. They act as an antioxidant and some studies have shown that they can be effective in preventing certain types of cancer.

Can you buy mixed greens?

Another thing that you may want to consider is buying prepackaged bags of mixed greens. These may contain several different types of lettuces that have been discussed above and are one of the cheapest ways to buy a number of different varieties to eat at the same time. They will also contain other green vegetables that are full of nutrients and are an important part of a balanced diet.

Is oak leaf lettuce good for you?

It is one of the only types of lettuce that contains multiple types of vitamins which means it is one of the healthiest choices you can make. Vitamin A can give your immune levels a real boost and there are some powerful antioxidants that can be found in Vitamin C. Oakleaf lettuce is also a good source of dietary fiber and so it can help to improve your digestive health.

How many leaves are in a cluster of lettuce?

These small, dark green leaves come in clusters of four or five. Mix it in with other lettuces for a versatile salad full of flavor.

What type of lettuce is best for wraps?

4 Boston Lettuce. The other type of butter lettuce is Boston lettuce. It has soft leaves that work especially well for creating lettuce cups and wraps. Keep in mind, however, that Boston lettuce bruises and wilts easily, so it’s best to eat when especially fresh.

What is the crunch of lettuce?

Also known as French crisp and summer crisp, this coarse lettuce has a unique crunch that makes it a fun salad mix-in. Given its seasonal name, the green- and red-tinted lettuce fairs especially well in warm weather and won’t wilt like many other lettuces might in this midst of hot, humid weather.

Can you use dandelion greens in tea?

They offer a strong flavor that pairs especially well with vinegary dressings. Plus, you can even use them to make tea.

Is kale a leafy green?

Exceedingly popular in the past few years, kale is a bitter leafy green that, while not technically a lett uce (it's actually in the cabbage family), is still worth mentioning. It’s a superb source of vitamins, given it’s rich in both vitamins A and C.

Can Romaine lettuce be used in salad?

These long, sturdy leaves are yet another option for wraps, and the traditional lettuce used for Caesar salad. When chopped up, they make for a hearty base that features satisfying crunch and a slightly bitter flavor. Just be sure to regularly check the status of romaine, as it frequently gets recalled for E. coli contamination.

Iceberg

You're probably familiar with iceberg, one of the most common varieties of lettuce. Refreshing and watery, fresh iceberg is often found in wedge salads. You'll also find it shredded and stuffed into tacos or sandwiches. Iceberg lettuce grows in medium-sized heads and its tightly packed leaves range in color from pale to medium green.

Romaine

Here's another common type of lettuce. Romaine leaves are large, sturdy, crisp, and can have a slightly bitter flavor. Thanks to a thick center rib, fresh romaine leaves deliver a satisfying crunch with every bite. This hearty lettuce variety can stand up to heat, so it's a great option for grilling. It's also associated with Caesar salads .

Arugula

Arugula, a leafy green that originated in the Meditteranean, is known for its tender texture and earthy flavor. A slight peppery kick means it pairs well with lemony dressings or as a basil stand-in in pesto sauces. While it's most commonly used as a salad green, it's also frequently found in sandwiches or on top of pizza.

Leaf Lettuce

Leaf lettuce comes in three varieties: red, green, and oak. They grow on a single stem instead of a head, which means it has a shorter shelf life than other types of lettuce (it's also more prone to wilting, so stick to light dressings). Its mild flavor and texture makes it perfect for salad green mixes.

Boston Lettuce

One of the two common types of butterhead lettuce, Boston lettuce has large leaves that are soft and mild in flavor. The dense leaves are slightly cupped, which makes them perfect for lettuce wraps .

Bibb Lettuce

Bibb, the other common butterhead variety, is slightly smaller and sweeter than Boston lettuce. It's larger than most types of lettuce, though, so it also makes a great base for lettuce wraps .

Mesclun

Mesclun isn't exactly a type of lettuce — it's a mix of salad greens that originated in Provençal France. It typically includes leafy lettuces, arugula, and other leafy greens and herbs (such as endive and chervil). Use mesclun to make salads, blend it into smoothies, stuff it into sandwiches, or as a bed for an entrée.

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• Butter lettuce is commonly available. It is a crisp-head lettuce, meaning its leaves form a compact head as it growsalthough its head is much less compact than iceberg lettuce. Butter lettuce has a tender texture and large, cupped leaves that work beautifully in salads, especially with delicately flavored dressings such as buttermilk dill salad dre...

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