What is the best type of lettuce?
This Is the Best Lettuce to Buy at the Grocery Store
- Whole heads are cheaper. ...
- Bagged and boxed lettuces aren't necessarily cleaner. ...
- Whole heads are the "greener" choice. ...
- They may even be healthier. ...
- The farmers' market exception. ...
- And if you're going to buy lettuce in plastic... ...
What is the best type of lettuce to grow?
The 6 Main Lettuce Types to Grow in Your Garden
- Butterhead. This is a soft, tasty lettuce with a buttery texture. ...
- Crisphead. This type is known for tight, dense heads so they resemble cabbage. ...
- Loose Leaf. These varieties of lettuce are typically grown as leaves and not tightly formed heads. ...
- Summer Crisp. Also known as “Batavian”. ...
What are the benefits of eating lettuce?
Uses of Romaine Lettuce
- It can be juiced to produce a nutrient-rich drink, and can also be added to soups and other hot dishes. [12]
- Unlike many forms of lettuce, Romaine is notably resistant to heat and doesn’t become overly soggy or limp. ...
- Romaine lettuce is also used in taco salad, Cobb salad, and avocado salad wraps.
When to plant iceberg lettuce?
Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Planting the Seeds Download Article
- Plant the iceberg lettuce six to eight weeks before the last expected spring frost. ...
- Plant iceberg lettuce seeds in a shallow seed tray. Fill the bottom of each cell of the tray with some standard potting soil before you sprinkle a few seeds ...
- Place the seed tray indoors in a sunny area. ...
- Keep the soil the seeds are planted in moist soil. ...
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Where is iceberg lettuce native to?
What is Iceberg Lettuce? Iceberg lettuce gained widespread popularity in the 1920's, when it was grown in the Salinas Valley of California and then shipped around the U.S. by train on ice, which is what earned it its name.
When did iceberg lettuce originate?
1894Iceberg lettuce was developed in 1894 by the Burpee Seed Co. It's just one variety of crisphead lettuce but arguably the most iconic. Its name comes from the way lettuce was originally packed and transported -- on crushed ice, making the heads look like icebergs, notes Tanimura & Antle, a Salinas, Calif.
Why do they call it iceberg lettuce?
Introduced for commercial production in the late 1940s, Iceberg (or crisphead) lettuce was the only variety bred to survive cross-country travel (the name Iceberg comes from the piles of ice they would pack the light green lettuce heads in before the advent of the refrigerated train car).
What country did lettuce originate from?
Ancient EgyptLettuce originated in the Mediterranean area and was first grown as a weed. The first documentation of cultivation begins in Ancient Egypt over 6,000 years ago, but it may have been cultivated in the Middle East prior to this. Ancient Egyptian artwork, especially tomb paintings, depicts different varieties of lettuce.
Does iceberg lettuce grow naturally?
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds....LettuceAn iceberg lettuce field in CaliforniaScientific classificationKingdom:PlantaeClade:Tracheophytes12 more rows
Is iceberg lettuce just water?
First off, iceberg lettuce is composed of 96% water—similar to celery and cucumbers.
What is the healthiest lettuce to eat?
Some of the most nutritious greens include spinach, kale, romaine, watercress, and arugula (see "Salad greens by the numbers").
Is iceberg lettuce genetically modified?
The iceberg lettuce and the Non-GMO iceberg lettuce are the exact same thing, because there is no GMO lettuce available on the market in the USA. This sign leads you to believe you are making a choice about whether you agree with consuming GMOs or not.
Why is iceberg lettuce so popular?
A crispy texture and neutral taste has made iceberg lettuce a popular addition to salad mixes, as it counterbalances the bitterness of many other types of lettuces. The main varieties of iceberg lettuce grown in the U.S. are Crispino, Great Lakes, Keeper, Ithaca, Maverick, and Raider.
What country makes the most lettuce?
ChinaThe country with larger production of lettuces is China, followed by the United States. The countries that follow, with less production, are Spain, Italy and India. Among the export countries, Spain is the one with greater amount of sells, followed by the United States and Italy.
Did the Egyptians eat salad?
An Ancient Green Min consumed lettuce as a sacred food for sexual stamina, and ordinary Egyptians used the oil of the wild seeds for medicine, cooking, and mummification. Over time, the Egyptians bred their wild-type lettuce to have leaves that were less bitter and more palatable.
Is lettuce native to North America?
Lactuca canadensis is a species of wild lettuce known by the common names Canada lettuce, Canada wild lettuce, tall lettuce, and Florida blue lettuce. Its true native range is not clear, but it is considered to be a native of the eastern and central parts of North America.
Is head lettuce safer than bagged?
Even though the data show that whole heads of lettuce not labeled “washed” don't necessarily have lower bacteria levels than packaged greens, their inner leaves aren't exposed to as many sources of contamination and are not handled as much as greens that are bagged, which further reduces the opportunities for ...
Is iceberg lettuce hybrid?
This lettuce is actually a hybrid; a cross between Green Leaf and Iceberg with the nutritional value of the Green Leaf, combined with the “crunch” factor from the Iceberg.
What is going on with iceberg lettuce?
Farms growing red cabbage and iceberg lettuce for Fresh Express are suspects in Cyclospora outbreak. A traceback investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified several farms in the U.S. that may have provided products used in the Fresh Express salads that were recalled over Cyclospora.
Who invented the iceberg wedge salad?
Wedge salads have been found to date back to 1916 in a book called "Salads, Sandwiches & Chafing dish Recipes" by Marion Harris Neil. But their popularity surged in the late 50's and early 60's.
Where is iceberg lettuce grown?
Iceberg lettuce is grown year-round in California and Arizona and is shipped throughout the United States and Canada where it makes its way, in various forms, to grocery stores, restaurants, and food service establishments. Growing lettuce can be a labor-intensive process because of the delicacy of handling the product. However, the overall cost of production varies in terms of labor costs, soil, weather, water costs, and other inputs. For producers, benefits outweigh the production cost because high demand for this lettuce in the U.S. fuels profits. The consumption of all lettuce types has grown since the 1960’s, reaching a high of 34.5 pounds per capita as of 2004, which has since decreased to the 2015 annual consumption of 25.6 pounds per capita. In 2018, lettuce ranked number six in California commodity values, generating sales of 1.8 billion dollars, and it was the number 15 commodity with $297 million in sales, down 6.3% from the previous year.
Why is lettuce called an iceberg?
It was developed to withstand the long journeys along the Trans-Atlantic Railroad and was a symbol of the expanding U.S. industrial agriculture system during the mid-20 th century.
What is iceberg lettuce?
Introduction. Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, is one of the six types of lettuce crops, which includes Roma ine, loose-leaf, and butterhead, and it is one of the only types not available in a red varietal. These L. sativa cultivars are all within Lactuca genus, which includes most other varieties of lettuce.
How long does iceberg lettuce last?
Whole head iceberg is now shipped globally and has a shelf life of three to four weeks (cut lettuce has a shorter shelf life). Although iceberg can be traced to the early 20 th century in the Americas, lettuce was found growing as a weed over 4,500 years ago in the Mediterranean region.
What are the pathogens that cause lettuce outbreaks?
The major pathogens that have caused outbreaks associated with lettuce have been Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. Production of iceberg lettuce in the United States occurs largely in California and Arizona where the mild climate contributes to high crop yields.
Why does the production cost of lettuce outweigh the benefits?
For producers, benefits outweigh the production cost because high demand for this lettuce in the U.S. fuels profits . The consumption of all lettuce types has grown since the 1960’s, reaching a high of 34.5 pounds per capita as of 2004, which has since decreased to the 2015 annual consumption of 25.6 pounds per capita.
Why do lettuce farms use sprinklers?
A large majority of the iceberg lettuce farms operating in the southern desert regions of the United States use overhead sprinklers to ensure adequate water to generate rapid growth from the seedlings. Once seedlings are established, plants are irrigated by furrows for the remainder of the growing season.
What is the type of lettuce that grows?
Types of Lettuce. Although much different in appearance than other lettuces, the cannonball-like wad of leaves commonly known as iceberg lettuce is just one form in which lettuce can grow.
What is lettuce in grocery stores?
Lettuce is one of the most instantly recognizable foods found in the grocery store's produce section. The leafy green heads of iceberg lettuce are the most popular kind of lettuce, consumed almost universally by Americans. First time gardeners are often surprised to discover that iceberg lettuce is nothing more than the leaves of the lettuce plant.
What is the best lettuce to grow in the fall?
Crisphead lettuce can be tricky to grow from seed in many gardens, but perform beautifully where summer temperatures don't regularly exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These lettuces tolerate low temperatures well, making them excellent choices for a fall garden. They are hardy and adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, provided a medium level of fertility is maintained and the soil is kept reasonably moist. Organic mulches can help prevent moisture fluctuations in lettuce patches. Crisphead lettuces to try in your garden include "Great Lakes," "Vanguard," "Calmar" and "Empire." If you're not ready for the challenge of a crisphead lettuce, some leaf lettuces that are easier to grow include "Salad Bowl," "Oak Leaf," "Green Ice," "Red Sails" and "Ruby."
What happens when lettuce bolts?
When a lettuce bolts, the stem within the head elongates and branches, producing a flowering stem 2 to 4 feet high. The cluster of yellow flowering heads are self-fertile, forming seeds with a structure designed to help them carry on the wind. These flowers of the lettuce plant are much less common to see than the leaves that are readily available.
What leaf lettuces are easier to grow?
If you're not ready for the challenge of a crisphead lettuce, some leaf lettuces that are easier to grow include "Salad Bowl," "Oak Leaf," "Green Ice," "Red Sails" and "Ruby.". Kristi Waterworth started her writing career in 1995 as a journalist for a local newspaper.
How long does it take for lettuce to grow?
Producing a head of crisphead lettuce leaves can take up to 120 days, depending on local weather conditions.
Is lettuce a plant?
Lettuce Plants. Lettuce is in the same family as asters and sunflowers, Compositae. This Old World plant is composed of a fibrous root system below a crown that produces a thick flush of leaves. In crisphead lettuce, these leaves first open out, producing a rosette, then begin to turn inward, covering the growing point in the center and forming ...
When was iceberg lettuce invented?
Iceberg lettuce was developed in 1894 by the Burpee Seed Co. It's just one variety of crisphead lettuce but arguably the most iconic. Its name comes from the way lettuce was originally packed and transported -- on crushed ice, making the heads look like icebergs, notes Tanimura & Antle, a Salinas, Calif.-based produce company that started growing and selling iceberg lettuce in the 1920s.
How long can iceberg lettuce be stored?
Store iceberg unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, where it should keep up to a week. And keep any lettuce away from apples, bananas and pears: The ethylene gas they emit can turn the lettuce leaves brown, Green notes.
Which lettuce leaves have the last leaf?
Still, iceberg has the last leaf -- er, laugh: It accounts for 70 percent of the lettuce grown in California (the nation's lettuce leader), according to Tanimura & Antle.
Can you eat iceberg leaves?
Iceberg usually is eaten fresh, not cooked. It's an important part of many all-American sandwiches, such as cheeseburgers and, of course, the BLT. The wedge with a coating of blue cheese dressing and bacon bits is a popular staple too. For something different, try using iceberg leaves as a wrap for sauteed ground meats, Asian chicken strips or grilled vegetables.
Is Romaine lettuce good for you?
Darker, leafier and more nutritious lettuces such as Romaine have become more desirable, especially for foodies and the nutrition-minded. Iceberg "offers only one-ninth as much vitamin A as Romaine, one-third as much calcium as Romaine and one-fourth as much iron as butterhead," writes Waverly Root in "Food."
Who invented the lettuce shipping system?
Bruce Church founder of Fresh Express, was responsible for popularizing the idea of shipping lettuce across the US continent from Salinas, California to the spots on the East coast. Using ice they carefully covered the heads of lettuce and shipped them
Is iceberg lettuce still popular?
Short of heating up a TV dinner, there are few more blatantly retro gestures than ordering a wedge of iceberg lettuce covered in a thick, creamy salad dressing. The lettuce itself remains popular in the United States. It still accounts for 70 percent of the lettuce raised in California, but that share is declining (in the mid-1970's it was as high as 80 percent), and anyone dining at fancier restaurants around the United States might wonder if it hadn't disappeared entirely, displaced by frisee, dandelion greens, oak leaf, lollo rosso, exotic cresses, microgreens, sprouts -- anything, in short, that's green, has a leaf, and is not iceberg. But iceberg somehow manages to hang on. Steakhouses refuse to give it up. And in some very unlikely places, it has earned a strange kind of cachet..."It's one of those things that's synonymous with growing up in America," Mr. Otsuka said. "Everybody has a comfort level with it. Served cold, it's very nice on the palate, with a good crunch." Marc Meyer, at Five Points, anoints a wedge of the stuff with a modernized, Europeanized blue cheese dressing made with picon cheese from Spain, toasted almond slices and radishes...Despite its shortcomings, iceberg has always had its fans.
Where did lettuce originate?
Common lettuce, Lactuca sativa, has its origins in the Middle East. Egyptian wall murals of Min, the god of fertility, depict lettuce in cultivation in about 2700 B.C. The erect plant — similar to modern romaine, with a thick stem and milky sap — had sexual connotations.
What is the history of lettuce?
The History of Lettuce. The gardens at Monticello still grow some of the cultivars mentioned in Thomas Jefferson’s notebooks. ‘Brown Dutch’ lettuce, a cultivar from Holland, was another of Jefferson’s favorites. Oakleaf lettuces add interest to the garden and table .
What did the Romans do with lettuce?
Lettuce regained its association with sexual potency during its time with the Romans, who, like the Egyptians, believed it could increase stamina. They took advantage of its medicinal qualities, serving a salad before meals to stimulate digestion, and again after dinner as a sleep aid. Like their lettuce-growing precursors, Romans further developed lettuce for better-tasting leaves, and in about 77 A.D., Pliny the Elder recorded numerous cultivars in his Natural History. “The black lettuce is sown in the month of January, the white in March, and the red in April; and they are fit for transplanting … at the end of a couple of months,” he writes, adding “the purple, the crisped, the Cappadocian, and the Greek lettuce” to the list. Pliny also identifies an “inferior” lettuce with notably bitter leaves, now suspected to be chicory ( Cichorium intybus ). Fresh, young lettuce leaves were served in salads, and large, tough leaves were cooked and served with vinegar and oil.
What was the first lettuce to replace New York?
In 1941, ‘Great Lakes,’ a true iceberg lettuce, replaced ‘New York’ as America’s leading lettuce. It was bolt-resistant, productive in extreme weather conditions, and denser than crispheads before it. In 1944, ‘Great Lakes’ was the All-America Selections winner, and this iceberg is what Americans ate for decades in salads, sandwiches, and slaws.
How to keep lettuce plants cool?
Lettuce has shallow roots, so it needs daily watering. Mulch with straw to conserve water and smother competing weeds. Use shade cloth to keep lettuce cool in midsummer, and use low tunnels for protection through winter.
Where did lettuce grow?
The alternate name, “cos,” was used for the stem lettuce grown on the Greek island of Kos, a major lettuce-producing region.
When did the ISS experiment with lettuce?
In 2016, the ISS astronauts experimented with cut-and-come-again lettuce for an extended harvest period, continuing to test possibilities for growing food on space vehicles, and to improve the garden modules for better harvests.
Where did lettuce originate?
Common lettuce, Lactuca sativa, has its origins in the Middle East. Egyptian wall murals of Min, the god of fertility, depict lettuce in cultivation in about 2700 B.C. The erect plant — similar to modern romaine, with a thick stem and milky sap — had sexual connotations.
Where was lettuce grown in the 1400s?
In the 1400s, loose-heading lettuces, such as butterhead and crisphead, were being developed in Europe. Lettuce cultivation was still limited to Europe, Asia, and Africa at the beginning of the century.
What did the Romans do with lettuce?
Lettuce regained its association with sexual potency during its time with the Romans, who, like the Egyptians, believed it could increase stamina. They took advantage of its medicinal qualities, serving a salad before meals to stimulate digestion, and again after dinner as a sleep aid. Like their lettuce-growing precursors, Romans further developed lettuce for better-tasting leaves, and in about 77 A.D., Pliny the Elder recorded numerous cultivars in his Natural History. “The black lettuce is sown in the month of January, the white in March, and the red in April; and they are fit for transplanting … at the end of a couple of months,” he writes, adding “the purple, the crisped, the Cappadocian, and the Greek lettuce” to the list. Pliny also identifies an “inferior” lettuce with notably bitter leaves, now suspected to be chicory ( Cichorium intybus ). Fresh, young lettuce leaves were served in salads, and large, tough leaves were cooked and served with vinegar and oil.
What kind of lettuce did the astronauts eat on the ISS?
Futuristic Lettuce. In 2015, the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) grew and ate ‘Outredgeous’ red romaine lettuce, developed by Frank Morton of Wildgarden Seed in Oregon. The space station garden was a chamber called Veggie, and it contained crop-appropriate lighting and rooting pillows instead of soil.
What was the first lettuce to replace New York?
In 1941, ‘Great Lakes,’ a true iceberg lettuce, replaced ‘New York’ as America’s leading lettuce. It was bolt-resistant, productive in extreme weather conditions, and denser than crispheads before it. In 1944, ‘Great Lakes’ was the All-America Selections winner, and this iceberg is what Americans ate for decades in salads, sandwiches, and slaws.
Where is Romaine lettuce grown?
The alternate name, “cos,” was used for the stem lettuce grown on the Greek island of Kos, a major lettuce-producing region. The names have been interchangeable down through the centuries, but “romaine” is used more often today.
Why did the Egyptians eat lettuce?
Over time, the Egyptians bred their wild-type lettuce to have leaves that were less bitter and more palatable.
Key Facts
- Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, has long been a popular type of lettuce sold in the United States. It is characterized by a tight head of crisp, light green leaves.
- A crispy texture and neutral taste has made iceberg lettuce a popular addition to salad mixes, as it counterbalances the bitterness of many other types of lettuces.
- The main varieties of iceberg lettuce grown in the U.S. are Crispino, Great Lakes, Keeper, Ith…
- Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, has long been a popular type of lettuce sold in the United States. It is characterized by a tight head of crisp, light green leaves.
- A crispy texture and neutral taste has made iceberg lettuce a popular addition to salad mixes, as it counterbalances the bitterness of many other types of lettuces.
- The main varieties of iceberg lettuce grown in the U.S. are Crispino, Great Lakes, Keeper, Ithaca, Maverick, and Raider.
- As a raw agricultural product with high moisture content and surface area, lettuce is susceptible to contamination. These growth characteristics are part of the reason that the Centers for Disease...
Introduction
- Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, is one of the six types of lettuce crops, which includes Romaine, loose-leaf, and butterhead, and it is one of the only types not available in a red varietal. These L. sativa cultivars are all within Lactucagenus, which includes most other varieties of lettuce. Because it is made up of about 95% water, crisphead lettuce nutritional content ranks th…
Foodborne Outbreaks and Recalls
- Lettuce has been associated with a number of outbreaks and is linked to Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella. In some cases, outbreaks have been traced to lettuce, but a specific type was not identified. Between 2000 and 2020, at least 31 iceberg lettuce-associated outbreaks were reported to CDC’s National Outbreak Reporting System (NO…
Production
- Iceberg lettuce is one of the most popular types of lettuce produced in the United States, and its superior shipping quality has enabled it to be a top seller for producers. The average U.S. price for head lettuce in the 2016 season was $27.70 per hundred weight and the estimated gross value per acre was $10,400 with production costs varying upon location. In recent years, other varietie…
Food Safety
- Due to its susceptibility to pathogens during all phases of production, iceberg lettuce, like most lettuce varieties, raises many food safety concerns. Lettuce is commonly associated with foodborne illness because there is minimal processing of the raw, leafy greens. Contamination can occur in the field (due to the plant’s proximity to the ground), during harvesting, or during tra…
Consumption
- As previously mentioned, iceberg or crisphead lettuce has historically been one of the most popular lettuce types consumed in the United States. Iceberg lettuce is not the most nutritious variety; however, it is well-liked because of its crunchy, crisp texture, and mild flavor. One fourth of iceberg lettuce produced can be found in prepackaged salad mixes. About 98% of the lettuce co…
Nutrition
- Leafy vegetables are sources of various bioactive compounds because, in addition to being principal photosynthetic sites, leaves are accrual areas for various phytochemicals with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other defensive properties. In general, iceberg lettuce lacks the kind of nutritional value often found in other types of leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, an…
References
- Akbas, M.y. Ö H. Inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on iceberg lettuce by dip wash treatments with organic acids. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 2007 Jun 1;44(6):619–24.
- Boriss, Hayley B Henrich. Commodity profile: Lettuce. University of California [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2017 Aug 30]; Available from: https://col.st/2wfSa
- Akbas, M.y. Ö H. Inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on iceberg lettuce by dip wash treatments with organic acids. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 2007 Jun 1;44(6):619–24.
- Boriss, Hayley B Henrich. Commodity profile: Lettuce. University of California [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2017 Aug 30]; Available from: https://col.st/2wfSa
- Davidson, Gordon R. B Annemarie L, Ryser, Elliot T. Efficacy of Commercial Produce Sanitizers against Nontoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 during Processing of Iceberg Lettuce in a Pilot-Scale Lea...
- Gorny, James R. G Hank, Gombas, David M Kathy. Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chains| Food and Drug Administration [I…