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• You add lettuce to sandwiches and sides every day, but staring down the options at the salad bar may have you wondering if one type of leaf beats out the rest.

• Botanically speaking, the plant Lactuca sativa includes few basic types, like leaf lettuce, romaine, iceberg, and butterhead, but you’ll want to mix other popular greens into your dishes for the biggest nutritional boost.

• Different types of lettuce have varying levels of specific nutrients.

• 50% of Americans don’t eat enough fiber, nor do we consume recommended amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, minerals that are found in leafy greens and lettuce and having the best benefits for both health and flavor.”

Now let us walk with different types of Lettuce….

1. LEAF LETTUCE

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• 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. Red leaf has a burgundy tint and mild flavor, similar to that of green leaf, while oak leaf is spicier and nuttier.

• To avoid instant wilting, postpone dressing leaf lettuce until just before serving.

2. ROMAINE LETTUCE

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With its long, slightly bitter leaves and sturdy, sweeter centers, romaine provides a robust crunch to any meal.

3. ICEBERG LETTUCE

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Iceberg is crisp and hearty, but it’s not as flavorful as other lettuces. When unwashed and stored in a plastic bag in the fridge, you can keep it for up to two weeks twice as long as most other types of lettuce.

4. BOSTON LETTUCE

There are two different types of butter-head lettuce: Boston and Bibb.

The Boston variety has small, round, and loosely formed heads with soft, supple leaves that bruise easily. It’s larger and fluffier than Bibb, but both types of lettuce make perfect cups for cooked ground chicken or shrimp.

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5. BIBB LETTUCE

Bibb, on the other hand, is sweet and extra small (a head is the size of a fist) It’s also quite expensive at least twice the price of iceberg.

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Most lettuce is used in salads, either alone or with other greens, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Romaine lettuce is often used for Caesar salads. Lettuce leaves can also be found in soups, sandwiches and wraps, while the stems are eaten both raw and cooked.

Written by:

DARSHAN U (MSc in Plant pathology)