Lettuce Types and Information PDF

ICEBERG LETTUCE It has curved, overlapping leaves and known for its mild flavor and firm, crunchy texture. 1 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Head lettuce, Crisphead lettuce Uses: Shredded in salads, on sandwiches, and garnished in snacks ROMAINE LETTUCE It has long, dark green leaves that have...

ICEBERG LETTUCE It has curved, overlapping leaves and known for its mild flavor and firm, crunchy texture. 1 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Head lettuce, Crisphead lettuce Uses: Shredded in salads, on sandwiches, and garnished in snacks ROMAINE LETTUCE It has long, dark green leaves that have a slightly bitter flavor and a crunchy texture. 2 ROMAINE HEART LETTUCE The center leaves of Romaine lettuce. Smaller, more yellow, and sweeter, they have a delicious flavor and texture. 3 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Cos lettuce Uses: Its outer leaves are added to Caesar or Greek salads and sandwiches MESCULIN MIX LETTUCE Comprising baby lettuce leaves and other greens (often herbs) in a wide range of leaf shapes, colors, textures and tastes. 4 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: spring mix Uses: The best way to use mesclun is in a salad. It can also be used as a Side Dish, a smoothie or as garnish. BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE The butterhead lettuce has soft, buttery-textured leaves forming small, loosely-folded heads, while having a sweet, delicious flavor. 5 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Buttercrunch lettuce Uses: In salads and wraps BOSTON LETTUCE It is a type of butterhead lettuce containing soft, supple, and pale green leaves forming small, round, and loosely-bound heads. 6 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Round lettuce Uses: Because of its large, tender leaves, it makes excellent cups for ground shrimp or chicken LOOSE-LEAF LETTUCE Contains large, moderately crispy, loosely-packed leaves that do not form compact heads. It has a mild, sweet flavor. 7 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Leaf lettuce Uses: Mixed with other vegetables or cooked meat, shredded in tacos, added to sandwiches BATAVIA LETTUCE Consists of red-tinted or green leaves that are crunchy and nutty- flavored. 8 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Summer crisp, French crisp Uses: As a topping with balsamic vinegar or honey mustard vinaigrette FRISEE LETTUCE Comes with curly, frizzled green leaves tinged with yellow and has a slightly bitter flavor along with a crunchy texture. 9 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Curly chicory, curly endive, chicory endive Uses: As a base for French bistro salad, also included in pear salad with walnuts and blue cheese MACHE LETTUCE This lettuce variety has small, delicate leaves, and it imparts a slightly mild, sweet flavor to salads. 10 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Lambs’ lettuce, field lettuce, fetticus Uses: Mixes well with shallot vinaigrette BIBB LETTUCE Smaller than Boston lettuce, the Bibb’s head is equivalent to the size of your fist. It is twice more expensive than iceberg lettuce. 11 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Limestone lettuce Uses: Works well as a salad green and a wrapper CRESS LETTUCE It has small green leaves, along with sturdy, fibrous stems, imparting a peppery taste to the food in which it is included. 12 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Watercress, curly cress, land cress, upland cress Uses: For salad dressing with mustard vinaigrette MIZUNA LETTUCE characterized by spiky, green leaves, alongside a delicate texture and spicy, peppery flavor. It is sold loose or as a pre-made mix. 13 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Spider mustard, Japanese greens, California peppergrass, potherb mustard Uses: Sprinkled with sesame seed dressing or light vinaigrette or added to Japanese mocha soup OAK LEAF LETTUCE It has a loose-leaf arrangement and comes in different colors, including green, bronze, and red. 14 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Leaf lettuce Uses: Makes excellent salads, can be served with a variety of dressings LITTLE GEM LETTUCE Its soft leaves add a bit of crunchiness along with a delicate flavor to salads and dressings. 15 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Little Gem Uses: Sprinkled with lemony dressings and ginger vinaigrette BATAVIAN LETTUCE It has large green leaves, along with a crispy texture and mildly bitter taste. 16 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Escarole, broad- leaved endive Uses: Popular in Italian cuisine, often paired with beans and added to soups OTHER VEGGIES THAT LOOK LIKE LETTUCE TATSOI CABBAGE Characterized by small, rounded leaves and has a baby spinach- like texture. 17 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Spoon cabbage, rosette bok choy, spoon cabbage Uses: Cooked in stir-fried Chinese dishes BELGIAN ENDIVE Characterized by tight, compact leaves and a fresh crunchy texture with a slightly bitter taste, 18 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: French endive, Belgium chicory, witloof Uses: As small appetizers, with goat cheese, walnut, apple, and orange salads RADICCHIO CHICORY/ENDIVE Ithas either an oval or compact round shape. When roasted or grilled, its taste becomes sweeter and its color turns brown. 19 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Red chicory, Chioggia, red Italian chicory Uses: Typically added to salads, pasta, and risotto, the leaves are also stewed ARUGULA HERB It has a peppery flavor and contains dark green leaves that are either shorter and rounded or long and spiked. 20 OTHER NAMES & USES Other names: Rocket, rucola. Uses: In tangy dressings like lemon garlic vinaigrette, for adding bold flavors in blue cheese, or mixing with other lettuces for a stronger taste IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LETTUCE STORAGE TEMPERATURE Ideal Storage Temperature: Lettuce should be stored at 34-36°F (1-2°C). This is the optimal temperature range to maintain its crispness and freshness. Too high a temperature (above 40°F or 4°C) will accelerate wilting and spoilage. If it’s too cold (below 32°F or 0°C), it can freeze and deteriorate in quality. Transportation Temperature: When delivering lettuce, the same cool temperature range (34-36°F or 1-2°C) should be maintained. Refrigerated trucks or storage facilities are essential for maintaining lettuce quality during transit. SHELF LIFE/FRESHNESS DURATION In Storage: Fresh, properly stored lettuce typically lasts between 5-7 days in optimal conditions. However, this can vary depending on the type of lettuce and how fresh it was when it was harvested. Iceberg and Romaine Lettuce tend to last a bit longer (up to a week) in good conditions. Leaf Lettuce (Red and Green) may not last as long, typically about 3-5 days. Pre-packaged lettuce (in bags or clamshells) can last up to 7-10 days, depending on whether it has been washed and prepped. HOW TO ASSESS LETTUCE QUALITY Crispness: Fresh lettuce should feel crisp and firm when touched. If the leaves are limp or floppy, it may be past its prime. Color: Healthy lettuce has vibrant, green or reddish leaves, depending on the variety. Yellowing, browning, or dark spots are signs of aging or damage. Leaf Condition: Fresh lettuce should have smooth, clean leaves. Any wilting, browning edges, or signs of decay (like slimy spots or mold) are clear indicators that the lettuce is no longer fresh. Smell: Fresh lettuce should have a neutral, clean smell. A sour or unpleasant odor is a sign of spoilage, often due to bacterial contamination or improper storage. SEASONALITY AND PRICE FLUCTUATIONS When Prices are High: Lettuce prices typically rise during Summer and Fall. Transportation Costs can affect prices during off- seasons when lettuce has to be sourced from further away (e.g., from California to the Northeast or across international borders). If there’s any disruption (e.g., weather events, labor shortages, or disease outbreaks in major growing regions like California or Arizona), When Prices are Low: In Winter and Early Spring (typically December through March) prices tend to be lower, and can also stabilize in warmer climates, such as California and Arizona. If you're sourcing from local or regional farms, prices may be lower during the peak harvest months (spring and early summer, depending on your location). SUPPLY VARIATIONS BY REGION Locals California and Arizona are the two largest lettuce- growing regions in the U.S. Lettuce prices can be more stable when these regions have abundant supply, but disruptions due to weather or agricultural diseases (like lettuce E. coli outbreaks) can cause price spikes. Imports If local supply runs low or quality declines, wholesalers might turn to imports from countries like Mexico. This can lower costs in some markets but introduce variability in price and quality. NOTE: E. coli illness is raw fruits and vegetables that have come in contact with feces from infected animals.  SUMMARY Storage Temperature: 34-36°F (1-2°C) for both storage and delivery. Shelf Life: Typically 5-7 days, though this can vary by variety. Leaf lettuce has a shorter shelf life than head lettuce like iceberg or romaine. Quality Indicators: Look for crispness, vibrant color, and firm leaves. Avoid lettuce with yellowing, wilting, or slimy patches. Price Fluctuations: High Prices: Usually in summer and fall due to hotter weather, supply issues, and transportation costs. Low Prices: Typically in winter and early spring, when supply is more stable or when the harvest season is peaking in warm-weather regions. THANK YOU BY RANIA BOUDAWARA