Lettuce
Lactuca sativa belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae. The word lactuca comes from the Latin lac meaning milk for the white substance produced by the stems when lettuce is cut. Formerly lactucarium or lettuce opium, this substance is now called latex. Lettuce is the only member of the Lactuca genus to be grown commercially.
It was cultivated by the Egyptians as early as 2680 BC. They initially considered it a weed but first used the seeds to produce oil and eventually ate the leaves of the plant. Spreading to Europe where it was eaten raw for centuries, by the late 20th century it was known worldwide.
Most lettuce is used raw in salads, although it is a component of soups, sandwiches and wraps. Centuries ago, China, which produces over half of the worldwide crop, was culturally averse to raw lettuce due to concerns about health risks. Most vegetables there, including lettuce, were cooked prior to serving hot or cold.
Celtuce, Stem or asparagus lettuce—which looks like asparagus, is widely consumed in China, raw or cooked.
Lettuce was usually cooked and served by the Romans with oil and vinegar. The tradition of a premeal salad also began with the Romans.
Lettuce is an annual and suffers from many problems in its growth. It requires low temperatures to prevent it from flowering, called bolting, which turns it bitter. It is plagued by insect and mammal predators, and fungal, viral and bacterial diseases, in addition to being sensitive to soil deficiencies. It does not compete well with weeds and is often started in flats as seeds and then transplanted to growing beds outside. Much modification through cultivation has occurred to lettuce, but genetically modified lettuce has reportedly not reached commercial use at this point.
The latex from stems of lettuce plants contains antimicrobial properties. Lettuce contains defensive compounds—sesquiterpene lactones and flavonol and phenolic glycosides—which help to protect it against pests. In addition, it is considered to have sleep-inducing properties from the sesquiterpene lactones in latex—leading to the plant’s name of sleepwort. Studies have supported the existence of neuronal protection and anti-inflammatory compounds and even antioxidant functions which reduce bad cholesterol.
Lettuce leaves are usually green or red in color, although there are some variegated types and a few with yellow, gold or blue-teal leaves. Lettuce ranges in shape and texture from dense to frilly heads.
Over the centuries of its existence come many myths and legends, often in direct opposition. For example, it is reputed to be a sexual and fertility aid as well as a cause of sterility. The plant also has religious and medicinal significance. The religious ties of lettuce continue into the present day among the Yazidi people of northern Iraq (in the news a year or so ago as victims of ISIS), who have a religious prohibition against eating the plant. Lettuce is also part of the Jewish Passover Seder.
Although most lettuce today is used as a vegetable, some of its wild relatives contribute to the production of tobacco-free cigarettes.
Leaf, head and romaine are the most common lettuce.
Leaf, also known as looseleaf, cutting or bunching lettuce is the most planted. Romaine grows in long, upright heads.
Iceberg or crisphead is still the most popular in the US.
Butterhead, Boston or Bibb lettuce has loosely packed leaves that are more sweet and tender than other varieties.
Summercrisp, Batavian or French crisp is a combination of the iceberg and leaf but more resistant to early flowering/bolting. Another type of lettuce, oilseed, is used for production of oil.
Iceberg and butterhead are sometimes called cabbage lettuce due to their shape in comparison to Romaine lettuce.
Leafing varieties are becoming more popular than head varieties, which formerly predominated the market.
Lettuce degrades rapidly when stored with foods that release the ripening agent ethylene gas, so do not store it near apples, pears or bananas.
Because of its high water content, lettuce has a short lifespan, cannot be frozen, canned or dried and must be eaten fresh. It originally was not shipped far from its place of growth. However, vacuum cooling in the 1950s has allowed for longer transportation time.
Unfortunately vacuum cooling also increased the survival of E. coli. The bacterial infections transmitted by the crop are usually due to contaminants from animal feces/manure either directly sprayed on the fields as fertilizer or as a result of improper hygiene practices.
Most lettuce is a rich source of Vitamin K and Vitamin A, with limited iron and Vitamin B9/folate. In addition, especially romaine contains fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, sodium and Vitamin C and E.
Iceberg lettuce contains some vitamins and minerals, but due to its water weight, has been called a nutritional desert. Iceberg lettuce contains 14 calories per 100 grams. It is low in sodium and very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Pale to white lettuce has fewer nutrients than darker green leaves.
Iceberg lettuce is a wonderful diet aid, crunchy while supplying copious amounts of water and fiber to increase feelings of satiety. With a small dollop of Vegenaise, a delicious plant-exclusive mayonnaise, a wedge, or small head of iceberg makes a satisfying, guilt-free treat. Enjoy…
Lactuca sativa belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae. The word lactuca comes from the Latin lac meaning milk for the white substance produced by the stems when lettuce is cut. Formerly lactucarium or lettuce opium, this substance is now called latex. Lettuce is the only member of the Lactuca genus to be grown commercially.
It was cultivated by the Egyptians as early as 2680 BC. They initially considered it a weed but first used the seeds to produce oil and eventually ate the leaves of the plant. Spreading to Europe where it was eaten raw for centuries, by the late 20th century it was known worldwide.
Most lettuce is used raw in salads, although it is a component of soups, sandwiches and wraps. Centuries ago, China, which produces over half of the worldwide crop, was culturally averse to raw lettuce due to concerns about health risks. Most vegetables there, including lettuce, were cooked prior to serving hot or cold.
Celtuce, Stem or asparagus lettuce—which looks like asparagus, is widely consumed in China, raw or cooked.
Lettuce was usually cooked and served by the Romans with oil and vinegar. The tradition of a premeal salad also began with the Romans.
Lettuce is an annual and suffers from many problems in its growth. It requires low temperatures to prevent it from flowering, called bolting, which turns it bitter. It is plagued by insect and mammal predators, and fungal, viral and bacterial diseases, in addition to being sensitive to soil deficiencies. It does not compete well with weeds and is often started in flats as seeds and then transplanted to growing beds outside. Much modification through cultivation has occurred to lettuce, but genetically modified lettuce has reportedly not reached commercial use at this point.
The latex from stems of lettuce plants contains antimicrobial properties. Lettuce contains defensive compounds—sesquiterpene lactones and flavonol and phenolic glycosides—which help to protect it against pests. In addition, it is considered to have sleep-inducing properties from the sesquiterpene lactones in latex—leading to the plant’s name of sleepwort. Studies have supported the existence of neuronal protection and anti-inflammatory compounds and even antioxidant functions which reduce bad cholesterol.
Lettuce leaves are usually green or red in color, although there are some variegated types and a few with yellow, gold or blue-teal leaves. Lettuce ranges in shape and texture from dense to frilly heads.
Over the centuries of its existence come many myths and legends, often in direct opposition. For example, it is reputed to be a sexual and fertility aid as well as a cause of sterility. The plant also has religious and medicinal significance. The religious ties of lettuce continue into the present day among the Yazidi people of northern Iraq (in the news a year or so ago as victims of ISIS), who have a religious prohibition against eating the plant. Lettuce is also part of the Jewish Passover Seder.
Although most lettuce today is used as a vegetable, some of its wild relatives contribute to the production of tobacco-free cigarettes.
Leaf, head and romaine are the most common lettuce.
Leaf, also known as looseleaf, cutting or bunching lettuce is the most planted. Romaine grows in long, upright heads.
Iceberg or crisphead is still the most popular in the US.
Butterhead, Boston or Bibb lettuce has loosely packed leaves that are more sweet and tender than other varieties.
Summercrisp, Batavian or French crisp is a combination of the iceberg and leaf but more resistant to early flowering/bolting. Another type of lettuce, oilseed, is used for production of oil.
Iceberg and butterhead are sometimes called cabbage lettuce due to their shape in comparison to Romaine lettuce.
Leafing varieties are becoming more popular than head varieties, which formerly predominated the market.
Lettuce degrades rapidly when stored with foods that release the ripening agent ethylene gas, so do not store it near apples, pears or bananas.
Because of its high water content, lettuce has a short lifespan, cannot be frozen, canned or dried and must be eaten fresh. It originally was not shipped far from its place of growth. However, vacuum cooling in the 1950s has allowed for longer transportation time.
Unfortunately vacuum cooling also increased the survival of E. coli. The bacterial infections transmitted by the crop are usually due to contaminants from animal feces/manure either directly sprayed on the fields as fertilizer or as a result of improper hygiene practices.
Most lettuce is a rich source of Vitamin K and Vitamin A, with limited iron and Vitamin B9/folate. In addition, especially romaine contains fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, sodium and Vitamin C and E.
Iceberg lettuce contains some vitamins and minerals, but due to its water weight, has been called a nutritional desert. Iceberg lettuce contains 14 calories per 100 grams. It is low in sodium and very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Pale to white lettuce has fewer nutrients than darker green leaves.
Iceberg lettuce is a wonderful diet aid, crunchy while supplying copious amounts of water and fiber to increase feelings of satiety. With a small dollop of Vegenaise, a delicious plant-exclusive mayonnaise, a wedge, or small head of iceberg makes a satisfying, guilt-free treat. Enjoy…