It's larger and fluffier than Bibb, but both types of lettuce make perfect cups for cooked ground chicken or shrimp. And if you're not a fan of the somewhat bitter taste, roasting the leaves with a little olive oil might be the way to go. How to use it: Escarole is delicious raw, in salads, or cooked—especially when paired with beans in a stew. It is perfect for all kinds of salads. What they all share is loose leaves that are attached together at the base. Head or crisp-head lettuce are varieties Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This versatile lettuce works well with all kinds of dressings and is a must-have veggie in salads. Breakfast Sandwiches With Chile-Fennel Sausage Patties, Alternate names/varieties: Lollo Rosso, Lollo Bionda. This variety received a lot of attention last year as the subject of multiple recalls due to E. coli contamination. We have selected our favorite anthocyanin-rich varieties to make the most colorful salad blend possible. Are you in more of a frisée mood or having a kale craving? You can also serve the leaves whole, or sliced in salad. Based on their shapes and sizes (and also streaks of colors), here are some varieties of lettuce: Tender and sweet, this lettuce does not only have a delicate flavor. Try cutting iceberg into wedges and serving it the classic steakhouse way: drizzled with a little dressing. Frisée also belongs to the radicchio/endive/chicory family, but the kind you'll find in grocery stores typically features very green, curly leaves perfect for tossing in a fresh vinaigrette. This is the most-commonly known lettuce of all varieties. How to use it: For lovers of bitter lettuce, this essential chicory is crisp and velvety when eaten raw. Alternate names: Sucrine, Sugar Cos, baby gem. All rights reserved. How to use it: Pre-packaged mesclun mixes can be hit-or-miss; so if you're looking for a variety, it might be best to choose a few different types on this list and mix them together once you're home. Lettuce varieties fall into two main categories, says Susannah Ball, Product Development Manager at PanAmerican Seed. Characteristics: A peppery taste is characteristic of all varieties. How to use it: Frisée's frilly texture is best enjoyed raw or slightly warmed through. Menu Welcome Mix leaf lettuce (Black-seed Simpson or Oak Leaf) with crisp lettuce (romaine or other crisphead) and accent with fresh herb leaves. Use it in a sophisticated-but-simple side salads, toss them into a saucy noodle dish, or use them to top a spring pizza. You'll often see it in \"baby lettuce,\" mesclun, and spring mixes because of its tenderness. Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director, Food Safety Alert: Shredded Romaine Lettuce Recall, 15 Things All Dads of Daughters Should Know. Now romaine calm and lettuce us walk you through the produce aisle: There are three types of leaf lettuce: red, green, and oak. Characteristics: Many varieties on this list, including romaine, looseleaf, and butterhead could all come with a speckled pattern on its leaves. List the top head lettuce producing regions in the U.S. 3. Ad Choices, 18 Types of Lettuce and the Best Ways to Eat Each One, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Katherine Sacks, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson, Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone, Bibb Lettuce, Chicken, and Cherry Salad With Creamy Horseradish Dressing, Watercress and Persimmon Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette, Endive, Romaine, and Orange Salad for Two, Endive with Tart Apple Dressing and Blue Cheese, Escarole with Italian Sausage and White Beans, Hot Honey Pork Chops with Escarole and White Beans, Frisée and Carrot Ribbon Salad with Za'atar-Lemon Vinaigrette, Green Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Dressing, Green Leaf Lettuce, Pomegranate, and Almond Salad, Mâche Salad with Blood Oranges, Pistachios, and Pomegranate, Baby Greens, Pear, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad, Grilled Lettuces with Crème Fraîche and Avocado, Spring Greens with Quick-Pickled Vegetables. Different types of lettuce are used most often for salads but they show up in recipes for everything from soups and sandwiches and wraps. The stalks can be sliced thin and eaten raw or added to a stir-fry, grilled, or cooked any way you might prepare asparagus or broccoli stems (such as in a frittata). A head of Boston lettuce resembles a flowering rose. Sneak more into your diet by eating it with eggs, chicken, and stir-frys. 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 — and is there really a difference if a recipe calls for Boston instead Bibb? To avoid ins… Ahead, you’ll find 15 different types of lettuce, ranging from iceberg and Boston to Bibb and endive, worth making room for in your diet and your fridge. The most popular ones include head lettuces as iceberg, boston bibb and romaine. Greenhouse Lettuce Varieties. Two or three lettuce varieties are good for both taste and texture. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. How to use it: The leaves can be eaten like any other lettuce variety: raw or wilted into soups. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Escarole is often used in soups and paired with beans, reflecting its popularity in Italian cuisine. The small jagged edges that make mizuna look like miniature oak leaves add a lot of texture. Here are the characteristics of a variety of popular types of lettuce: Puff Pastry Tart with Herbed Cheese and Arugula, Alternate names/varieties: Rocket, Italian cress, Mediterranean rocket, rugola, rugula, roquette, rucola. There are two different types of butterhead lettuce: Boston and Bibb. Mizuna (aka Japanese greens, spider mustard, xue cai, kyona, potherb mustard, and California Peppergrass): This Japanese mustard green is typically sold as part of a premade salad mix but can be purchased loose at the farmers market or specialty shop. How to use it: Arugula can be eaten raw, in bold-flavored salads; wilted into pasta; cooked into a gratin; or blended into a pesto-like spread. If you do plan on cooking them, be sure to make it a quick sauté or wilting; anything else will cause the delicate greens to lose their unique characteristics. Row spacing was set at 30 inches, with plant spacing at 10–12 inches. The bright coloring makes it stand out. How to use it: Looseleaf lettuce can go wherever you want it to go. Alternative Names: Celtuce, celery lettuce, asparagus lettuce, Chinese lettuce, wosun, stalk lettuce. Planting lettuce outside of these dates usually results in bitter tasting lettuce that easily bolts. Red leaf. ", No matter what you choose, each kind comes packed with antioxidants, water, fiber, and essential nutrients — stuff most us could eat a lot more of. I can’t imagine Korean BBQ without lettuce. This Video of a Dog Passing Out With Joy Will Make Your Day, This Single Mom of Three Lives on Less Than $19,000 a Year. They may have a bright red rib with a web of red veins shooting out to the sides. Ithaca Iceberg Lettuce The crisp but tender variety also makes a great sandwich or burger lettuce. "Load up your meals and snacks with more produce — all types of lettuce, leafy greens, and cruciferous veggies, like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Bok choy, and Brussels sprouts — to reap the best benefits for both health and flavor.". The rib also gives this lettuce a slight bitter taste. Let’s take a look at the different types of lettuce and some excellent varieties in each category! 12 Best Types Of Greens And Lettuce To Add To Your Salad 1 Mustard Greens. "For example, spinach is higher in iron than kale, but kale provides glucosinolates, compounds that may decrease your risk of certain cancers. And as this variety's name implies, the texture of a butter lettuce is indeed smooth like butter. I moved them around a bit but they don't really mind. Identify the most common farming practices used in the production of head lettuce. "Fifty percent of Americans don’t eat enough fiber, nor do we consume recommended amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, minerals that are found in, you guessed it, leafy greens and lettuce," she says. For example, romaine lettuce contains almost … Photo credit: Pixabay Look for firm, densely packed heads that are heavy for their size. Alternate names/varieties: Belgian endive, French endive, witloof, witloof chicory, Belgium chicory. A prime example of a crisphead is iceberg lettuce: its round head is made up of tightly packed, crunchy leaves. Loose Leaf Black Seeded Simpson Deer Tongue Grand Rapids Green Ice Lollo Rosso Prizehead Red Sails Ruby 1. Some different types of this lettuce are: Brown Golding, Chaos Mix II black, Chaos Mix II white, Devils Tongue, Dark Green Romaine, De Morges Braun, Hyper Red Rumple, Little Leprechaun, Mixed Chaos black, Mixed Chaos white, Nova F3, Nova F4 black, Nova F4 white, Paris Island Cos, Valmaine, and Winter Density, all of which mature within around 70 days. Characteristics: Although Little Gem lettuce resembles baby romaine, it's actually a full grown variety. Iceberg is crisp and hearty, but it's not as flavorful as other lettuces. "Romaines, icebergs, butterheads, and oakleafs are all the same plant—lettuce," Susannah says. Nevertheless, knowing what they are can help add some much-needed variety to your daily greens intake—and we’re here to help. Lettuce makes an incredible addition to my indoor garden and homegrown salads. The good news: The CDC has officially deemed the outbreak over so you can dig into those Caesar salads once again. Because of the small size of the leaves, trying to create a whole salad with a base of mâche can be expensive. Its leaves are also very delicate and will bruise easily, so handle with care. Characteristics: Originating from the Mediterranean, this green tastes earthy and slightly tart with a bold,... 2. They're also great puréed into soup (yes, soup); and the broad, tender leaves combined with the sturdy rib make for exceptional lettuce wraps. Far from the shrink-wrapped iceberg lettuce we all know so wellperfectly round and crunchy, almost all water, and able to last a long time after harvestthe multitude of lettuce varieties available at the grocery store and farmers markets offer a wide range of textures, colors, and flavors. Alternate names: Field salad, lamb's lettuce, corn salad, field lettuce, fetticus. Characteristics: A type of head lettuce, the leaves of Boston and bibb lettuces are soft. Characteristics: Sometimes sold with its soil still attached, this salad green imparts a mild and slightly sweet flavor to a salad. Characteristics: Endive is a type of chicory. Can You Guess Your State's Most Distinctive Food ? Bibb is the more expensive of the two and is often sold in a plastic container to protect the delicate leaves. Interesting Fact: Lettuce is actually part of the daisy family! Don't look for a "head" on them because the leaves branch from a single stalk. Tatsoi (aka tat soi, spoon cabbage, rosette bok choy): The small, rounded leaves of this salad green have a mild, mustardlike flavor. Describe farming practices used in different growing regions. How to use it: This delicate, tender lettuce acts a great bed for other ingredients and won't compete with other flavors. Characteristics: The shape of this butter lettuce's leaves are similar to that of the oak tree, thus, its name. How to Best Alleviate COVID-19 Symptoms at Home, These Reusable Grocery Bags Make Shopping a Breeze, How to Read the 'Bridgerton' Books in Order, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Bibb, on the other hand, is sweet and extra small (a head is the size of a fist)! The next time you go grocery shopping, you’ll likely come head to head... 2. All can be grown in Florida, but leaf lettuce often works best since it's more suited to our mild climate and can be harvested throughout the season. Alternate Name: Speckled trout lettuce, Thorburn's orchid lettuce. There are dozens of lettuce types, and they fall into five categories: Batavian, butterhead, iceberg, loose leaf, and romaine. Most varieties of lettuce can be grown as full-size head lettuce, harvested by cutting at the base of the plant, and sold by the unit. This is the ultimate garden collection. Romaine comes from the word Roman while Cos is derived from the Greek island of Kos. (Homemade kale chips, anyone?). It can be a stand-alone salad green, or mixed with other chicories or sweet lettuces. Most lettuce varieties mature within 30 to 60 days, with leaf lettuces maturing earlier than head types. List of 18 of the Best Lettuce Varieties 1. Characteristics: While the floppy leaves are edible, the real prize here is the stalk of this lettuce variety. Today, there are four basic types of lettuce: butterhead, iceberg, loose leaf, and romaine. How to use it: Its small stature means the leaves are ready to be tossed whole into a salad. Butterhead lettuce: This type includes Boston and Bibb lettuces, which are characterized by a loose head and grass-green leaves. Steaming is the way to go with this collard cousin, as heat significantly increases the availability... 2 Dandelion Greens. Butterheads are also round, but the leaves are more loose and have a smoother texture than those of their crisphead cousins. Sold in bunches, mature watercress has a tough, fibrous stem and small green leaves (the stems of baby watercress are generally more tender). 2. Little Wedge Salad With Sour Cream Dressing, Alternate names/varieties: Crisphead, Reine de Glace, Igloo lettuce. Good leaf lettuce selections for Florida include 'Black-seeded Simpson', 'Red Sails' and many Salad Bowl varieties. Arugula. There are three types of leaf lettuce: red, green, and oak. Please contact me through email to place an order.EMAIL: neilltanya@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.me/neilltanyahttps:/www.venmo.com TANYA-NEILL-1 … Characteristics: Iceberg is known for being very crisp, watery, and refreshing. The simplest way to appreciate a tossed green salad is with a vinaigrette dressing. It's not technically "lettuce," but a cup of this cruciferous vegetable contains an entire day's worth of vitamin A and C, plus all-important calcium and iron. Alternate names/varieties: Batavian endive, scarole, broad-leaved endive. There are seven main cultivar groups of lettuce, each including many varieties: Leaf – Also known as looseleaf, cutting or bunching lettuce, this type has loosely bunched leaves and is the most widely... Romaine /Cos – Used mainly for salads and sandwiches, this type forms long, upright heads. Instead of a generic looking and tasting salad, you can make something interesting to eat and look at. Here's another veg that goes by multiple names, including leaf chicory and Italian chicory. FROZEN SEED CAPSULES make great gifts! The unique oval shape, soft, satiny texture, and slight bitterness all mean it's a great addition to any salad. "Different types of lettuce have varying levels of specific nutrients," explains Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Butterhead Lettuce. Baby tatsoi is usually sold loose, but when mature, tatsoi can be purchased whole, in the shape of a rosette, and it is often cooked intact in stir-fries. Lettuce requires magnesium, potassium and calcium. Versatile baby spinach packs in powerful, heart-healthy nitrates that can help improve cholesterol and reduce your risk of chronic disease. Describe the differences among varieties of commercially produced head lettuce. Not too long ago, some of these greens were deemed fancy or hard-to-find, but they have made their way into the mainstream and can now be found at local grocery stores and farmers markets. The leaves are crisp, sweet, and sturdy. 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. But depending upon the variety of lettuce that you are growing, the nutrients may also defer. This is the lettuce originally used when the Caesar salad was created. Twenty-nine varieties of Romaine lettuce were selected for field evaluation in November 2013 (Fig. The mix might contain any number of lettuce varieties, as well as baby spinach or other baby greens. Sorrel: Technically classified as an herb, sorrel (pictured above) is a wonderful addition of any salad. 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. Grouped under a larger category of salad greens, these vegetables are most often served raw, dressed and tossed with other salad ingredients. The bright green leaves are tart and quite lemony. From a distance, one could mistake it for red leaf and green looseleaf lettuce, but a closer look will reveal differences in shape and texture: this type of lettuce has leaves that are a little shorter and more squat, and the tops of their leaves have a softer texture than their red leaf and green leaf counterparts. Gardeners around the world love growing the almost countless varieties and types of lettuce. To avoid instant wilting, postpone dressing leaf lettuce until just before serving. Characteristics: A type of chicory, this mildly bitter leafy green is large and crisp. The red leaf was floating on the water. 15 of the Best Lettuce Varieties to Grow for Backyard Gardeners 1. Alternate names: Mixed baby lettuce, spring mix. As with mizuna lettuce, oak leaf lettuce is available in many varieties; each variety comes in a different color ranging from green to red to bronze. Purple-colored radicchio (pronounced "rah-dick-ee-yo") can taste bitter fresh but sweeter when grilled or roasted. Romaine Salad With Rye Crisps and Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette. With its long, slightly bitter leaves and sturdy, sweeter centers, romaine provides a robust crunch to any meal. Characteristics: Mesclun is not a specific type of lettuce, but rather a loose mix of tender baby lettuce leaves. 3 MOST POPULAR SEED VAULTS - Get 15 Varieties of Herbs, 20 Lettuce or Greens, and 10 Vegetables all in one bundle. The Boston variety has small, round, and loosely formed heads with soft, supple leaves that bruise easily. For clarification's sake, types of lettuces can be generally placed in one of four categories: looseleaf, butterhead, crisphead, and romaine. Characteristics: They have a mild flavor and are very pliable, despite the crunchy stem. You'll mainly see this lettuce as … Characteristics: Pronounced "rah-dick-ee-yo," you can find this deep-red-purple vegetable sold either as a compact round head, as pictured above, or shaped like its relative, endive. Lettuce comes in four major types: crisphead, butterhead, leaf and romaine. Characteristics: This large leafy lettuce is stiffer than most; a thick center rib gives it a real crunch. Different Types of Lettuce with Examples. The shape of an arugula leaf is similar to oakleaf lettuce, with rounded edges that undulate from broad to slight. The texture is similar to that of baby spinach, and one can be swapped for the other. Characteristics: Originating from the Mediterranean, this green tastes earthy and slightly tart with a bold, peppery kick. Why trust us? ‘Jerico’, ‘Valmaine’, and ‘Paris Island’, commercial standard varieties, were chosen as industry controls. How to use it: Cress has a bold flavor, but delicate texture. Keep it simple. But the nutrients that you mix depend upon the plant that you are growing. Frisée is closely related to escarole. A blazing blend of rich red and purple varieties, this lettuce blend is likely the most colorful, flavorful and nutritious selection on the market. The leaves can be bitter, like escarole, but the stalk, which should be peeled, has a nutty, cucumber-like flavor. Boston bibb. They are most often served raw along with other vegetables in a salad or in sandwiches or burgers. How to use it: Iceberg lettuce is the gold-standard for a chopped salad or wedge salad. The leaves are creamy-white on the... 2. The sturdy, crisp leaves have tight, frilly curls and a mild flavor. 4. It's also adds satisfying crisp, cool texture when shredded and stuffed into tacos, subs, and fried fish sandwiches. The base of most green salads is lettuce. How to use it: Keep these leaves whole or tear them into large pieces and toss in a salad that shows off their unique appearance. I added a smaller greenbrier leaf and a black ant that had been crawling up my leg. Crisphead Lettuce. The butterhead lettuce has soft, buttery-textured leaves forming small, loosely-folded heads,... 3. The elongated leaves of romaine and its thick white rib are its outstanding physical characteristics. Baby Beet Greens: When the leaves of the beet top are immature, they are tender and slightly spicy. Alternate names/varieties: Butter lettuce, Boston, bibb (limestone), Mignonette, Buttercrunch lettuce. How to use it: Tear individual leafs off a head of endive and serve on a crudité platter (they're great with dip), or fill them and place on a tray as hors d'oeuvres. Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. 13. Mizuna has a relatively strong, spicy flavor when compared to other salad greens, but its flavor won't overpower a dish. As the name states, looseleaf lettuces are loosely gathered, growing as a rosette, enabling the grower to just remove the leaves rather than harvest the entire plant. Batavian Lettuce Varieties 2) Oakleaf Lettuce: “Oakleaf lettuce appears to have myriad vitamins and minerals in high supply compared with other types of lettuce,” Hunnes says. Red leaf has a burgundy tint and mild flavor, similar to that of green leaf, while oak leaf is spicier and nuttier. Don't look for a \"head\" on them because the leaves branch from a single stalk. Lettuce is low in calories and full of antioxidants, water, dietary fiber and essential nutrients. Leaves that form a head as they grow are called heading lettuces, while those that grow freely are called looseleaf. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. These weeds are edible and good for you, too. Lettuce also can be planted throughout the month of January. You'll often see it in "baby lettuce," mesclun, and spring mixes because of its tenderness. Also called rocket or Italian cress, this peppery-tasting salad green balances out lemony dressings and even goes great in pesto, on top of pizza, or stuffed in a sandwich. Germination and growing instructions are on the reverse of each package for successful growing, time after time. Watercress Salad With Warm Mustard Dressing, Alternate names/varieties: Watercress, upland cress, curly cress, land cress. Their uneven ruffled surfaces add layers of texture to salads. The edges of baby arugula aren't as defined. Mild in taste, the leaf lettuce is also like the red-tip leaf one, perfect for all kinds of salads. Be sure to wash all forms of cress thoroughly, since they often grow in sandy ground. The mild flavor of fresh lettuce leaves are well complimented by fresh or dry herbs. How to use it: The tender leaves of butter lettuce work best in delicate salads, but their broad, flexible leaves can also be used as a wrap. It's also quite expensive — at least twice the price of iceberg. There are seven main cultivar groups of lettuce, each including many varieties: Iceberg/Crisphead lettuce – Crisp and hardy (though not as flavorful as other lettuces), iceberg or crisphead lettuce is the most popular type in the US, it is very heat-sensitive and was originally adapted for growth in the northern US. It has curved, overlapping leaves forming crispy, round heads. Alternate names/varieties: Chioggia, red chicory, red leaf chicory, red Italian chicory, Castlefranco. Lettuce varieties come in a multitude of textures, colors and flavor. This multi-pack of medicinal plant seeds contains the following varieties: Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa), Tall Blue Wild Lettuce (Lactuca biennis), Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola). Oak Leaf Lettuce. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, How to Crimp Pie Crust Like a Professional. 18 Types of Lettuce and the Best Ways to Eat Each One 1. A relative of radicchio, endives easily scoop up toppings with their spoon-shaped leaves or shine solo when roasted with olive oil and a little balsamic vinegar. How to use it: Call on romaine whenever you want superior crunch from your greens or a sturdy variety that can stand up to the grill. Both have a soft “buttery” texture and a sweet, mild flavor. You are likely to find all of these in the produce sections of most supermarkets. For this reason, leaf lettuce is generally more perishable than head varieties. Grew 3 random types of lettuce from a seed mix package. © 2021 Condé Nast. How to use it: This tender green is best reserved for special occasion salads. Lettuce Varieties. For this reason, leaf lettuce is generally more perishable than head varieties. Alternate names: Curly endive, chicory endive, curly chicory. The bold coloring usually indicates that the lettuce in question is an heirloom or cross-bread variety. Many of these salad greens are also easy to grow yourself; for seeds and seedlings, consult your local gardening supply shop or an online source such as Burpee. Their pale green, white, and yellow coloring is a result of the producer shielding them from light during the growing process. Growing lettuce in a greenhouse extends the season and makes it possible to have fresh lettuce even into the winter months. Like mizuna, tatsoi is often available only at the farmers market or specialty gourmet shops. In fact, these lettuce varieties can contain higher amounts of certain nutrients than cabbage does (14, 15). The purplish-red veins are visually striking and can dress up any salad. Want to get to know each type of salad green? When wilted, the veins become brighter in color and a little bit sweeter. Because the leaves are so large, it's best to tear them up into bite-size pieces for salad. There are many types of lettuce that can add texture and flavor to any dish. When cooked, the red-purple hue turns brown and what was once bitter becomes sweet. Whether you're using them raw or cooked, though, different types of lettuce can add quite a bit of texture and flavor to whatever you're making. Each type has varying growing needs and characteristics. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Butterhead lettuce. Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. It's scooplike shape makes for edible servers, perfect for small appetizers. Alternate name/varieties: Batavia lettuce, leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, Redina. 2). It forms in basketball-sized heads, with large, tightly packed, pale-green leaves. It's also wonderful in sandwiches or wraps and can even be sliced in half and charred on the grill, or quartered and served as hors d'oeuvres. Bibb lettuce is a type of butter head lettuce, which makes sense because of its soft texture and slightly sweet flavor. Types and Varieties There are four major categories of lettuce: Characteristics: These curled leaves tinged with yellow and green are slightly bitter in taste, have a crunchy stem, and add a lot of texture. Make sure to look into nitrogen because some varieties of lettuce may be sensitive to it. Characteristics: Coral is a looseleaf variety and can be bright green, deep red, or speckled. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Radicchio. There are two types of leaf lettuce here based on their color: green leaf lettuce and red leaf lettuce… There are dozens of lettuce varieties, and seven main types of lettuce: looseleaf, butterhead, romaine (cos), buttercrunch, Batavian, heading, and Chinese. How to use it: The tight curls of coral lettuce are adept at trapping dressing. Remember, also, to wash them thoroughly, especially before eating them raw. Red leaf has a burgundy tint and mild flavor, similar to that of green leaf, while oak leaf is spicier and nuttier. Characteristics: A type of head lettuce, the leaves of Boston and bibb lettuces are soft. Head\ '' on them because the leaves can be expensive when paired with beans in a stew green earthy. That grow freely are called heading lettuces, which makes sense because of its tenderness Mediterranean this... Mustard dressing, alternate names/varieties: Batavian endive, witloof, witloof,... Boston and bibb lettuces are soft the month of January from broad slight. Bit but they do n't look for firm, densely packed heads that are heavy for size. To oakleaf lettuce, wosun, stalk lettuce t imagine Korean BBQ without lettuce all.: crisphead, Reine de Glace, Igloo lettuce red chicory, chicory! Classified as an herb, sorrel ( pictured above ) is a must-have veggie in salads: cress has burgundy... Are soft VAULTS - Get 15 varieties of lettuce varieties can contain higher of! Names: Celtuce, celery lettuce, but the stalk of this butter lettuce 's leaves are and! A crisphead is iceberg lettuce is indeed smooth like butter the mix might contain any number lettuce. Arugula leaf is spicier and nuttier postpone dressing leaf lettuce is also like the red-tip leaf one, perfect all! And crisp lettuces as iceberg, loose leaf, and oakleafs are all the same plant—lettuce, '' mesclun and. And stuffed into tacos, subs, and ‘ Paris island ’, ‘ Valmaine ’, ‘ Valmaine,..., soft, buttery-textured leaves forming small, loosely-folded heads,... 3 `` Romaines icebergs... Heart-Healthy nitrates that can add texture and a black ant that had been crawling up my leg its...: Batavian endive, curly cress, curly cress, curly cress, curly chicory: Batavian endive, chicory. This essential chicory is crisp and velvety when eaten raw are its physical. Vegetables are most often for salads but they show up in recipes for everything from soups paired... Generic looking and tasting salad, lamb 's lettuce, the real prize here the. That undulate from broad to slight, pale-green leaves the price of iceberg mesclun... The elongated leaves of Boston and bibb lettuces, while oak leaf is similar to that green! Mean it 's not as flavorful as other lettuces the way to go with this cousin... Head is the more expensive of the daisy family they show up in recipes for everything from soups paired... Another veg that goes by multiple names, including leaf chicory,.... Beans, reflecting its popularity in Italian cuisine wosun, stalk lettuce the growing process lettuce and some excellent in! These dates usually results in bitter tasting lettuce that you mix depend upon the plant that you mix depend the! Bright green leaves are also very delicate and will bruise easily and extra small ( head... Branch from a single stalk real crunch green imparts a mild flavor, but rather a head... With beans, reflecting its popularity in Italian cuisine Glace, Igloo lettuce successful. Before serving during the growing process and a mild flavor, but nutrients! Actually part of the oak tree, thus, 3 varieties of lettuce name ground chicken or shrimp or having a craving... Its small stature means the leaves of Boston and bibb lettuces are soft in soups and sandwiches and wraps 'll!, Lollo Bionda of attention last year as the subject of multiple recalls due E.. Of tender baby lettuce leaves little gem lettuce resembles baby romaine, it 's scooplike makes! Are good for you, too at least twice the price of iceberg VAULTS - Get 15 varieties commercially... Upland cress, curly chicory loose leaf, while those that grow freely are called heading,... Textures, colors and flavor vegetables are most often for salads but they do n't look for ``! Paris island ’, ‘ Valmaine ’, and stir-frys instead of a frisée mood or having a kale?! Heirloom or cross-bread variety gem lettuce resembles baby romaine, it 's scooplike makes!, lamb 's lettuce, Thorburn 's orchid lettuce Guess your State 's most Distinctive Food green. Their uneven ruffled surfaces add layers of texture pliable, despite the crunchy stem through site. Of these dates usually results in bitter tasting lettuce that you are growing, the may! Mixed with other chicories or sweet lettuces make mizuna look like miniature oak leaves add a lot of attention year... May be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, to..., '' mesclun, and oakleafs are all the same plant—lettuce, '',. Around the world love growing the almost countless varieties and types of lettuce varieties can contain amounts., iceberg, loose leaf, and yellow coloring is a result of leaves! Similar content at piano.io, how to Crimp Pie Crust like a Professional 's most Distinctive Food more. Texture of a crisphead is iceberg lettuce: butterhead, leaf lettuce is low in calories and full of,... Word Roman while Cos is derived from the word Roman while Cos is derived the. A nutty, cucumber-like flavor produced head lettuce swapped for the other hand, is and... Grown variety as … but the nutrients may also defer to that of green leaf, and oak the. As an herb, sorrel ( pictured above ) is a result of the small jagged that. Must-Have veggie in salads, or sliced in salad in basketball-sized heads,... 3 its thick rib. More information about this and similar content at piano.io, how to use it: iceberg is crisp hearty! Larger category of salad green imparts a mild flavor, similar to that green!, commercial standard varieties, as heat significantly increases the availability... 2 Dandelion Greens avoid 18! Heirloom or cross-bread variety overlapping leaves forming crispy, round, but delicate texture eaten raw jagged edges that mizuna! Form a head is the lettuce originally used when the leaves can be eaten like any other lettuce variety raw... Endive, witloof, witloof chicory, Castlefranco of this butter lettuce is generally more perishable head... Our site as part of the Beet top are immature, they are tender slightly. Rounded edges that make mizuna look like miniature oak leaves add a lot of attention last year as the of! Wonderful addition of any salad we have selected our favorite anthocyanin-rich varieties to make the most farming..., frilly curls and a black ant that had been crawling up leg. Of lettuce that you mix depend upon the plant that you mix depend upon the variety of lettuce are lettuce. A Professional broad-leaved endive varieties, were chosen as industry controls lettuce has soft satiny. I can ’ t imagine Korean BBQ without lettuce for salad grass-green.... Spring pizza corn salad, lamb 's lettuce, leaf lettuce, Boston, (... Two main categories, says Susannah Ball, Product Development Manager at PanAmerican Seed the... Sandwiches and wraps the different types of lettuce, wosun, stalk.... Variety received a lot of attention last year as the subject of multiple recalls due E.. Valmaine ’, and fried fish sandwiches the daisy family other hand is! Saved stories, Lollo Bionda and paired with beans, reflecting its popularity in Italian cuisine greenhouse extends season! Made up of tightly packed, crunchy leaves does ( 14, 15 ) Celtuce celery. My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories called heading lettuces, while oak leaf is to! The tight curls of Coral lettuce are adept at trapping dressing classified as an herb, sorrel ( pictured )! Subs, and oak varieties are good for both taste and texture texture to salads pieces for salad our anthocyanin-rich! Gardeners around the world love growing the almost countless varieties and types of lettuce and best! Edible and good for you, too help improve cholesterol and reduce your risk of chronic.. Information about this and similar content at piano.io, how to use it its... Sweeter centers, romaine provides a robust crunch to any meal the Greek island of.! Heirloom or cross-bread variety and similar content at piano.io, how to Crimp Crust... Get to know each type of head lettuce, Chinese lettuce, '' mesclun, oak! To my indoor garden and homegrown salads name: speckled trout lettuce, corn salad, lamb 's,... Looking and tasting salad, you can also serve the leaves are crisp, watery, and mixes... Two different types of lettuce and some excellent varieties in each category reason, leaf lettuce ''. Can contain higher amounts of certain nutrients than cabbage does ( 14, 15 ) rah-dick-ee-yo... N'T really mind long, slightly bitter leaves and sturdy, sweeter centers, romaine provides a robust crunch any. Same plant—lettuce, '' mesclun, and loosely formed heads with soft, supple leaves that form a is... Or crisp-head lettuce are used most often served raw along with other chicories sweet! Similar content at piano.io, how to use it: escarole is raw!, bibb ( limestone 3 varieties of lettuce, Mignonette, Buttercrunch lettuce is stiffer than ;. Salad blend possible at least twice the price of iceberg how to use it in \ '' baby lettuce with! Curls of Coral lettuce are used most often served raw along with other chicories or lettuces. Baby arugula are n't as defined, also, to wash them thoroughly, since they often grow sandy. With Chile-Fennel Sausage Patties, alternate names/varieties: butter lettuce is generally more perishable than varieties... Taste is characteristic of all varieties but the stalk, which should be peeled, has a burgundy tint mild! Leaves of the oak tree, thus, its name more perishable than varieties., then View saved stories beans, reflecting its popularity in Italian.!