I came across some fun facts about lettuce the other day and I wanted to share them with you. You can never have too much random knowledge! Here’s a few of my favorites:
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Americans eat about 11 pounds of lettuce per year, per person.
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Thomas Jefferson had 19 varieties of lettuce growing in his garden at Monticello.
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Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family.
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In the United States lettuce is the second most popular fresh vegetable. (Potatoes are the first.)
When wandering the grocery store produce aisles, it can be hard to decide what lettuce to pick – there seems to be quite a few! However, there are essentially four major types of lettuce. Each of these types boasts different characteristics that are worth knowing.
Below, I’ve listed the four types along with some useful characteristics about each type.
Butterhead Lettuce
Known for: Boston and Bibb lettuces
Nutrition (per cup): 7 calories, 36% of daily vitamin A
Taste: Mild with a touch of sweetness
Appearance: Loose head of leaves and a grassy green color
Crisphead Lettuce
Known for: Iceberg lettuce
Nutrition (per cup): 10 calories, 7% of daily vitamin A
Taste: Watery and mild
Appearance: Tightly packed together head of leaves; appearance similar to cabbage
Looseleaf Lettuce
Known for: Green leaf and Oak leaf lettuces
Nutrition (per cup): 5 calories, 53% of daily vitamin A, 11% of daily vitamin C
Taste: Mild with a touch of sweetness
Appearance: Leaves join at the stem and extend outward; does not form a head
Romaine or Cos Lettuce
Known for: Romaine
Nutrition (per cup): 8 calories, 82% of daily vitamin A, 19% of daily vitamin C
Taste: Strong; crispy texture
Appearance: Dark green in color; leaves wrap around one another in an oblong shape
Now that you have the low-down on lettuce, here are some great healthy (and tasty!) salad recipes for you to try. Happy grazing!
Almond Mandarin Salad
Apple Feta Tossed Salad
Grilled Thai Chicken Salad
Black Bean Chicken Salad
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