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Lettuce

Also Known As : Salad patta
Technical Name : Lactuca sativa

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

It has a pleasant, mild taste.

Usage Tips

  1. Lettuces can be used in burgers, salads, spring rolls and salads.
  2. It pairs well with garden peas, green beans,citrus fruits as well as with seafood like shrimp and prawns.
  3. It can also be used in sandwiches and wraps.

Common names and forms

  1. Salad leaves

Description

Lettuce happens to be a leafy herbaceous annual or biennial plant in the family of Asteraceae, mainly grown for its leaves. They generally vary in size, shape, and leaf type with a dense head or loose rosette. The stem of the plant is stunted, with larger leaves settled at the bottom that progressively turn smaller further up the stem. The leaves are usually green or red in colour. They generally grow to a height of 30-100 cm and is typically grown as an annual plant that is harvested after only one growing season. Their origin is said to be from Asia Minor and the Middle East. There are generally four botanical varieties of lettuce that are cultivated, first is the celtuce or the asparagus lettuce that has narrow leaves and a thick succulent, edible stem. Second is the head or cabbage lettuce that has leaves folded into a compact head. Third is the leaf or curled lettuce that has a rosette of leaves, which is curled finely and has a finely cut, smooth-edged or oak-leaved in shape. And the last one happens to be cos or romaine lettuce, which has smooth leaves that form a tall, oblong, loosehead. Likewise, there are two classes of head lettuce, one being with soft heads of thick oily-textured leaves, and the other ones happen to be crisphead types, such as iceberg lettuce that has a brittle-textured leaves with a very hard head. Lettuce is regarded as a cool-weather crop but is cultivated all around the year, hence it is available in almost every season.


 

Health benefits

  • Lettuce has anti-inflammatory properties that help in controlling inflammation.(1)
  • It is beneficial in lowering high cholesterol levels which often lead to heart diseases.(1)
  • It contain anxiolytic properties that helps to controls anxiety.(1)
  • It contain vitamin K, that helps to prevent neural defects.(2)
  • It contain anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.(2)

Selection Guide

Avoid lettuce that are wilted or have brown-edged or slimy leaves. The lettuce leaves should be firm and always select lettuce with bright, crisp and tender leaves.While storing them clean and dry thoroughly, then roll them in the kitchen towel wrapped in a plastic bag and store them in the hydrator of the refrigerator. Hence, storing them in the said manner would keep them fresh and usable for a week or so.

Note

Lettuce may cause allergic reaction in some people like skin rashes and itching. It may also cause nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.(3)

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”