SouthwestBlend.com guide to Lettuce, the history of lettuce, how to plant lettuce, and great lettuce recipes.

All About Lettuce
The History of Lettuce       Lettuce Nutrition      
Lettuce Varieties           How to Plant Lettuce
Companion Plants       Heirloom Lettuce    Lettuce Recipes                

Lettuce is one of the oldest known vegetables, believed to be native to the Mediterranean area, and cultivated for over 2000 years. Not only has it been valued as a vegetable, but it has been revered as a medicinal plant with extraordinary powers, in some cultures.

Lettuce, known as kahn to the Persians, was served to Persian royalty of the 6th century B.C and it was known for it's intrinsic medicinal values. The ancient Greeks called lettuce tridax in the 4th and 5th centuries B.C., and praised its virtues.

Common garden lettuce (L. sativa) was known in China in the 5th century, if not earlier and a form of "stem lettuce" is native to China.

Romaine lettuce was named by the Romans who believed it had healthful properties. Emperor Caesar Augustus had a statue praising lettuce erected as he was convinced it cured an illness with which he was afflicted. Lettuce was popular among the Romans about the beginning of the Christian Era, although it was boiled and served with oil and vinegar as a digestive aid and sedative and usually consumed after large meals. When the Romans conquered England, lettuce, eaten in the Roman way, was introduced to England.

By the 16th century, lettuce was eaten raw in salads and believed to cool the stomach, prevent hangovers, act as a sedative, quench thirst and act as a stimulant to provide milk for nursing mothers. On the other hand, there were those that believed lettuce could cause sterility in women, and that it could be used to arouse love.

It is believed Columbus carried lettuce to the New World, as its culture was reported in the Bahamas in 1494. It was common in Haiti by 1565. It is not really known when it was introduced into South America, but it was under cultivation in Brazil by 1650.

Lettuce was introduced to America by the Pilgrims and planted along with other salad greens they grew in their homeland.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is without doubt the world's most popular salad plant and it is grown in loose, leafy types, "stemmy" types and firm-headed types, world wide. Lettuce is also used to make soap, toilet water and skin lotions.
Back to top

Lettuce Nutrition:

Butterhead, Boston and Bibb type lettuces: are low in Sodium, and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Potassium and Manganese.
Romaine lettuce: is low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Folate, Iron, Potassium and Manganese.It is high in vitamin C and has eight times the beta carotene as iceberg lettuce.
Green leaf lettuces: are low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Potassium and Manganese.
Iceberg lettuce: is low in Sodium, and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Iron and Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate and Manganese. It is a very good source of iron and requires more calories per serving to digest than it contains. It contains approximately 20 vitamins, minerals and elements essential to good health.
Redleaf lettuces: are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Selenium, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Potassium and Manganese.
Back to top

Lettuce Varieties:
Looseleaf: These varieties form loose heads and mature in 45-60 days. They are easy to grow and leaf texture color and shape vary with variety. Varieties include Black-seeded Simpson, Green Ice, Red Sails, Roay Oakleaf and Saladbowl.

Crisphead: The icebergs, slow and somewhat difficult to grow, taking 60-70 days to develop. Varieties include Crispino, Rosy and Summertime.

Butterhead: This includes bibb or Boston lettuces, all having very loose heads with soft textured leaves. They mature in 55 to 120 days with some varieties being winter hardy. Varieties include Arctic King, Brune d'Hiver', Buttercrunch, Red Riding Hood and Tom Thumb.

Romaine: Upright heads that easily shed water loving wet spring-times. Heads form late in 50-75 days, when the plants are almost mature. Varieties include Little Gem, Romance, Rosalita, Rouge d 'Hiver' and White Density.

Batavian: Barrel-shaped heads in 48 to 60 days, also known as French or summer crisps. Texture is similar to iceberg or crispheads but are much easier to grow. Varieties include Cardinale, Loma, Nevada and Sierra.
Back to top

Resource Guide Food & Drink Guide
HOME	EXPLORE BY STATE	CITIES & TOWNS
ART & CRAFTS	BODY, MIND & SPIRIT	BOOKS & POETRY
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL	ECO & EARTH FRIENDLY	EVENTS CALENDAR
FASHION, BEAUTY & SPA	FOOD & DRINK	HISTORY & HERITAGE
HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES	HOME & GARDEN	KID'S KORNER & FAMILY GUIDE
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT	NATURE, WILDLIFE & SCIENCE	RECREATION & SPORTS
SHOPPING & DISCOUNTS	TRAVEL DESTINATIONS	WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING
ARTICLE ARCHIVES & SITE MAPS	SUBJECT GUIDES	SITE MAPS, GLOSSARIES & FAQ
ABOUT US	CONTACT US	SUBMIT EVENT
SUBMIT PRESS RELEASE	THE BURRO EXPRESS ELETTER	CHAMPAGNE SUNDAYS RADIO SHOW
OUR BLOG	GET REPRESENTED ON OUR SITE	FROM OUR READERS
This site developed by Free Spirit Promotions™, publishers of the Southwest Blend™, no part of it may be reproduced for any reason, with out written permission. © from 1998, SouthwestBlend.com™, The Blend Magazine.com™, Southwest Blend Annual Guide™. PO Box 1256, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 Please note opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily the opinions of this publication or any of its staff. We reserve the right to edit submittals. All subject matter is intended for general information only and not to be take as personal advice in any matter. Although every effort is made to be accurate, we cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies or plagiarized copy submitted to us by advertisers or contributors.