Facts about Lettuce
- 08
Lactuca sativa, the scientific name for lettuce, derives from the Latin word 'lactis' meaning milk, referring to the milky sap that flows from the stem when the plant is cut.
- 07
Bolting in lettuce occurs when temperatures exceed 75°F for extended periods, causing the plant to flower and become bitter within 7-10 days, drastically reducing its market quality.
- 06
Cos lettuce varieties can regenerate multiple harvests from a single plant when outer leaves are carefully removed, allowing gardeners to pick continuously for 2-3 months during growing season.
- 05
Romaine lettuce contains roughly 3 times more vitamin C than iceberg varieties, with approximately 3.7 milligrams per 100 grams compared to 1.2 milligrams.
- 04
Butterhead lettuce varieties develop their characteristic loose heads through a natural layering process that takes approximately 60-70 days from seed to harvest maturity.
- 03
Ancient Romans cultivated lettuce around 50 CE, with Pliny the Elder documenting multiple varieties in his Natural History, establishing leafy greens as a staple of Mediterranean cuisine.
- 02
In 1995, Salmonella contamination in lettuce from California caused approximately 160 illnesses across multiple states, becoming one of the first major produce-related food safety incidents to spark national concern.
- 01
The iceberg lettuce variety contains approximately 95 percent water by weight, making it one of the least calorie-dense vegetables at just 15 calories per 100 grams.