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Know Your Greens: Types of Lettuce & How to Eat Them
There’s a great variety of lettuce available in the Philippines and most people use these varieties interchangeably depending on what’s available or affordable in the market. While we’re all for experimentation and finding what best suits you, we’re also here to help you make mealtimes better by showing you the best way to make the most out of simple ingredients like lettuce. We even have lettuce recipes you can try at home.
The different varieties of lettuce fall into four categories – crisphead, butterhead, romaine/cos, and loose leaf. Crisphead lettuces are round heads with leaves that are tightly packed and have a crunchy texture like the popular iceberg lettuce. Butterhead lettuces are also round but their leaves have a smoother texture and are less tightly packed in comparison to crisphead lettuces. Romaine lettuces are known for their sturdy long leaves and thick rib. Loose leaf lettuces on the other hand, by nature of its name, have loose and delicate individual leaves vs other lettuce types that come tightly packed.
Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg is perhaps the most popular variety in the Philippines as it’s used in several dishes as toppings or for an added healthful crunch. It has a round shape with large pale-green leaves. While refreshing and crunchy, iceberg lettuce has less nutritional value compared to the darker lettuce types.
Lettuce Category: Crisphead Lettuce
Where to Use It: Chopped salad, wedge salads, taco topping, sandwiches
Recipes to Try:
- Asian Lettuce Cups with Crispy Rice Noodles
- Lettuce Chicken Wraps
- Pinoy Tacos
- Filipino Style Shawarma
- Mango and Kani Salad
Butterhead Lettuce
A type of butterhead lettuce, butterhead, also known as butter lettuce or bibb, is named as such because of its buttery taste. Unlike iceberg lettuce that’s crunchy and watery, butterhead is soft and dense. It’s similar to spinach but with a much milder, less grassy flavor.
Lettuce Category: Butterhead Lettuce
Where to Use It: salads, sandwiches, wraps, bed for appetizers
Recipes to Try:
- Fresh Lumpia with Ubod & Pork Giniling
- Chicken Bacon Explosion
- Beef Bulgogi
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce is the type of lettuce that’s originally used in Caesar salad. It has a slightly bitter flavor compared to other varieties and has a crisp bite to it. It’s also a sturdy lettuce that’s great for hearty salads and sandwiches. You can even roast this in the oven with just some olive oil and parmesan on top for a satisfying way to eat your salad.
Lettuce Category: Romaine Lettuce
Where to Use It: salads, wraps, substitute for a tortilla in wraps, sandwiches, roasted on its own
Recipes to Try:
- Caesar Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Clubhouse Sandwich
- BLT Sandwich
- Chicken and Kesong Puti Salad
Curly Green Lettuce
Curly green lettuce is known for its tight crinkled leaves that make your dishes visually stunning. It has a sturdier leaf that you can use in a variety of dishes. It’s best used in combination with other lettuce in salads but it’s especially great to use in sandwiches for a decorative touch.
Lettuce Category: Loose Leaf Lettuce
Where to Use It: salads, a base for other dishes like appetizers/light mains, sandwiches
Recipes to Try:
- Tuna Sandwich
- Classic Egg Mayo Sandwich
- Beef and Caramelized Apple Sandwich
- American Burger
- Kimbap
Lollo Rosso Lettuce
A common sight in fancy salads, lollo rosso lettuce is a beautiful variety that’s accessible in most markets. It’s iconic for its curly leaves with a purplish and sometimes deep red color. Other varieties are green with a tinge of purple on the edges. Leaning closer to the softer side, this lettuce type has a slightly bitter taste making it a great lettuce to use in combination with other greens as it adds variety and visual appeal.
Lettuce Category: Loose Leaf Lettuce
Where to Use It: mixed salads, garnish for dishes, sandwiches, wraps, a base for appetizers
Recipes to Try:
- Pastrami and Sausage Salad
- Honey Lime and Chicken Sandwich
- Waldorf Salad
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Tempura Salad with Wasabi Mayo
