How to Pick a Head of Lettuce
The difference between fresh, green lettuce and the wilted, brown variety is the difference between enjoying your salad and throwing it away. Too often, the lettuce you find at the grocery store or stuffed in your sandwich at a restaurant is limp, discolored and utterly unappetizing. To be sure your own salads and sandwiches have only the freshest leaves, follow these steps to choosing a crisp, healthy and delicious head of lettuce. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Examine the color of the lettuce leaves. They should be a vibrant green, not too dark or too light.
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Hold up the head of lettuce. The leaves should stand basically upright and not flop too much from side to side. Limp lettuce will not taste crisp and fresh.
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Look for brown or yellow spots on the lettuce leaves, or areas were they are starting to rot. Such spots are good indications that the entire head will rot quickly.
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Avoid lettuce that looks dull and leathery on the tips. These leaves will be tougher and not as tasty as young, fresh leaves.
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Choose lettuce that is grown close to where you live, when possible, as it will generally be fresher than lettuce that has traveled a long distance.
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Tips & Warnings
When you get the lettuce home, shake out as much moisture as possible and store it in the refrigerator in one of the bottom produce drawers.
Be sure to wash your lettuce thoroughly before eating it.
