How to Pick Red Leaf Lettuce

Choosing red leaf lettuce is simple, whether you are selecting appropriate leaves from your garden, or choosing a head of red leaf lettuce from the supermarket. The properties you will look for in the lettuce are the same, regardless of its origin.

Things You'll Need

• Red leaf lettuce growing in the garden or red leaf lettuce at the supermarket.

Instructions

1. Look at the leaves of the lettuce you are considering. Red leaf lettuce will have mostly green leaves with slightly brownish-red tips. Immature leaves in your garden may not yet have the red tips, but you may pick them at any time when they have reached at least the size of a matchbox. The quality, flavor and nutritive qualities are not diminished by picking the lettuce too soon.

2. Check the bottom of the leaves. You want to be sure that they are evenly green, with no dark or brown spots. Brown spots may indicate insect damage or disease. If you find leaves with discoloration in your garden, pick them and discard them. If you find this type of leaf in the grocery store, select a different head of lettuce.

3. Check the stem at the bottom of the head. You should make sure that there is no discoloration here either. The color should be white to light green.

4. Select fresh looking (not wilted) leaves that have no discoloration, holes or spots for the best quality red leaf lettuce.

References

• Selecting red leaf lettuce