There was a time not so long ago, when iceberg lettuce graced everyone’s tables. Now with an alphabet of leafy greens to choose from – arugula to watercress, lettuce is still the most popular salad green but now we’ve so many choices. What does your lettuce choice reveal about your personality?
There are four basic lettuce categories, five if you count the lesser known, Summer Crisp lettuce:
- Crisphead – iceberg
- Butterhead – Boston & Bibb
- Romaine/Cos
- Leaf/Loose leaf lettuce
- Summer Crisp/French crisp/Batvian.
As well as a plethora of hybrids. Apart from summer crisp, lettuce does best in spring & early summer, then again in the fall. The intense summer heat makes lettuce ‘bolt’ – turn to seed & become bitter. Of the four most common lettuce varieties which is your favorite?
LETTUCE VARIETIES
ICEBERG – Having little nutritionally value iceberg does have a nice crunch & can be found everywhere. Always good in a 70’s salad or a shrimp cocktail. Perfect for lettuce ‘cups’ for Asian-inspired salads. And of course the Chinese classic – sang choy bau. If you love iceberg you’re loyal & dependable – always there for others. Not always accepting of others who aren’t so mainstream, you have a tendency towards jealousy. You often long to fit in. Remember, not everyone has to like you. Not being part of the in-crowd can actually make you cool so don’t go changing. Be careful of becoming lazy & procrastinating.
BOSTON/BIBB/BUTTERHEAD – Perfect on sandwiches & for lettuce wraps & cups. This lettuce lover doesn’t need to be splashy & loud, they get on with things. Elegant & quietly confident they do have a bit of a fragile ego although they rarely let people see this. They like to get their own way, they expect it. They make a good friend as long as things are going according to their plan. They pride themselves on maintaining their cool even when they’re seething. Often artistic souls, they don’t like to be reined-in or told what to do. Smart & secure, just let them get where they’re going on their own.
ROMAINE/COS – Desired for its texture, romaine makes a welcome crunch in any salad, not just Caesar & has a higher nutritional value than iceberg. Romaine lovers are down to earth, realistic souls who are loyal & steadfast. Defensive about almost everything though, they take things personally. They anger quickly but generally bounce back & forgive just as fast. They think everyone else should do the same. Romaine lovers think they’re always right making them a annoyingly bombastic. Lacking compassion, they’re not the best people to talk to in an emotional crisis. This also means they’ll keep their cool in a crisis. Not ones to display much emotion or affection. They tell people they’re laid back which isn’t exactly true. They need to work on their communication but make lively friends & partners.
GREEN LEAF – This lettuce has no head or heart & is the go-to lettuce for chefs & food stylists. *Yawn*. Green leaf lettuce can be a little dullsville. Green leaf people can be fun & lively though. That is when they’re not sulking. A bit high maintenance, needy & insecure, leaf lettuce people like things to be just so. And look out the person who doesn’t do things their way. Leaf lettuce people need to realize there are other ways to arrive at the same destination. If only they’d loosen up & stop worrying so much, life would be so much brighter. For themselves & those around them.
THE DARKER LEAF VARIETIES
DARK LEAF LETTUCE VARIETIES Red Leaf, Red Oak Leaf, Romaine & Butterhead. Their dark color means they’re going to contain more nutrients. And they look good in any salad. Lovers of the darker lettuce varieties are bossy, overbearing & (overly) protective but are fiercely loyal. They play their cards close to their chest, rarely confiding in people. Often hardworking & intelligent, they often use sarcasm as a form of humor. Because of their loyalty they make solid, life-long friends. Not particularly daring, they will, somewhat hesitantly, stick their toe in the waters of adventure from time to time.
SPRING MIX – A mix of baby lettuce, baby greens & radicchio, spring mix doesn’t fit into any of the lettuce groups but it warrants a mention. The spring mix makes the perfect base for most salads although it tends to bruise easily, so be gentle with the salad spinner. Spring mix people are generally well balanced & positive. When their balance is off they find it difficult to focus & can get quite glum though they work hard to shake it off. Lively & optimistic they make good conversationalists. They’re straightforward – something many people find hard to take. They love beauty & are very influenced by their surroundings so they like peace, tranquility, organization & beauty. They have a flair for the dramatic, can lack direction & can be overly sensitive. But they’re compassionate. Often changing their minds to the annoyance of others, once they decide to do something they attack it with a fierce determination.
NON-LETTUCE LOVERS – These people are the immature ones. Everyone loves to hang out with them until it’s time to adult. Then people become frustrated with them because they lack maturity & a sense of responsibility. Non lettuce lovers tell you you’re their best friend but it’s more the friend of the moment. They have a lot of growing up to do. If only they would, life would be rosy, instead they’ll bumble on through life.
So which lettuce personality are you?
Until next time,
Cheers,
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