Produce Briefs...
Spring Onions
Spring onions are most often utilized raw. The whole onion can be flash blanched and grilled, which brings out more the robust and sweet elements of the onions, and makes them a bolder pair for fish and meats
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Grower
Red Gem lettuce is available year round.
Red Gem lettuce, botanical name Lactuca sativa, is a loose-forming head lettuce type within the Romaine lettuce group. It is an annual plant of the sunflower family, Asteraceae. Red Gem is a loosely used marketing name given to the variety of lettuce, Sucrine (French for sugar). Though Red Gem lettuce's commercial success comes on the heels of petite artisan lettuces achiveing popularity in chefs' kitchens and within the arena of television cooking shows, it should be noted that it is also preferred over green lettuce for its coloring. Studies have proven that red pigmented food plants are chosen by consumers for their visual appeal.
Red gem lettuce forms a compact rosette of semi-savoyed leaves with vibrant bordeaux-red stained coloring against a lime green base. Its brilliant color may be the initial attractor, yet the lettuce's most appealing qualities are its size and texture. The leaves are petite, almost small enough to eat whole; the outer leaves are tender crisp with a melting quality, closer to the core, they are ribbed, succulent and incomparably crunchy. The Red Gem lettuce's flavor is delicate, subtly sweet and void of any bitterness often associated with many red lettuce varieties.
Red Gem lettuce contains a high level of anthocyanins which inherently allows it a raft of health benefits. When consumed in plant form, anthocyanins have substantial anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. They also reduce the risk of diabetes.
Red Gem lettuce's virtues stand out with little to no manipulation. The lettuce's texture and its subtle flavors are a perfect canvas for savory and bold companion ingredients and bright, fruity flavors. Red Gem lettuces soak up flavors, cut fat, hold sauces, vinaigrettes and juices in their leaves like an edible sponge. Let Red Gem lettuce be the principle ingredient within a simple salad alongside ingredients such as shallots, dill, blue cheese, tomatoes, apples, pears, melon, nuts, bacon, basil, mint and dried fruits. The leaves can also be removed from the base and used for color and texture atop burgers and sandwiches as well as in wraps and summer rolls.
The original Red Gem lettuce, Buttercos Sucrine, is an heirloom lettuce originally cultivated in France. It is primarily grown and sold in farmers markets throughout Western Europe and Coastal California within the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Gem Lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Red Gem Lettuce using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Coastal Organics | Homepage |
Seasons/Availability
Red Gem lettuce is available year round.
Current Facts
Red Gem lettuce, botanical name Lactuca sativa, is a loose-forming head lettuce type within the Romaine lettuce group. It is an annual plant of the sunflower family, Asteraceae. Red Gem is a loosely used marketing name given to the variety of lettuce, Sucrine (French for sugar). Though Red Gem lettuce's commercial success comes on the heels of petite artisan lettuces achiveing popularity in chefs' kitchens and within the arena of television cooking shows, it should be noted that it is also preferred over green lettuce for its coloring. Studies have proven that red pigmented food plants are chosen by consumers for their visual appeal.
Description/Taste
Red gem lettuce forms a compact rosette of semi-savoyed leaves with vibrant bordeaux-red stained coloring against a lime green base. Its brilliant color may be the initial attractor, yet the lettuce's most appealing qualities are its size and texture. The leaves are petite, almost small enough to eat whole; the outer leaves are tender crisp with a melting quality, closer to the core, they are ribbed, succulent and incomparably crunchy. The Red Gem lettuce's flavor is delicate, subtly sweet and void of any bitterness often associated with many red lettuce varieties.
Nutritional Value
Red Gem lettuce contains a high level of anthocyanins which inherently allows it a raft of health benefits. When consumed in plant form, anthocyanins have substantial anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. They also reduce the risk of diabetes.
Applications
Red Gem lettuce's virtues stand out with little to no manipulation. The lettuce's texture and its subtle flavors are a perfect canvas for savory and bold companion ingredients and bright, fruity flavors. Red Gem lettuces soak up flavors, cut fat, hold sauces, vinaigrettes and juices in their leaves like an edible sponge. Let Red Gem lettuce be the principle ingredient within a simple salad alongside ingredients such as shallots, dill, blue cheese, tomatoes, apples, pears, melon, nuts, bacon, basil, mint and dried fruits. The leaves can also be removed from the base and used for color and texture atop burgers and sandwiches as well as in wraps and summer rolls.
Geography/History
The original Red Gem lettuce, Buttercos Sucrine, is an heirloom lettuce originally cultivated in France. It is primarily grown and sold in farmers markets throughout Western Europe and Coastal California within the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Gem Lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Everyday Maven |
|
Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps |
| Delicieux |
|
Lettuce, Spring Onion & Cheese Tart |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Red Gem Lettuce using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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oscar Near Doral, Florida, United States About 55 days ago Ocado Yorkshire Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 73 days ago Morrisons Bradford Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 73 days ago Ocado Yorkshire Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 102 days ago |
