Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Grower
Gem lettuce is available year round.
Sweet Gem lettuce, botanical name Lactuca sativa, is an annual plant of the sunflower family, Asteraceae. "Sweet Gem" is a trade name given to the variety of lettuce, Sucrine (French for sugar). It is also sold under the name, Winter Density. Sweet Gem lettuce was developed from Romaine lettuce and a butterhead type lettuce. This hybridization gives Sweet Gem lettuce the qualities of two very different lettuces, yet also independent characteristics unique to its parents.
Sweet Gem lettuces are a compact loose-forming head lettuce with vibrant true green semi-savoyed leaves. Sweet Gem's most appealing qualities are its size and texture. The leaves are petite, almost small enough to eat whole; the outer leaves are crisp with a melting quality, closer to the core, they are ribbed, succulent and incomparably crunchy. The flavor is delicate, subtly sweet and void of any bitterness that its parent, Romaine might carry.
The use of Sweet Gem lettuce should not simply be for a mixed green salad, nor should one necessarily chop the leaves for the the size is just right and the combination of textures in one leaf may get lost otherwise. Let the lettuce's virtues stand out, the texture and its subtle flavors are a perfect canvas for savory and bold companion ingredients and bright, fruity flavors. Sweet Gem lettuces soak up flavors, cut fat, hold sauces, vinaigrettes and juices in their leaves as well as any edible sponge. Pair with citrus, tomatoes, radishes, chiles, cooked eggs, especially fried and soft boiled, cheeses, particularly fresh or aged goat and sheep's milk, champagne and balsamic vinegar and cream-based dressings such as yogurt or buttermilk, dried fruits, apples, pears, melon, roasted chicken, bacon, shellfish, smoked trout, herbs such as basil, cilantro and dill and nuts, especially pistachios, walnuts and pignolas.
The original Sweet Gem lettuce, AKA Buttercos Sucrine is an heirloom lettuce originally cultivated in France. It is primarily grown throughout Western Europe and has been becoming increasingly common in Coastal California. As with most lettuce varieties, Sucrine is a cool season crop that prefers organic, nitrogen-rich loose soil, full sun, warm days and cool nights. It is cold-hardy, thus will tolerate frost and can be over-wintered.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 28...
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sweet Gem Artisan. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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Seasons/Availability
Gem lettuce is available year round.
Current Facts
Sweet Gem lettuce, botanical name Lactuca sativa, is an annual plant of the sunflower family, Asteraceae. "Sweet Gem" is a trade name given to the variety of lettuce, Sucrine (French for sugar). It is also sold under the name, Winter Density. Sweet Gem lettuce was developed from Romaine lettuce and a butterhead type lettuce. This hybridization gives Sweet Gem lettuce the qualities of two very different lettuces, yet also independent characteristics unique to its parents.
Description/Taste
Sweet Gem lettuces are a compact loose-forming head lettuce with vibrant true green semi-savoyed leaves. Sweet Gem's most appealing qualities are its size and texture. The leaves are petite, almost small enough to eat whole; the outer leaves are crisp with a melting quality, closer to the core, they are ribbed, succulent and incomparably crunchy. The flavor is delicate, subtly sweet and void of any bitterness that its parent, Romaine might carry.
Applications
The use of Sweet Gem lettuce should not simply be for a mixed green salad, nor should one necessarily chop the leaves for the the size is just right and the combination of textures in one leaf may get lost otherwise. Let the lettuce's virtues stand out, the texture and its subtle flavors are a perfect canvas for savory and bold companion ingredients and bright, fruity flavors. Sweet Gem lettuces soak up flavors, cut fat, hold sauces, vinaigrettes and juices in their leaves as well as any edible sponge. Pair with citrus, tomatoes, radishes, chiles, cooked eggs, especially fried and soft boiled, cheeses, particularly fresh or aged goat and sheep's milk, champagne and balsamic vinegar and cream-based dressings such as yogurt or buttermilk, dried fruits, apples, pears, melon, roasted chicken, bacon, shellfish, smoked trout, herbs such as basil, cilantro and dill and nuts, especially pistachios, walnuts and pignolas.
Geography/History
The original Sweet Gem lettuce, AKA Buttercos Sucrine is an heirloom lettuce originally cultivated in France. It is primarily grown throughout Western Europe and has been becoming increasingly common in Coastal California. As with most lettuce varieties, Sucrine is a cool season crop that prefers organic, nitrogen-rich loose soil, full sun, warm days and cool nights. It is cold-hardy, thus will tolerate frost and can be over-wintered.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Salad Style | San Diego CA | 619-255-6731 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Sheerwater | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Tuscany | Carlsbad CA | 760-929-8111 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| La Valencia | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Hotel La Jolla & CUSP Dining & Drinks | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Gaijin Noodle & Sake House | San Diego CA | 858-246-7782 |
| Brooklyn Girl | San Diego CA | 619-296-4600 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| The Craftsman New American Tavern | Encinitas CA | 760-415-2380 |
| D Bar SoCal | San Diego CA | 619-632-7644 |
| Solace & the Moonlight Lounge | Encinitas CA | 760-753-2433 |
| Prepkitchen La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-875-7737 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Prepkitchen Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-7737 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Hyatt Islandia | San Diego CA | 619-224-1234 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Roseville Cozinha | San Diego CA | 619-794-2192 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Crush | Solana Beach CA | 858-481-2787 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Hotel La Jolla & Cusp Seafood | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| La Valencia Dry Storage | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Heights Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-302-8178 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-419-8343 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| La Villa | San Diego CA | 619 255 5221 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Cowboy Star | San Diego CA | 619-450-5880 |
| Le Papagayo | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria | Encinitas CA | 760-634-7671 |
| Stingaree | San Diego CA | 619-544-0867 |
| Prepkitchen Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-247-0394 |
| Analog | San Diego CA | 619-233-1183 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Lofty Coffee Co. | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6747 |
| Hotel La Jolla & Cusp Bar | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sweet Gem Artisan. One
is easiest, three is harder.
