Lettuce was a weed; cultivated and matured by Egyptians into a tamed plant that the Romans took and gave it it’s proper name. It’s been around for centuries and provides significant amounts of vitamin A and Potassium and minor amounts several other vitamins (calcium, fiber, vitamin C, and copper). There are seven cultivars of lettuce, and each cultivar and several subspecies of lettuce, making hundreds of types of lettuce. The seven main types are, Leaf, Romaine, Crisphead, Butterhead, Summercrisp, Stem, and Oilseed.
Now here is my question to you… How come the only lettuce we eat is Romaine or Baby Spinach?
In the “Impact Man” movie we watched in class last week, they talked about the benefits of variety in our food, and how by simply switching what types of lettuce we eat, we can improve our health greatly by filling in the vitamins we miss by only eating our favorite vegetable. So why is it we only eat two or three lettuces?
I really do not have the answer to this question, but I am curious why other lettuces, or alternatives like Bok Choy aren’t being promoted in the United States. I mean… with the craze in health awareness you would assume someone would tackle this angle, correct?
I know I would just appreciate it if someone offered me something else besides Iceberg every once in awhile, even if it’s on a burger. Who knows, maybe Crisphead lettuce is better on a Swiss and Mushroom Cheese Burger then Iceberg lettuce or something.
Are Americans to scared to try out new foods? Is it the entrepreneurs? Or is it just the chef’s experience that he know that Crisphead tastes like crap with red meat. Maybe we can’t even get it shipped in because it’s from another country?
What are some suggestions on mixing up our regular vegetables?
By Kevin Herron
You, Me, & Biodiversity 
I really dislike iceberg lettuce, it seems like that’s pretty much the only kind of lettuce people offer. It would be nice to switch it up a bit.
It’s just my opinion, but I think the government has something to do with this too. The inspection the food has to go through in this country is crazy. Some pass without a problem, but some food fail to pass because it has little too much of something. I think Americans are starting to realize good food from the bad. However, the government is stopping the suppliers from delivering the goods to the public.
Or, just like what you said; Americans might be afraid to trying something new. who know? 😀
Changing an ongoing “tradition” is a very difficult thing to do especially here in the united states where someone is either a health nut or doesnt give a crap about their health. As for me, Im so used to the lettuce types offered here I never go out and get different types of lettuce or other foods. Its easier to stick to what I like and already know.
Lettuce to me is just a feel good food. You eat it to make yourself feel good and healthier yet there is not much that benefits that you get from it compared to other vegetables.