Little Gem lettuce looks like small-size romaine. Although it is full grown, this specialty romaine variety is about half the size of regular romaine boasting succulent, vibrant green leaves that measure about five inches in length and about three inches in width.
Little Gem Lettuce is an English heirloom romaine lettuce cultivar. It is a “cross” between romaine and butterhead lettuce types. The alternative names for Little Gem are Sugar Cos or Sucrine which is French for sugar. This lettuce variety is sometimes sold as “hearts” with the outer leaves removed for convenience.
Baby cos lettuce is smaller and sweeter. Baby cos lettuce hearts are also known as Little Gems. Shred and toss with dill, shallots, lemon and toasted pine nuts. Toss torn leaves with crispy bacon, hard-boiled egg, croutons and caesar dressing.
Little Gem, also known as Sucrine, is an excellent heirloom baby Romaine imported from England. Enjoy this succulent lettuce at 5" to 7" tall when its sugary flavor and crunchy texture are second to none. Harvest just above ground level using a knife; it may produce more Little Gems!
How to use little gem lettuce. Cut the leaves in half and put them whole or roughly chopped into a green salad if you're wanting raw food. Otherwise it's a good idea to put little gem lettuce on the grill or in the frying pan.
Rinse your gem lettuce under cold running water, then cut off the end and remove any damaged or wilted leaves.
Little Gem lettuce is a cross between romaine and butter lettuce—creating a luscious, buttery, and crisp green. Like romaine, this green is packed with vitamins A, C, K, and folate, as well as minerals phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
“Romaine can have a little astringency, but with Little Gem, you don't get that,” he says. “It's sweet and grassy to me.” Laurence Jossel, chef and owner of San Francisco's Nopa, says the variety balances well with a vinaigrette.
In hot, dry weather, lettuces can start flowering (bolting) before they reach maturity, which turns the leaves bitter. So keep them well watered, mulch the soil and sow in light shade in summer.
So, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types) and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene and lutein.
Valued for its crunchy texture and mild flavour, the versatile iceberg lettuce is the number one lettuce sold in Australia.
Romaine. Romaine ranked among the top 10 "powerhouse foods," by the CDC, which are classified based on their associations with reduced risk for chronic diseases. It's an especially great source of vitamin A — one cup has 81% of your daily intake — as well as some B vitamins.
Little Gem lettuce, botanical name Lactuca sativa, is an annual plant of the sunflower family, Asteraceae, also called Sucrine (French for sugar), or Sugar Cos.
There are many different types, including: Butterhead, Crisphead, Cos, Loose Leaf and Batavian. They come in a range of colours, from blonde through shades of green, speckled, and reds to purples. Leaf shape can be round, wavy or serrated.
Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead lettuce, has pale green leaves and grows in cabbage-like bulbs. It grows best in cool climates and requires a long winter season to grow fully. Lettuce and other leafy greens make up an important part of a healthy diet.
Little Gems can be eaten whole, sliced, fresh, grilled or even pan-fried. Little Gem leaves are the perfect size and firmness to use to scoop guacamole, hummus, poke or chicken salad.
Separate the leaves by hand or slice off the root of the lettuce head. Place the leaves in the sink and swirl the water with your hand. Soak the leaves for about 10 minutes, giving them a good swirl every few minutes. The dirt and grit will sink to the bottom of the basin.
Romaine. If you've ever had a Caesar salad, you've had romaine, also known as cos lettuce. With a long, upright head of crisp, pale green leaves sporting crunchy midribs, romaine—particularly the lighter leaves toward the center (the heart)—is more flavorful than some other varieties.
Butter lettuces, like Bibb and Boston, may wilt quickly, but heartier greens like arugula, watercress, baby spinach, and baby kale tend to stay fresh longer. They're also super versatile: use them as the base for salads and grain bowls, and when they start to turn, cook them down for soups, frittatas, and more.
Butterhead. Generally grown to full-size heads, butterhead lettuce has a beautiful ruffled appearance, with a blanched heart and a delicate, sweet, and buttery flavor.
The Healthiest Lettuce Options
Romaine Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is a popular choice for weight loss due to its high fiber content and low calorie count. It is also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. Spinach: While technically not a lettuce, spinach is a nutrient powerhouse that can aid in weight loss.
Nutritionally speaking, romaine is deemed superior to iceberg. Romaine is packed with nutrients, including vitamins A and C, and good amounts of folic acid and magnesium. The darker green leafy parts provide more nutritional value than the white crunchy centers, but all of it provides fiber in a healthy diet.
Other lipid-soluble antioxidants (lutein and vitamin E) may also improve the plasma antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Lettuce consumption increases the total cholesterol end-products excretion and improves antioxidant status due to the richness in antioxidants (vitamins C, E and carotenoids).