Iceberg lettuce is one of six types of lettuce in the Lactuca sativa family. 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. These lettuce cultivars include Bay View, Beacon, Coyote, Crusader, Hallmark and Laguna Fresca to name but a few. Iceberg lettuce that is developed for supermarket standards is packed in the field into cartons and then immediately oxygen deprived and vacuum cooled in cold rooms to remove field heat. This eliminates the opportunity for the lettuce to quickly breakdown. For certain, iceberg lettuce was developed for the long haul. It can be shipped globally and command a shelf life of three to four weeks.

What iceberg lettuce may lack in overt flavor, it makes up for in its texture and crunchiness. Its tightly bound and broadly shaped leaves are thick-walled and concentrated with more water than virtually any other green. Iceberg lettuce varies in color depending on each particular cultivar, where and how it was grown. Outer leaves range in color from sea green to lime green while inner leaves range from pale yellow to a translucent white. All the leaves form a nearly perfect globular head.

Nutritional Value

Iceberg lettuce is not as nutritionally dense as darker greens; it is a good source of potassium, iron, calcium, fiber and Vitamin K.

Serving Ideas

The classic use of iceberg lettuce is a cold wedge salad with Roquefort or Blue Cheese dressings. Iceberg lettuce is ubiquitously cut into wedges and can simply be graced by blue cheese dressing and bacon to become a satisfying and economically frugal first course. Other simple companion accoutrements include herbs such as basil and flat leaf parsley, tomatoes, shallots, hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken and a classic vinaigrette of olive oil, dried herbs and cider vinegar.

Geography/History

Iceberg lettuce was developed from the French Crisphead lettuce, Batavia, by W. Atlee Burpee & Co. in 1894. It was originally named for its ice white color and crunchy texture but its namesake evolved over the next half-century to reflect its method of shipment: buried in ice in Trans Atlantic railroad cars. In the mid-20th Century, iceberg lettuce became a symbol of America's rapidly industrializing agricultural system as it received a technological jolt to increase its value. Whirlpool Corporation developed controlled and modified atmospheres and packaging, giving iceberg lettuce a greater shelf-life and transportational endurance. This technological advance allowed for iceberg lettuce to become perhaps the single most important commercial lettuce world wide. Iceberg lettuce varieties are continually being modified and redeveloped to improve quality and disease resistance.

Seasons/Availability

Iceberg lettuce is available year round.