Lettuce is categorized into six different types, also known as subspecies or botanical varieties. The six types of lettuce are Crisphead (Iceberg and Batavian), Romaine, Butter, Latin, leaf and Stem. All lettuce types except for Iceberg occur in red and green leaf form. Oak leaf lettuce is a type of Butter lettuce. Butter lettuces are known for their compact heads, their quilted leaf texture and their mellow flavor. They are also great short season varieties as well as more heat-tolerant than Crisphead lettuce.

As its name suggests, green oak leaf lettuce has the appearance of oak leaves - linear, lobed and loosely serrated. The leaves form a semi-tight rosette at the base, growing upward and outward. Green oak leaf lettuce has a buttery texture and an incredibly mellow, nutty and sweet flavor, which rarely becomes bitter, even in hotter climates.

Nutritional Value

Oak leaf lettuce is good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and folate.

Serving Ideas

Green oak leaf lettuce is an attractive staple green to have on rotation in the crisper. Structurally, it prefers the companionship of other lettuces and greens for their textural and flavor contrasts. This includes Red Butter, Romaine, Radicchio, Arugula and Frisee. The combined greens serve as an edible vessel to ingredients of varied flavors from rich to bright, earthy, savory and sweet. The more important ingredient combinations are those that happen to be selected for the salad. When choosing salad ingredients, choose ingredients that naturally compliment one another. Pair bright fruits with those ingredients rich in fat, such as avocado and citrus or berries and bacon. Another good rule of thumb is earthy and savory are a perfect marriage, ex. wild mushrooms and shallots or root vegetables with herbs and garlic. The final element is composing a salad based on the season and regionally availability.

Geography/History

Oak leaf lettuces was first cultivated in France from what was originally considered a weed found growing wild. There is the very early reference to oak leaf lettuce by Evelyn in Acetaria (1699) that may indicate oak leaf lettuces had arrived in England prior to the 18th Century. Oak leaf lettuce was introduced commercially under the name “feuille de chene” in 1771 by the French seed company Vilmorin.

Seasons/Availability

Baby green oak leaf lettuce is available year round.