Boston Bibb lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is a butterhead type of lettuce. This distinction explains that each lettuce variety in the butterhead family will form compact rosette shaped heads and large, easily separated leaves that achieve a buttery quality in their texture. Boston Bibb lettuce is known as a limestone lettuce variety, which essentially is lettuce that is successfully cultivated in limestone rich soils.

Boston Bibb lettuce is the benchmark butterhead variety, providing superior texture and flavor. Its broad wavy green outer leaves encompass more tightly bound and yellow tinted inner leaves. Together they form a rosette of leaves that have sweet, nutty and mild flavors paired with textures both buttery and crispy.

Serving Ideas

Boston Bibb lettuce's best virtues are displayed when it is used as the principle salad ingredient as its textures and its subtle flavors are a perfect canvas for savory and bold companion ingredients and bright, fruity flavors. 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

Geography/History

Boston Bibb lettuce is named for its original cultivator, John Bibb. In 1865 he grew his special Bibb lettuce in Kentucky's alkaline soil. This variety, also called limestone, would become the first American gourmet lettuce. Hydroponic Boston lettuce is grown utilizing a super climate controlled greenhouse environment. Nutrients are slow-fed into the plants, free of chemiclas and pesticides. Technology increases yields and drives the consistency of the growth and flavor of the plant.

Seasons/Availability

Boston Bibb lettuce is available year round.