Iceberg lettuce got its name from the California growers that shipped it covered with crushed ice across the country in the 1920s. Before that, it was usually referred to as Crisphead lettuce.
Fresh Express founder, Bruce Church, is responsible for popularizing the idea of shipping ice-covered lettuce across the country from Salinas, California to destinations on the East Coast.
When the trains filled with ice-covered lettuce would arrive on the east coast, people would yell out, “The icebergs are coming, the icebergs are coming,” and the name has stuck around ever since.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Lettuce is pretty much immune to any form of preservation. You can’t can, freeze, or pickle it.
- The ancient Greeks believed that lettuce induced sleep so they served it at the end of their evening meal.
- The darker green the lettuce, the more nutrients, and antioxidants it has.
INTERESTING VIDEO
INTERESTING REFERENCES
- FreshExpress.com – Our History
- AndyBoy.com – ICEBERG LETTUCE
- KitchenProject.com – The History of Iceberg Lettuce
I never knew there was different types of lettuce.
I guess we need to know now know why it was called crisphead lettuce. LOL
The video shows you how to “cut” lettuce. I was taught you never cut lettuce, you pull it apart. And toget the white thick core out,you firmly knock the lettuce onto your counter top and the whole thing comes out.
Also the trend today to serve your “ salad” on a plate with dressing on the side is a waste of a good salad. Salad must be tossed in a bowl for evenly coated leaves.
Interesting. This is news to me. 😉