Discover the best Types of Red Lettuce in this post and include them in your diet for more crunch, color, taste, and benefits.
If you love growing lettuce in your garden and want to experiment, then also try your hand with red lettuce varieties. Beyond its rich hue tha gives color to salads and wraps, red lettuce grows fast and offers nutritional content compared to its green counterparts. While opting for iceberg or green leaf lettuce is common, experimenting with color can be refreshing. Check the best Types of Red Leaf Lettuce.
Types of Red Lettuce Varieties
1. Red Sails
Red Sails is a popular type of red leaf lettuce. It was developed in 1985. It doesn’t bolt easily, can handle cold weather, keeps its tasty flavor without being bitter, and grows big, frilly heads.
2. Galactic
Galactic lettuce boasts a burgundy hue with glossy, broad leaves and a hint of green at the base. As an open-pollinated type, it’s commonly grown for baby leaf production. Plus, it’s resistant to downy mildew, making it a reliable choice for growers.
3. Ruby Gem Lettuce
Ruby Gem lettuce creates attractive rosettes with green centers. Growing up to 10 inches (25 cm) wide, this type of red-leaf lettuce is ideal for containers and window boxes. It’s also resistant to bolting, making it thrive even in the hot summer months.
4. Merlot
Merlot lettuce is popular as the darkest among red lettuces. It features crisp, wavy leaves. It boasts resistance to bolting and excellent cold tolerance. It is an ideal choice for late fall to winter crops that offer the option of being cut or harvested for a continuous supply.
5. Red Deer Tongue
Red Deer Tongue not only has a fabulous name but is an heirloom variety that forms loose heads with long leaves. It is quick to bolt, so grow it in the spring or fall only.
6. Red Apache Lettuce
The “Apache” lettuce (Lactuca sativa) glossy dark red leaves arranged in large, loose rosettes. It has broad, slightly oval leaves that feature frizzed edges.
7. New Red Fire Lettuce
This red lettuce variety produces loose-leaf heads that are bolt-resistant. It gives a crisp and sweet flavor, which is perfect for gourmet restaurants.
8. Dark Red Lollo Rossa
Lollo Rossa offers heavily frilled green leaves with red edges. It grows slowly and is compact.
9. French Red Leaf Lettuce Redina
This disease-resistant, highly ornamental rosettes with frilly dark red leaves with concealed emerald hearts.
FAQs
Q. Is red leaf lettuce perennial?
Red leaf lettuce, a cool weather annual, flourishes in temperatures ranging from 60-70°F (16-21°C). Certain varieties allow for a cut-and-come harvest, while others can be replanted in the fall to prolong the harvest season.
Q. Does red leaf taste different from green ones?
Both varieties offer a similar flavor profile: semi-sweet with subtle nutty undertones. However, as red leaf lettuce matures, its taste tends to lean more towards bitterness, described as a combination of slight sweetness and bitterness, with hints of hazelnut.
Q. Which is the tastiest red lettuce?
Your preference for the best-tasting lettuce is a personal choice. You might find yourself drawn to cos or romaine lettuce because of its sturdy texture and satisfying crunch. It’s worth noting that there’s also a red romaine lettuce variety available.
Both green and red leaf lettuces offer similar flavor profiles: a gentle sweetness with a hint of nuttiness. Red leaf lettuce stands out with its delicate, ruffled appearance, adding an aesthetic appeal to your dishes. However, it lacks the firmness and crunchiness typically associated with romaine or iceberg lettuce. As it matures, you may notice its aroma shifting from sweet to mildly bitter, reflecting its taste. Keep in mind that red leaf lettuce tends to have a shorter shelf life compared to its green counterparts.
Q. Does red lettuce offer health benefits?
Both green and red lettuce are nutrient-rich and low in calories. The red variety derives its color from the pigment anthocyanin, known for its purported anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies even suggest potential benefits for cardiovascular health, obesity, and diabetes.
However, when it comes to overall nutritional value, green lettuce beats red. It boasts higher levels of vitamins A and K, fiber, and various micronutrients. Nevertheless, both types of lettuce serve as excellent additions to a balanced diet.