Also known as
Cos lettuce

What is romaine lettuce, cos lettuce?

Romaine lettuce is a variety of lettuce which grows in a long head of sturdy leaves with a firm rib down the center. It is so called because it is said to have originated on the Greek island of Cos (Kos). Unlike most lettuces, it is tolerant of heat. It is a cultivar of the common lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and is distinguished by an elongated head; dark green, long, narrow, crisp, stiff leaves and a coarse texture, with a distinctive rib almost to the tip of the leaf.

The thick ribs, especially on the older outer leaves, should have a milky fluid which gives the romaine the typically fine-bitter herb taste. In commercial terms, romaine is the second most important type of lettuce, iceberg lettuce being the first. The interior leaves are paler in color, and more delicate in flavor. There is also a milder tasting variety with red tipped leaves and, a sweet romaine, which is even sweeter than regular romaine.

Chopped romaine lettuce

Start by cleaning and washing romaine lettuce by removing and discarding any damaged or wilting outside leaves. Cut the bottom off of the head of romaine lettuce and place on a chopping board and chop approximately 1 inch up the stalk and discard the bottom. Wash the lettuce well and separate the lettuce leaves and lay them in small stacks of three to five leaves that are close in size. Chop your leaves crosswise starting at the top of the leaves and working your way down and cut into sizedepending on the size of pieces you want.

Shredded romaine lettuce

Wash the loose leaves of romaine lettuce well by running it under water. The leaves can be shredded coarsely in a shredded or manually, using a sharp knife. Cut the greens in thin slices and then break up the pieces in shreds using fingers. Shredded lettuce cane be then used as required.

How to select romaine lettuce, cos lettuce

Avoid heads with any signs of rust; avoid oversized butts; avoid older plants with large, strong milky ribs. Choose heads that are cut close to leaf stems and are free from decay and browning.

Culinary Uses of romaine lettuce, cos lettuce

· The primary use of cos lettuce is in the salads, especially the Caesar salad.
· Use lightly steamed, cooled and chopped lettuce as a filling in the sushi vegetable rolls.
· Healthy sauté torn cos lettuce with tofu, garlic and crushed chili peppers for a meal that will definitely add spice and health to your life.

How to store romaine lettuce, cos lettuce

Store cos lettuce as for any other lettuce. The ideal temperature should be 33º - 35ºF. Do not allow the temperature to go below 32ºF., as this will damage the leaves. Be sure to keep box tops closed. The waxed cardboard helps keep in the moisture. At home, store the unwashed, whole heads in plastic bags to retain natural moisture, and keep crisper. Uncut, whole heads of lettuce retain nutrients best. Surface water from washing encourages bacterial growth. Romaine will keep for 7 to 10 days this way. Keep away from apples, as ethylene gas they give off will turn the cos lettuce brown.

Nutritive Information for romaine lettuce, cos lettuce:
½ Cup of chopped romaine lettuce is about 50 grams
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 9 calories
Protein – 0.6 g
Carbohydrate – 1.5 g
Fat – 0.1 g
Fiber – 1.1 g

Vitamins:
0.5 mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) = 31.5% of RDA ( (about 1.2 to 1.6 mg for men)
0.5 mg of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) = 26.3% of RDA (about 1.4 to 1.9 mg for men)
0.2 mg of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) = 1.6 % of RDA (about 12 mg)
12 mg of Vitamin C = 30% of RDA (about 40 mg)
72 mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) = 72% of RDA (about 100 mcg)
1437 mcg of Vitamin A = 29.9% of RDA (about 4800 mcg)

Minerals:
16.5 mg of Calcium = 1.65% of RDA (about 1000 mg)
0.5 mg of Iron = 2.5% of RDA (about 20 mg)
7 mg of Magnesium = 2% of RDA (about 350 mg)
15 mg of Phosphorus = 2.5% of RDA (about 600 mg)
123 mg of Potassium = 2.6% of RDA (about 4700 g)

Health benefits of romaine lettuce, cos lettuce

· Like all lettuces romaine has a vary high water content and very few calories (about 10 calories per cup).
· Generally, the darker the green, the more vitamins and minerals (beta-carotene, calcium and iron, etc.) So it should be no surprise that romaine is the most nutritious of all lettuces.
· Romaine is an excellent source of vitamin C, more than 5 times that of iceberg lettuce).
· Cos Lettuce is high in Vitamin A and Lutein - Lutein is an antioxidant that may help to protect against degenerative eye conditions.

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