FOOD NEWS
Think Twice Before Purchasing That Next Bag of Lettuce
BY LUNA REGINA
The appeal of bagged lettuce is undeniable when making a quick salad. However, those convenient bags of lettuce may not be as fresh and delicious as you might think.
The wounds created when the lettuce leaves are ripped apart causes an increase in polyphenol compounds in the leaves, resulting in browning and a bitter taste.
The wounds also speed up spoilage, slashing the shelf life down to three to five days. Bagged lettuce can also cost three times more than a whole lettuce head the same weight.
Lastly, lettuce is a high-risk veggie when it comes to contamination by bacteria and viruses. Germs can hang out inside the leaves, sneaking into the open wounds.