They’re perfect produce packaging. It’s impossible to imagine one without the other. It’s also impossible to ignore the fun in fact-checking our favorite foods.
Romaine Hearts are the center leaves of Romaine lettuce. Smaller, more yellow, and sweeter, these leaves have a delicious flavor and texture that is perfect for Caesar salads. Look for crisp-looking, un-wilted leaves free of dark spots or cracked ribs.
Caesars love hearts
Julia Child often shared a wonderful story about her first Caesar salad and how she enjoyed it with her family at a Tijuana restaurant.
Her brief and delightful memoir seems to confirm the origins of this classic dish that still centers around pale, slightly sweet hearts of romaine lettuce.
In the nearly 60 years since then, that simple salad has become world-famous and still wows admiring appetites at home dinners and restaurant tables.
The Caesar maintains its classic status by lending itself to irresistible versions of the original. That’s a quality we always admire in food stars.
How are romaine hearts and heads different?
The obvious difference between hearts and heads comes clearly into view when you peel open a head of romaine.
The outer wrapping sports a rich, dark green color while the inner core reflects softer, paler shades.
This contrast may be the source of some nutritional confusion.
The color of romaine’s components doesn’t affect the levels of healthy goodness served up by either hearts or heads. It’s simply the result of California sunshine.
The outer leaves on whole heads enjoy more exposure, and that increases chlorophyll production while the hearts remain a pale shade of green.
Put A Romaine Heart In Water And Watch What Happens
FAQ
Is hearts of romaine lettuce good for you?
Why do they sell romaine hearts?
Can romaine hearts be eaten raw?
How many cups of lettuce are in a romaine heart?
What is the difference between Romaine lettuce and Hearts?
Another difference between romaine lettuce and hearts is their flavor. Romaine lettuce has a crisp texture and a mild flavor, while hearts have a sweeter and more delicate flavor. This difference in flavor is due to the fact that hearts are the inner leaves of a type of lettuce, which tend to be sweeter and more delicate than the outer leaves.
What nutrients are found in romaine lettuce?
Romaine lettuce is a nutritious food due to its high water content and low calorie content. They are a good source of Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Vitamin K and fibers that help with digestion and the proper functioning of the intestine.
Are romaine lettuce hearts edible?
Hearts of romaine lettuce, also known as “cos,” are the inner leaves and buds of the lettuce plant. They’re more compact and, as a result, tend to be a bit sweeter and juicier than the outer leaves. That said, both the hearts and the leaves are entirely edible and can be used in a wide variety of recipes.
What are romaine Hearts?
Romaine hearts are the inner portions of romaine lettuce. There is a strategic harvesting process to produce just the romaine hearts, and that is what I am excited to share with you today! Below, you will see footage of GreenGate Fresh’s romaine heart harvesting operation, straight from Salinas, California.