I like produce. I like to grow it. I like to eat it. I like to create recipes with it. I’m also kind of a nerd and like to get to know my produce. I like learning new or fun tidbits of info about the produce I’m growing/eating/baking. If you’re a weirdo like me then buckle up for this new series as I dive into a plethora of produce facts and share them with you. Here we go:
1. Lettuce shouldn’t be stored near apples, bananas, or any other ethylene-emitting fruits. Ethylene causes lettuce to ripen super fast and start to decay rapidly!
2. Lettuce is the second most popular fresh veggie in the US, behind only the potato! {And yes, potatoes are botanically classified as veggies, even though they are classified nutritionally as a starch.}
3. The average American eats about 30lbs of lettuce a year! That’s a whole lotta salads!
4. About 70% of the lettuce grown in the US comes from California {except from November through March when 90% of the nation’s lettuce come from Yuma, Arizona} and about 75% of all lettuce grown in the US is iceberg lettuce. Outside of the US, China is the world’s largest producer of lettuce, with almost half of the lettuce being consumed today grown by the Chinese.
5. Because lettuce is about 95% water, it has to be eaten fresh and cannot be frozen, dried, pickled or canned.
6. There are hieroglyphic records of lettuce being grown over 6000 years ago. Wowza!
7. Christopher Columbus was the person who actually introduced lettuce to America during his second voyage to the New World in 1494.
8. Dark green lettuce leaves are more nutritious than light green leaves.
9. Calling lettuce “rabbit food” dates back to the 1930s.
10. Many ancient Greeks believed that lettuce made you sleepy so they served it at the end of the meal. However, the super mean Roman Emperor, Domitian, served it at the beginning of his feasts to try to torture his guests by forcing them to stay awake in his presence.
Had you heard any of those fun facts before? Do you have any of your own to add? Is there a particular produce item you want to know more about? I take requests!
Grow on,
~ Mavis
Kelly Griffith says
I’ve really enjoyed following your blog for the last 5-6 years and am so happy you’re able to do what you love and you’re exceptional at it.
I may have missed a post, but was wondering if in 2019 you’re still planning on doing your daily deals that you advertise?
Nancy D says
HI Kelly….check out Mavis’ January 1st post for more info
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Kelly, for the time being I am only posting deals on Saturdays unless something extraordinary comes up. I wrote about it here: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/my-22-goals-for-2019/
Cathrin says
Love your blog I keep learning all kinds of things but if you know anything about parsnips I would love to know? Have a great day
Teresa says
Did you know lettuce is in the sunflower family? Along with artichokes and chamomile.
bobbi says
When I was in Switzerland, they ate their salads at the end of the meal. 🙂
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
I love fact #10 🙂 And most of the world eats it last. A Hawaiian friend of mine explained that the fiber helps your other food “along”… I figure it all just gets mushed in together…
I LOVE lettuce, but have had no luck growing it here, it bolts in the summer… I’ve thought about growing it in winter and shoulder seasons, but then I forget… I do have some shady areas, but not a lot, really. Just up against the house, which still gets morning sun.
Keep on keeping on Mavis! Whatever you’re doing, it’s working 🙂
Michele Palmer says
I just read this list to my 10 year old and she loved it. She said she would like to request a 10 Fun Facts on Apples entry.
Love your blog Mavis!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Done!!! –> https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/10-fun-facts-about-apples/
Jasmine says
i love your fact they help