Description:

the lettuce is an annual composite which has a "head" constituted by a spatula leaves or rounded inserted into a short stem and tightened so as to constitute a "cap" more or less compact.

Origin:

it is native of the East, there are no certainties about its origins, although the going assumption is that it comes from Siberia. This plant was already known to the ancient Egyptians. The ancient Greek physicians believed that lettuce could have a mild sleep-inducing action. The Romans promoted its cultivation throughout the West attributing various therapeutic properties. Cristoforo Colombo brought the lettuce in the Americas.

Flavor:

variable depending on the variety.

Curiosity:

the name derives from the latex that is emitted to the rupture of the ribs or roots tissues. Due to the presence of an allergenic protein (Lac s 1) the lettuce can, although rarely, be the cause of food allergy.

It's good because:

lettuce is rich in water and therefore low in calories: it is one of the less calorie foods we consume. However, it is rich in pro-vitamin A, beta carotene, essential for vision, for the health of skin and tissue, and vitamin B9, necessary for cell growth and, consequently, for the renewal of tissues.