Boston Lettuce

A tender, loose-headed lettuce with soft, cupped leaves and a pale green heart. Leaves are silky and pliant, with a mild, sweet flavor and minimal bitterness; they bruise easily and excel in raw preparations. Commonly used for salads, lettuce cups, and delicate sandwich layers; sold as whole heads or living heads with roots.

Butterhead types trace to Europe and became popular across North America; Boston and Bibb strains were selected in the United States in the 19th century. Grown in open fields and greenhouses, it features in American and European salads and in East Asian lettuce wraps.