Lettuce and Other Salad Leaves

British. See also Watercress plus imports. The traditional British garden lettuce – butterhead, round or cabbage lettuce – is at last being shouldered out in favour of a wide range of salads, although I retain a lingering affection for its floppy, mild, gently soporific leaves.

The small, tight-hearted Little Gem has an excellent flavour. The almost flavourless, crisp-hearted Iceberg keeps well in the fridge (just take off a slice as required) for a few days. It’s fine in hamburgers and tuna sandwiches, but otherwise a bit relentless. Of other crisp lettuces Cos – particular the sweetest strain, Romaine – has an infinitely superior flavour to Webb’s.