Lettuce tops most people’s shopping lists during the summer months, as it pairs brilliantly with fresh salads and sandwiches when the last thing we fancy is slaving over a hot stove. It’s an affordable way to add a bit of greenery to a picnic or a casual spread, but lettuce has an annoying tendency to wilt just a day after purchasing, simply because most of us aren’t storing it correctly.
What many people don’t realise is that lettuce has an exceptionally high water content and a far thinner protective layer than most other vegetables, leaving it considerably more vulnerable to bacteria. While supermarket packaging helps shield lettuce during transit, it can also trap moisture, and this damp environment accelerates spoilage or can even cause the leaves to turn mouldy.
View 3 ImagesDo not keep lettuce in plastic packaging if you want it to stay fresh(Image: Getty)
If you’re keen to prevent your lettuce from turning into a soggy, rotten mess, cook and Live Simply founder Kristin Marr says keeping leafy greens fresh couldn’t be simpler — all you need is a paper towel.
Kristin explained: “The towel will soak up extra moisture, keeping the greens from getting too wet which causes premature rotting and slimy greens.”
Lettuce remains at its freshest when kept dry, but unfortunately it tends to seep slightly due to its predominantly water-based composition, which is precisely why it deteriorates so rapidly.
Plastic can be handy for protecting lettuce leaves from bruising, but it has a tendency to trap moisture, preventing it from evaporating and instead creating a pool of dampness that encourages bacteria and mould spores to develop.
Using a paper towel might sound straightforward, but it works by soaking up any surplus moisture that can seep from the lettuce and maintains the surrounding air as dry as possible.
View 3 ImagesPaper towel is a cheap yet very effective way to make lettuce last longer(Image: Getty)
Keeping lettuce with a kitchen towel is amongst the most successful methods to stop mould developing, slimy patches appearing and leaves turning brown or wilting, as it helps preserve freshness for up to a week or two longer.
It takes under five minutes to store lettuce correctly, and it’s well worth attempting if you’re looking to reduce food waste and cut costs on your weekly shop.
Simply pull apart the leaves from a lettuce head and pop them in a container. Vegetables tend to remain fresh for longer in glass containers, though plastic containers or sandwich bags will do the job equally well.
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Next, place a paper towel around the lettuce leaves and another on top to soak up surplus moisture. It’s advisable not to use a tightly sealed lid, as some airflow will help any water evaporate more rapidly, while sandwich bags should be loosely sealed.
Keep the lettuce in the fridge and it should remain crisp for at least a week, though it can typically last considerably longer. If you’re storing a prepared salad, keep ingredients such as tomatoes and cucumbers separate, as they release moisture that can cause the lettuce to deteriorate more quickly.