Iceberg lettuce
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Iceberg lettuce is a beloved crisp and refreshing leafy green, a staple for salads, sandwiches, and wraps due to its mild flavor and satisfying crunch. Mastering its proper storage is essential to preserve its signature texture and extend its shelf life, ensuring you enjoy its hydrating qualities and versatility in your culinary creations for as long as possible.
Storage Time
Whole heads of Iceberg lettuce can last for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator when stored correctly. Once the head is cut or individual leaves are separated, its shelf life significantly decreases to approximately 3 to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended for maintaining its desirable crisp texture.
Temperature
Keep Iceberg lettuce consistently refrigerated at a cool temperature, ideally between 0–4°C (32–40°F), to best preserve its freshness, prevent wilting, and inhibit spoilage.
Signs of Spoilage
- The appearance of brown, rusty, or discolored spots on the outer leaves or along the cut edges, indicating oxidation and the beginning of decay.
- A slimy, sticky, or excessively watery texture, particularly on the inner leaves, which is a clear sign of bacterial growth and advanced spoilage.
- A strong, unpleasant, sour, or fishy odor that is distinctly different from its natural fresh, mild scent, signaling microbial activity.
- Significant wilting, limpness, or a complete loss of its characteristic crispness throughout the head, indicating dehydration and loss of freshness.
