Leafy greens can deliver a range of flavors with most being fairly neutral and others delivering deep earthiness (Spinach, Kale) or robust spicy characteristics (Arugula). Flavor is complex and uses all your senses (aroma, taste, texture) and each should be considered when choosing leafy greens. Try exploring with varieties close in flavor or consider blending a variety of leafy greens to balance overall flavor. For example, if you are making a delicate salad featuring neutrally flavored leafy greens (Iceberg, Romaine), you can add more robust flavored leafy greens (Kale, Arugula) to significantly change the overall flavor experience.
Consider the amount of flavor that you’d like your leafy greens to deliver and pair them with a wide variety of ingredients to create new and exciting flavor combinations. Some varieties like romaine and radicchio, can be marinated, grilled or roasted to significantly change their flavor profile. Experiment and have fun!
Popeye wasn’t wrong. Spinach is well known for its impressive nutrient content that will work to help to strengthen you and your immune system. Spinach leaves are sweet and tender when harvested early. Larger, more mature leaves are less tender but will still be sweet and mild. Not technically a lettuce, spinach is a member of the amaranth family and is more closely related to beets and chard. Spinach is very versatile and can be cooked, added to many dishes or eaten raw.
Kale is a member of the cruciferous brassica family along with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. This nutrient-dense, dark leafy green has a slightly bitter or peppery bite when raw. Kale comes in several types from Lacinato to more tender baby kale. Each variety has its own texture, color, and flavor – all are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins A, K and C along with other nutrients like fiber. In fact, kale has 50% more potassium per calorie than a banana.
Green cabbage belongs to the ‘cole crop’ or brassicas family and is closely related to broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Cabbage is normally a dense-leaved head. It is the key ingredient in one of our most iconic salads — coleslaw — but cabbage is so versatile it can also be sauteed, braised, stewed, steamed or even grilled.
The star of Caesar salad and one of the most popular of all lettuces, Romaine is versatile and has a crispy mild, sweet flavor. It is #2 lettuce type in terms of volume consumed in the U.S. and is particularly popular in restaurants. It’s crisp with a mild, sweet flavor.
Known for its mild flavor and firm, crunchy texture, iceberg lettuce is great for salads, shredded in snacks, as a garnish and on sandwiches. Like romaine, green, butter and red leaf lettuces, iceberg is a member of the asteraceae family and is actually related to the daisy. Often thought to be lacking in nutrient content, iceberg is a good source of vitamin K and has folate. It holds up well in storage and can be less expensive than other types of lettuce. It’s also the star of one of the greatest salads of all time – the Wedge.