Is Purple Lettuce Protected to Eat? A Registered Dietitian’s Reply Would possibly Shock You

One second, your lettuce is an attractive shade of shiny inexperienced. The subsequent, it has developed rusty-red items. When you’ve ever questioned if crimson lettuce is dangerous—or nonetheless okay so as to add to your lunches—you are not alone. And the reply would possibly shock you.

Over 70 billion kilos of meals waste enter landfills yearly. As soon as it will get there, it does not biodegrade. As an alternative, the dearth of oxygen causes meals scraps to sit down there releasing methane, a fuel 30 occasions extra highly effective than carbon dioxide. Due to that, now we have to do all the things we will to make our groceries final so long as potential.

Studying how one can hold lettuce contemporary is a good place to begin (take a look at our information right here!), nevertheless it’s additionally essential to know whether or not a meals is definitely dangerous… or simply appears to be like a bit of unappetizing. Beginning with lettuce that is turned a shade of crimson.

Why Does Lettuce Flip Purple?

Whether or not you purchase your lettuce pre-washed and bagged or seize it proper from the produce part, you may need to cope with items which have turned a rusty crimson coloration. However why does that occur?

In response to Laura M. Ali, RD, a culinary nutritionist in Pittsburgh, PA, and creator of Thoughts Weight loss program For Two, it turns crimson attributable to oxidation.

“You’ll see this most frequently with iceberg or romaine lettuce,” she says. “When you use a knife to chop the lettuce as an alternative of tearing it, this could additionally occur.”

This is why: When the lettuce is lower or broken, oxygen enters its cell partitions. When this occurs, an enzyme is launched, ensuing within the lettuce turning a crimson coloration. Lettuce also can flip crimson when it is uncovered to ethylene fuel—usually from storing it alongside fruits and veggies that emit ethylene as they ripen.

Is Purple Lettuce Dangerous? Or Is It Nonetheless Protected to Eat?

Some lettuce is of course crimson or maroon-colored. Nevertheless, if you see that your romaine or iceberg lettuce is beginning to flip a lightweight rusty-red coloration, do not toss it out. Although it is a bit of ugly, Ali assures us it is nonetheless suitable for eating: “Purple areas or spots on the lettuce are wonderful,” she says. “You’ll be able to actually lower the crimson half off.”

So, crimson lettuce is okay to eat—that is nice information on your pockets and the planet! However how have you learnt when your lettuce is definitely dangerous? Ali says to be looking out for black spots, slime, or an disagreeable odor.

“Lettuce ought to be crisp and agency. If it snaps if you break or lower it, it’s contemporary and good to go—even when it has some crimson areas,” Ali says. “In case your lettuce has black spots, is slimy, or smells dangerous, it’s previous its prime and ought to be tossed.”

Any lettuce that goes dangerous might be added to your countertop compost bin to cut back the quantity of waste being despatched to landfills.

Can I Prolong the Lifetime of My Lettuce?

When you’re trying to hold your lettuce contemporary for longer, Ali recommends a few storage hacks.

“For complete heads of lettuce, it’s finest to maintain the entire head intact till you are prepared to make use of it,” she says. “Retailer it within the crisper or vegetable drawer in your fridge. Then wash it simply earlier than utilizing it.”