# Iceberg lettuce - what the heck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [February 22, 2022, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906 "2022-02-22T03:37:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/41 "2022-02-23T15:27:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > As someone who prefers to eat salads with chopsticks, I agree. To think - I used to respect your opinions… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/42 "2022-02-23T15:33:04Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I do like Romaine, love Boston Butter, and the looseleaf colored Ruby [and perhaps other names] and homegrown baby **spinach** I frequently make salads for me only. I like romaine lettuce, but prefer fresh spinach. It is much healthier than lettuce. I’m not sure why spinach isn’t used more often. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/43 "2022-02-23T15:34:33Z")
Recent disease outbreaks involving Listeria and E. coli 0157:H7 have tended to involve Romaine lettuce and packaged mixed lettuce types/greens, not iceberg head lettuce. 'We’ve actually got some current research going on here that suggests, of all the different lettuce types, E. coli O157 likes romaine lettuce," Warriner says, “especially if it is breaking out of its dormant state. So there is an association with leafy greens and E. coli O157. People suggest it’s a pathogen-vegetable interaction going on, where they’re actually adapted to living on lettuce.” > **[Here's why lettuce keeps getting contaminated with E. coli | CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/lettuce-e-coli-contamination-1.4913956)** > > The Public Health Agency of Canada is once again telling Canadians not to eat romaine lettuce in Ontario and Quebec, and now New Brunswick. Health officials in the U.S. and believe the outbreak can be traced back to California. You might think that tight iceberg lettuce heads would have a center free from bacterial contamination, but people still slice through the potentially contaminated outer leaves to get to the heart of the lettuce, so bacteria could be spread that way. I avoid any pre-cut packaged salad greens. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/44 "2022-02-23T19:03:21Z")
> [@dummygladhands71](#): > > in fact I have a lovely fresh head of cabbage in the fridge waiting to fry up with tomorrow’s pork chops. So what time is dinner and can I bring the beer? > [@carrps](#): > > We always have to buy iceberg lettuce every week. It’s our dog’s favorite snack. My cat likes the green outside leaves, I have a pic of her stealing it from my bowl =) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/45 "2022-02-23T21:28:20Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve taught our bird Rocco to accept food offered by chopsticks (initially he assumed the chopsticks were a chew toy). I use chopsticks for most meals. In comparison forks seem barbaric. As I said, they are so useful. You can even use them for stuff like Cheetos and the like if you don’t want to get your fingers are fluorescent orange and greasy. My two kids, 7 and 5, somehow became proficient with chopsticks and refuse to eat their ramen or stir fry with any other implements. I never taught them; they’re not – in general – culinarily curious, but they took to chopsticks like _insert your preferred comparison here_. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/46 "2022-02-23T21:57:35Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > While we are on the topic, can someone explain freaking wedge salad to me? I was out somewhere and folk were RAVING about the wedge salad. Not knowing any better, I ordered it - and was served a plate w/ a freaking wedge of iceberg on it! WTF?! Thank you for bringing that up. I saw a wedge salad pictured a couple of years ago and wondered how to eat it. The outer layers are going to be covered in excessive amounts of dressing while the inner layers are going to be bare. And do you break it up and toss it right on your plate? It seemed a weird way of having salad. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/47 "2022-02-23T22:00:12Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > It is much healthier than lettuce. I’m not sure why spinach isn’t used more often. I know it’s healthier, but raw spinach has an unpleasant texture when I eat it. I prefer spinach at least slightly wilted. And it’s a pain in the butt to get completely cleaned. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And do you break it up and toss it right on your plate? It seemed a weird way of having salad. I eat it with a knife and fork. Some salads (non-chopped) have pieces that are too big for me to eat in one bite, so it’s not too off-normal for me. I like a good wedge salad. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/48 "2022-02-23T22:19:38Z")
But isn’t some of the lettuce drowning in dressing while other bits are bare? ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/49 "2022-02-23T22:27:13Z")
You have to adjust as you’re eating. It’s definitely not something you eat at a buffet. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/50 "2022-02-23T22:29:09Z")
I found it a weird experience. Sure, you might occasionally feel like halving a tomato slice or something, but sawing away at a big wedge of iceberg is something I’d more comfortably do prepping a meal on the kitchen counter next to the sink, as opposed to at the table in a fancy restaurant. And then, you either cut each bite - and then mess it around in the dressing/toppings, or shred the whole thing and essentially toss it. So how is that any better/different than a simple tossed salad? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/51 "2022-02-23T22:29:15Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > While we are on the topic, can someone explain freaking wedge salad to me? I’ve had it once and I was deeply disappointed. In a steak house - steak, chips, peas and apparently a wedge salad. I would just prefer a nice tomato with steak and chips, but nope, the only side option was wedge salad. Everything was very good, except the wedge salad, which ended up seeming like it had too much dressing on the outer part, and not enough on the inner part It must be very, very cheap and easy to prepare, so we have to be persuaded that it’s what we desire. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/52 "2022-02-23T22:33:55Z")
That’s what I was wondering. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/53 "2022-02-23T22:36:45Z")
Yes. That’s part of it. It all mixes in your mouth. Basically, take a vertical slice, and you have a layer of blue cheese dressing, bacon, and some tomato, and a big layer of iceberg that so satisfyingly crunches leaf by leaf under your teeth as you chew. The mouthfeel is part of the enjoyment, at least for me, of a wedge salad. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/54 "2022-02-23T22:43:22Z")
Agreed. I don’t find it difficult to eat at all. I actually like that it forces me to eat more slowly. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/55 "2022-02-23T23:36:30Z")
> [@dummygladhands71](#): > > found 4 lovely heads of iceberg at the local Hispanic grocery. Lovely green salad, no hard bitter white leaves. Cheaper too! Better and cheaper is often what I find at the Asian markets too, especially for Asian cooking greens. It pays to shop around. Glad you found some of the good stuff. I’m beginning to crave salads now, a sure sign of spring to me. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/56 "2022-02-23T23:37:32Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > very, very cheap and easy to prepare Bingo. It’s just a freaking presentation fad. Geometric food. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/57 "2022-02-24T00:06:27Z")
Fad? If so, it’s a very old one. I associate wedge salads with old timey steakhouses. Some quick research shows the first printed recipe for it going back to 1916. It’s stuff my grandfather would have eaten. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/58 "2022-02-24T00:09:22Z")
What goes around, comes around. Food fads are like the width of pants legs. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/59 "2022-02-24T00:10:25Z")
I never felt they really went away, it’s just that you find them in more hip places now as well as the classic steakhouse. (And for good reason. They are awesome and it’s little to do with geometry. Im also glad folks have been starting to stand up for iceberg, as well.) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906/60 "2022-02-24T04:35:44Z")
Wedge salads are great uses of crunchy water. Not as compatible with chopsticks unless you have a hinged jaw, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceberg-lettuce-what-the-heck/959906.md?page=4)