Product Overview
Lettuce – Iceberg is a widely recognized head lettuce variety valued for its tight, crisp head and mild flavor. It is one of the most commonly used lettuces in retail, food service, and fast-food industries. Due to its long shelf life, durability, and refreshing crunch, iceberg lettuce remains a staple commodity in wholesale leafy vegetable trade.
Key Characteristics
Iceberg lettuce forms a dense, round head composed of tightly packed pale green leaves with a high water content. The texture is very crisp and crunchy with a mild, neutral flavor. Compared to leaf lettuces, iceberg is more durable and has a longer storage life, making it ideal for large-scale distribution.
Common Applications
• Fresh salads and wedge salads
• Burger and sandwich toppings
• Shredded lettuce mixes
• Wraps and tacos
• Food service and quick-service restaurants
• Ready-to-eat salad processing
Seasonality and Origin
Peak Season: Available year-round
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region (origin), widely grown in USA, Mexico, and Spain
Preferred Temperature: 0°C to 2°C
Storage and Handling
Iceberg lettuce requires strict cold storage to maintain crispness and prevent browning.
• Recommended storage temperature: 0°C to 2°C
• Relative humidity: 95–100%
• Shelf life of 2–3 weeks under optimal refrigeration
• Highly sensitive to ethylene exposure
• Store in well-ventilated cold rooms
• Avoid rough handling to prevent internal bruising
Origin and Background
Iceberg lettuce was developed for improved shipping durability and became widely popular in the 20th century with the growth of commercial salad markets. Its name comes from the ice-packed shipments used historically for transport. Produce industry references recognize iceberg lettuce as one of the highest-volume lettuce varieties globally.
Grades and Quality Standards
Extra Fancy Grade
• Firm, dense heads
• Clean, pale green leaves
• Heavy for size
• Preferred for premium retail and export markets
Fancy Grade
• Minor size or leaf variations
• Slight cosmetic imperfections allowed
• Suitable for wholesale distribution
Commercial / Processing Grade
• Cosmetic defects permitted
• Acceptable internal quality
• Used for shredding and processing
Iceberg lettuce is graded based on head density, leaf color, firmness, size uniformity, and absence of decay, following international leafy vegetable quality standards.