Lettuce is a fridge staple during the summer months, whether you're rustling up refreshing salads for a barbecue or adding a satisfying crunch to picnic sandwiches. Yet purchasing it can sometimes feel like money down the drain, as lettuce has a tendency to spoil within just a few days if it is not stored correctly.
Nicole Modic, a cookbook author and founder of Kale Junkie, has explained that lettuce can remain fresh for a fortnight or even longer simply by removing it from its plastic packaging and wrapping it up. She said: "For this hack, all you need to do is start by cutting the stem off of your head of lettuce, then wrap the lettuce in a towel or paper towel."
Why lettuce wilts and how a towel helps
Lettuce has an exceptionally high water content, which gives it that satisfying crispness, but this also means it can lose moisture rapidly and start to wilt when exposed to the dry air circulating inside a fridge. It tends to release considerable amounts of moisture, and the resulting stagnant water accelerates rotting, leaving the lettuce slimy and unpleasant.
Plastic packaging seals the lettuce and offers some protection, but it also traps excess moisture, leading to condensation that ultimately leaves the lettuce soggy, reports the Express. A tea towel or sheet of kitchen paper, on the other hand, will absorb any surplus moisture while simultaneously acting as a protective barrier, keeping lettuce fresher for considerably longer.
How to properly store lettuce to keep it fresh
Next, ensure the lettuce is thoroughly dried. Use a salad spinner or spread the leaves across a clean tea towel and pat gently until completely dry. Once the lettuce has been thoroughly dried, loosely wrap it in a clean tea towel or a few sheets of kitchen roll. Place it inside a lidded food container or a sandwich bag. Ensure the container or sandwich bag is left slightly ajar rather than fully sealed, allowing any excess moisture to escape.
Pop the lettuce in the crisper drawer of your fridge, where it should remain fresh for up to 14 days or beyond — meaning you can enjoy crisp, leafy greens without the worry of them going to waste.
