Peeling back a lettuce leaf and discovering red discoloration inside the vegetable can be frustrating. You might be wondering if your plans for a crispy salad are ruined and whether you have to throw it all away now.
A lettuce that has a bit of red discoloration on it should be fine to eat, although you may wish to cut the red areas off and only consume the green parts. The red is due to an enzyme that is not harmful to humans, so you don’t need to worry about eating it. However, it is a sign that you should use the lettuce ASAP.
If your lettuce is red inside, this article should help you to determine how safe it is to eat, and how to prepare it to ensure your salad is still delicious.
Why Do Lettuces Turn Red?
The red discoloration inside a lettuce is often referred to as “rust,” and this is a particularly apt name. It’s the result of excess moisture in the lettuce’s storage environment, which can be useful to know – because it might mean you put the lettuce somewhere a little drier next time.
The rust tends to appear around the lettuce’s stem or root, and may be on the outside, or hidden inside beneath the leaves. The excess moisture in the environment causes the flesh to release an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, which causes discoloration. This enzyme can also be the result of damage to the lettuce, so you may see it if the vegetable has been bruised.
This kind of damage most commonly appears on:
- Romaine lettuce
- Iceberg lettuce
- Other heads of pale lettuce
It’s a relatively common issue, so you shouldn’t let it put you off the vegetable entirely, or you’ll end up with significant amounts of unnecessary food waste.
Can You Eat A Lettuce With Red On It?
Red lettuces don’t look particularly appetizing, but they aren’t unsafe to eat. They are simply a little discolored due to damage to the exterior of the leaves. The best way to solve this is to wash the lettuce, and then use a sharp knife to remove all of the red areas.
To be clear, you can eat lettuce rust safely, but it doesn’t usually taste great. Because the cells have been damaged, they have often lost their flavor and become bitter. You probably won’t notice if this is only to a small degree, but it’s best to cut these parts off so you can fully enjoy your salad instead.
If you do eat a few leaves with rust on them, don’t worry about it; they won’t do you any harm.
However, if the leaves have gone limp or show other signs of aging or decay (such as sogginess, a strange smell, etc.), you need to throw them away. Salad can give you food poisoning, so don’t eat a lettuce leaf that looks off. It could make you ill.
It’s also worth noting that if your lettuce is starting to develop red spots, you may want to use it up sooner. Although the spots alone don’t indicate your lettuce is unsafe, they do suggest that it is getting past its best. If you keep it for too much longer, it will probably no longer be good to eat.
Can You Stop Your Lettuce From Going Red?
A couple of things can cause rust to develop, and the best way to prevent it is to understand how to store lettuce well. Firstly, your lettuce should not be kept in a very wet environment. Lettuces do prefer high humidity levels, but if they are actually soggy, they will start to develop rust pretty quickly.
You should also be aware that ethylene gas can cause rust spots to develop on the stems. This is produced by other fruit and vegetables, particularly apples and bananas. This gas encourages ripening, but it will cause your lettuce to overripen and start decaying quickly.
To prevent this, keep the lettuce away from other vegetables in your fridge.
It’s critical to keep the lettuce cold, too. If you leave the lettuce on your counter, it will very quickly start to turn pink and decay. The moisture in the cells will be lost to the surrounding air, causing them to break down and redden. Make sure your lettuce stays chilled.
The final thing to do is avoid bruising as much as possible. A lettuce that gets jostled and bumped on the way home from the grocery store is much more likely to develop little red spots.
Conclusion
Lettuces that have a bit of red inside are usually still perfectly safe to eat. Thoroughly wash the leaves, and then use a sharp knife to cut off any red parts. They won’t hurt you, but they don’t taste great, so it’s best to remove them before you eat the lettuce.
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
