Don't Lettuce Down! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rocket

Arugula, or rocket, has a peppery, pungent, mildly bitter or acrid flavour. It is native to Southern Europe, but is grown and eaten in various parts of the world. Many think that the word "arugula" is Italian, but that is not the case. The Italian word is "rucola" or sometimes "rochetta". "Arugula" seems to be an English corruption of the word from some Italian dialect, perhaps from Lombardy where they call it "arigola".

It should also be noted that "rocket" likely came from Latin. In Latin, "eruca" was a type of cabbage, and the English word "rocket", the German word "Rauke" and the Italian "rucola" can be traced back to that word.

Answer: False

Belgian endive is torpedo shaped and grows to about six inches. Its pale leaves with either yellow or red leaf edges are grown from chicory roots in dark environments to keep the leaves pale. The taste is somewhat bitter, but the delicate crunch often makes up for that.

They can be mixed with other greens, or eaten on their own. Belgian endive is a source of thiamin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, as well as folate and copper. Beware, though. It can also act as a laxative if large amounts are consumed.

Answer: Butter lettuce

Butter lettuce is mild and tender. It grows in a head that is similar to iceberg lettuce, just not as compact. Varieties of butter lettuce include Bibb lettuce and Boston lettuce. The leaves are wide and the outer leaves seem to form a scoop. These outer leaves are often used in dishes that require a vessel such as low-carb tacos and beef wraps. Butter lettuce is often sold with its roots intact in order to preserve the freshness of the delicate leaves.

Answer: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum greens can be tossed into a salad when they are young and tender. They provide a peppery taste when young. The older greens can begin to get tough and taste quite bitter. The older greens can be cooked in order to make them more palatable.

The chrysanthemum is also known as the "mum" in some areas. As with all plants that you eat, you should guarantee that the greens have not been exposed to unhealthy chemicals (e.g. pesticides and fertilizers). Growing your own will guarantee this if it is possible where you live.

Answer: Yes

Valerianella locusta has many alternative English names including lamb's lettuce, corn salad, common cornsalad, nut lettuce, and field salad. It also has alternative French and German names. Lamb's lettuce is sometimes considered a weed in areas of Europe and Asia where it has also been foraged for hundreds of years.

It also grows wild in North America after escaping cultivation there. The term "lamb's lettuce" is said to refer to the leaves that are the size and shape of a lamb's tongue. Lamb's lettuce has three times the Vitamin C as iceberg lettuce, and is also high in beta-carotene, Vitamin B6, iron, and potassium.

Answer: Mesclun

Mesclun is a relatively new addition to our salad plates. It has been traced to the Provence area of France in the 1970s where farmers would bring their greens mixtures to markets. By the 1980s, the mixes had become popular in many other areas around the world. Mesclun contains at least four different types of salad greens, but can contain up to ten in the mix. All of the greens in mesclun must be very young and about four inches (10 cm) long.

The word "mesclun" means "mixture" and has a Provençal dialect origin.

It is derived from the verb "mesclar", which means to "mix thoroughly".

Answer: Japan

Mizuna is also known as Japanese mustard greens and spider mustard. The spiky green leaves are actually quite delicate, but they taste quite spicy. Mizuna has become part of Japanese culture over the years. It is considered to be a "Kyo yasai", or an heirloom vegetable from the Kyoto region.

This is where the Royal family lived and the city acted as Japan's national capital during the Edo period. Mizuna can be eaten raw in a salad, cooked, or even pickled.

Answer: Vitamin E

Purslane is cultivated in gardens and grows wild around the world. It has thick and spongy leaves that provide a crunch when eaten raw, but also go well in soups and stews. When consumed, 100g of purslane packs a nutritional punch. With only 20 calories in that amount, it provides significant amounts of eight vitamins and seven minerals.

This includes 81% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin E!

Answer: Your yard or other area that you control

Young dandelion greens can be a delicious addition to many salads. It is recommended that only the younger leaves be used for raw meals like salads because as the plant ages, it becomes quite bitter. Because it is a weed, it seems to grow everywhere. It may be tempting to pick dandelions whenever you come across them because the entire plant is edible.

However, you should only pick from areas where you control the pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. If you pick from any other areas, you may inadvertently ingest dangerous chemicals with your greens.

Answer: Caesar salad

Romaine lettuce is typically used for Caesar salads. When most lettuce grows, it wilts or stops growing when the temperature rises. Romaine is one of the few heat-tolerant lettuces. It continues to grow in warmer climates when most other lettuces are out of season.

This variety of lettuce is called "lattuga romana" in Italian and "laitue romaine" in French, both meaning "Roman lettuce". This likely explains why it is called "romaine lettuce" in English-speaking countries. Back in ancient Egyptian times (from at least 2700 BC), romaine lettuce was associated with Min, the Egyptian god of fertility, for its resemblance to the phallus.