Tag: Lactuca sativa

While the cultivated *Lactuca sativa* is a staple in most salads, with global production reaching 28 million tonnes in 2023, the edibility of wild *Lactuca* leaves is far more complex. The safety and taste of *Lactuca* leaves vary significantly between domesticated and wild species, making correct identification essential before consumption.

Over 50% of the world's lettuce is produced in China, yet many consumers don't know the full story behind this common food. A single leaf of lettuce is classified differently depending on the context, balancing its scientific botanical identity with its more familiar culinary categorization as a leafy vegetable.

Lettuce, the popular salad staple, belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is also known as the daisy, sunflower, or composite family. This diverse group is one of the largest families of flowering plants in the world, with more than 32,000 species found across every continent except Antarctica.

Lettuce is approximately 95% water by weight, but it provides essential vitamins like K and A. Discover the definitive answer to **what category of food is lettuce**, exploring its botanical family and culinary role.