"The Yellow Emperor's Neijing" once said: "Yang is raised in spring and summer, and yin is raised in autumn and winter." "Spring, as the season of growth of all things, is naturally the best time for us to recuperate our bodies and choose seasonal vegetables. (Editor: Dragonfly)
Lettuce, as a representative vegetable in spring, is loved for its crisp and tender taste and rich nutritional value.
However, in the process of choosing lettuce, how should we make a choice that can ensure that the ingredients are delicious without wasting money?
01
Lettuce, also known as lettuce, is known as the "first dish of spring", it is not only delicious, but also nutritious, and it is a good product on the spring table.
Lettuce is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, which has a significant effect on enhancing immunity and promoting gastrointestinal digestion.
In addition, lettuce is also rich in minerals such as potassium and calcium, which have a positive effect on regulating blood pressure, improving heart health, and preventing anemia.
In traditional Chinese medicine, lettuce is regarded as a good product for clearing away heat and detoxification, diuretic and laxative, and when eaten properly in spring, it can help to reconcile the body's yin and yang balance and enhance physical fitness.
02
1. Observe the leaves and judge the freshness
Fresh lettuce leaves should be bright green in color and have a firm texture with no visible wilting.
Such lettuce usually means that it has just been picked from the field and has been well preserved in both water and nutrients.
If the leaves are yellow or show signs of wilting, the lettuce may have been stored for a longer period of time and will lose its freshness and taste.
2. Ratio size
Many people tend to choose large roots when buying lettuce, believing that the larger the lettuce, the better the nutrition and taste, but in fact, this view is not entirely correct.
Excessive lettuce often means that its growth cycle is too long, the fiber is thicker, and the taste becomes more woody and not tender enough.
And lettuce that is too small, although it is tender, will have more waste during peeling and processing, and it is less cost-effective.
The ideal lettuce size should be medium thick, about three finger thick, so that the lettuce guarantees both taste and easy handling.
3. Look at the cut surface
Fresh lettuce cuts should be moist and bright green in color, with no yellowing or blackening, if the cuts have dark spots or have discolored, the lettuce may have started to spoil.
At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to whether there is a hollowing phenomenon in the cut surface, which is usually caused by the lettuce being too ripe or in poor growing conditions, and the taste of the hollow lettuce is poor, and the nutritional value will be reduced.
4. Look at the top
The top of the lettuce, especially the middle part of the leaves, is an important indicator of its ripeness, and when the lettuce grows to a certain extent, the center will begin to grow buds.
Once the buds appear, the lettuce is already overripe, its fiber will become coarse and hard, the taste will deteriorate, and it is no longer suitable for consumption.
Therefore, when purchasing, you should pay special attention to check the top of the lettuce and avoid buying lettuce that has already started to be mossed.
5. Weight
Generally speaking, lettuce with a moderate or even heavy weight has more moisture inside and a relatively tender taste.
If the lettuce is unusually light, it is likely to be hollow or lose a lot of moisture, which will greatly reduce the taste and nutritional value of the lettuce.
Lettuce can be cooked in a variety of ways, either raw or cooked. When eaten raw, lettuce has a crisp texture and well-preserved nutrients, and when cooked, whether stir-fried, boiled, or stewed, lettuce retains its unique fragrance and tenderness.
In traditional Chinese medicine, lettuce is regarded as an ideal food in spring, which can effectively promote digestion and clean up heat and toxins in the body, which is very beneficial for maintaining good health in spring.
Spring is a good time for health preservation. Proper consumption of lettuce can not only supplement our body with necessary nutrients, but also help us reconcile the balance of yin and yang in the body and enhance our physique.
In this season of revival, let's enjoy the gifts of nature and welcome a vibrant and healthy spring through the right way to buy and eat lettuce in the right way.
On the road of spring health, lettuce is undoubtedly a good product that we cannot ignore, and I hope everyone can choose and eat lettuce correctly in this spring, so that the table in this spring will be more healthy and rich.