Iceberg lettuce is still a favourite with consumers, with Romaine and Gem varieties following close behind, according to a study into salad buying habits.
The study found that Iceberg remained the preferred lettuce type while Romaine and Gem varieties were named as favourites by 12 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.
A third of shoppers named other leaf lettuce among their favourites, and over 15 per cent selected mixed bags.
The report also found that almost three quarters of shoppers ate lettuce at least twice a week over the summer this year and a third of shoppers ate some form of lettuce leaf every day.
Syngenta campaign manager for salads Rebecca Stilton said that the survey confirmed there was now a clear desire for small-leaved lettuce, with just 25 per cent stating a preference for large leaved lettuce types. Comments included that small-leaved lettuce was easier to prepare.
The survey, run by Syngenta, questioned shoppers at a supermarket in northern England on their buying habits and salad crop demands. It included a taste test and consumer reaction to the Syngenta frilly baby green lettuce variety, Crispita.
Stilton said: “The consumers’ responses pinpointed the importance of flavour as the key buying decision for purchasing salad, closely followed by appearance and texture.”
She added: “That has significant implications for growers’ variety selection to meet consumers’ preferences.”
George Hallam, Syngenta salad crop specialist said: “Unlike the majority of baby green lettuce varieties, Crispita is perfectly suited to processing as a result of the strong leaf structure, whilst still maintaining sufficient flexibility to minimise cracking during the washing and drying process.”
