Boston Lettuce

Rich green and very fresh, Boston and Bibb lettuces are both deliciously mild in taste. These premium greens form a loosely folded head surrounded by a rosette of delicate soft leaves. Bibb is considered the most refined of all the butter head varieties and has a texture similar to Boston, but is more flavorful. Bibb has small dark green leaves that are very tender and offer a delicate flavor. Boston, a favorite of restaurants, has medium size leaves that are meaty, smooth, broad and thick.
            It was in 1865 when John Bibb grew his special Bibb lettuce in the rich Kentucky alkaline soil. This superior variety, also called limestone, would become the first American gourmet lettuce. They say Bibb never sold his lettuce, but preferred instead to give the seeds away. Butter head, or butter lettuce, includes Bibb and Boston and is one of two varieties of head lettuce. The other is crisp-head, which includes iceberg. Today Boston and Bibb are commonly grown in the fertile Salinas Valley of California, claiming to be the salad bowl of the United States. Literally tons of lettuces and greens are consumed in this area, plus are shipped across the nation.