Lettuce
We proudly present one of our star products: our Lettuce from the varieties Romana and Little Gem.
Romana lettuce, also known as Romaine, has a history dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Egypt, where it was cultivated for both its flavor and medicinal properties. The Romans later embraced it, recognizing its health benefits and resilience, which led to its name “Romana,” meaning “from Rome.” It became widely grown across the Mediterranean, particularly in Spain, Italy, and France, where it remains an essential ingredient in traditional cuisine.
Little Gem lettuce is a more recent variety, believed to have originated in France or Spain as a natural hybrid between Romaine and Butterhead lettuces. It combines the sweetness and tenderness of Butterhead with the crisp texture of Romaine, making it a highly sought-after variety among chefs and food enthusiasts. Compact in size yet rich in flavor, Little Gem thrives in Spain’s Mediterranean climate, particularly in regions like Murcia, where ideal growing conditions allow for year-round production. Its small, dense heads and slightly nutty taste make it perfect for fresh salads, grilling, and gourmet dishes.
Both types of lettuce require specific cultivation conditions, and the water, soil, and climate found in the Murcia region allow these crops to thrive, achieving exceptionally high quality standards.
Our extensive experience in the industry enables us to guarantee optimal levels of freshness, texture, and flavor in this product. Certain factors, such as the ideal harvest time, are critical to achieving maximum quality and are only perfected through experience.
Romana Lettuce - hearts are sweet, firm, and dark green in color. They measure approximately 25 to 40 centimeters in height, depending on the variety used. Its crisp texture, elongated leaves, and slightly bitter taste have made Romana a favorite in salads and cooked dishes. Over the centuries, it spread across Europe and beyond, becoming one of the most widely consumed lettuce varieties, especially in Mediterranean diets. Today, Spain is one of the leading producers, ensuring year-round availability of high-quality Romana lettuce.
Little Gem Lettuce - hearts are sweet, have excellent texture, and a vibrant dark green color. Their weight typically ranges between 60 and 175 grams per piece, depending on the type of commercialization and client requirements.
The cultivation of Little Gem and Romana Lettuce Hearts in the Murcia region benefits from the area’s ideal climate, which provides optimal conditions for growing high-quality lettuce throughout the year.
Seasonality and Cultivation
Little Gem and Romana lettuce thrive in the Mediterranean climate of Murcia, benefiting from mild winters, abundant sunshine, and controlled irrigation. Traditionally, both varieties were harvested from late autumn through early spring, as they prefer cooler temperatures. However, thanks to advanced agricultural techniques, we now cultivate these lettuces year-round, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, high-quality produce.
Murcia’s fertile soil and efficient irrigation systems provide the ideal balance of nutrients and water, resulting in strong growth, crisp texture, and excellent flavor. Each lettuce heart is handpicked at peak freshness, guaranteeing optimal taste, texture, and shelf life. With continuous planting and harvesting cycles, we meet global demand while maintaining exceptional quality in every season.
The combination of ideal growing conditions, sustainable farming practices, and advanced logistics ensures that Little Gem and Romana Lettuce Hearts from Murcia can be enjoyed fresh worldwide - any time of the year.
For more details regarding prices, availability, and trading conditions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.