What's a good type of lettuce to try for some one who doesn't like lettuce?

Me and lettuce have always been the worst of enemies.   When I was young I would yell from the backseat at the drive through that I was "allergic" in a desperate attempt to avoid having lettuce on my tacos. 

Now that I'm finally trying to incorporate more veggies into my diet I thought the time might come when I even have to try lettuce again.   I know nothing about lettuce types and if they even taste different.  I do know that the normal type they shred and put on stuff like tacos tastes extremely bitter to me.  And people think I'm crazy for thinking that, but that's how it is for me.

Any suggestions for a type of lettuce I should try to start with?  If I can't find it in the grocery store abs have to try and grow it next year that would be fine.   As long as it's quick enough to grow that I can plant it where my tomatoes wold eventually grow; that being the only spot I don't have anything planned for next spring.

I understand your dislike of bitter lettuce.  I came across a variety called Little Gem. These grow small heads of Sweet Tasting and nicely colored almost dark green leaves. Not that pale green junk.   I give this variety a grade of A+.  I recommend you look up this variety to see if it grows well in your location. Husband and I  are big fans.  Best wishes!

Romaine lettuce is different, because it has a nice crunch- and lots of water...It is especially delicious with Caesar dressing, croutons and bacon bits.Barely recognizable as lettuce. Even most kids (with their discerning taste buds) will eat it.

Try a lettuce mix like this:    http://www.superseeds.com/products/pinetree-lettuce-mix

Another really nice butterhead like Little Gems is Matchless.  Easy to germinate and grow.  Very mild and crunchy, not bitter.  Heirloom.  I could send you some seeds if you want to try it?  PM me if interested!

Butter head lettuce is delicious. It melts in your mouth.

I grew Romaine and experienced some bitterness (that nasty white milky sap) if I let the heads get big. 

I then started to learn about other lettuce types 1) Loose Leaf, 2)  Butterhead or Bibb, 3) Romaine, 4) Buttercrunch 5) Crisp Head...and maybe some others.

So this fall I'm growing Bibb, Buttercrunch, Boston Bibb (Baker Creek Seeds), and Igloo...and would like to add Nancy (Boston type from Johnny's) next spring. 

Another reason I like growing Bibb or Butter types is they are super expensive at the store.

Read through some seed catalogs like Johnny's to see what lettuce types may be interesting to you.

landarch wrote:
Another reason I like growing Bibb or Butter types is they are super expensive at the store.

Yes,  they are!  Because they don't ship well.  Their delicious mild flavor and wonderful texture tell you why!

Question - I love nice crisp head lettuce but can't grow it here because the cool weather does not last long enough and it is virtually un-nutritious.  So, what other type of lettuce is the crispest.  So far I have found black seeded simpson.  Are there any better crispier non heading lettuce.

I love Burpee's Little Ceasar. Does great right into summer here. You don't have to let it head up, just pick it early, which I do with some.

This article was posted on Facebook by an aggie friend. At the end are some nice photos with descriptions. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/04/yuma-lettuce_n_6796398.html?

Actually tried a piece of romaine from my wife's salad.  It wasn't bad! At very least it lacked to bitter flavor that makes iceberg indelible to me.

My favorite variety has long slender leaves.
Has a reddish color.
Goes great with all sorts of foods.
Really tastes great...

BACON!!!!

ralitaco wrote:My favorite variety has long slender leaves.
Has a reddish color.
Goes great with all sorts of foods.
Really tastes great...

BACON!!!!

I've heard it's great on a BLT!

The first time ever that I tried lettuce was Butterhead Lettuce and I loved it. Try this. You will love it too.

I like Romaine, because it is easy to cut. Also like Salonva from Johnny's Seeds.

Flashy Butter Oak is gorgeous and tender, tasty.  My favorite butterhead is Marvel of 4 Seasons.  (Marseille de Quattro Saisons). Amazing.  And really pretty!

Flashy Butter Oak is gorgeous and tender, tasty.  My favorite butterhead is Marvel of 4 Seasons.  (Marseille de Quattro Saisons). Amazing.  And really pretty!

Scorpio Rising wrote:Flashy Butter Oak is gorgeous and tender, tasty.  My favorite butterhead is Marvel of 4 Seasons.  (Marseille de Quattro Saisons). Amazing.  And really pretty!

To be honest, they all taste pretty much the same to me. But Merveille is really pretty, pest resistant, and grows well once it gets going. It's also a legacy plant, so you once you let it go to seed you'll have  lots of more seeds.

markqz wrote:

Scorpio Rising wrote:Flashy Butter Oak is gorgeous and tender, tasty.  My favorite butterhead is Marvel of 4 Seasons.  (Marseille de Quattro Saisons). Amazing.  And really pretty!

To be honest, they all taste pretty much the same to me. But Merveille is really pretty, pest resistant, and grows well once it gets going. It's also a legacy plant, so you once you let it go to seed you'll have  lots of more seeds.

Yes it is!  Love how spell correct screws up names all the time.

Scorpio Rising wrote:Yes it is!  Love how spell correct screws up names all the time.

So true

Not just names, but words in general.  It's trash.