This can be easily observed when lettuce is cut with a knife that has lost its outer coating and has rusted. So plastic is better in this case! Saying that, the choice of knife material really doesn’t make too much of a difference, as the metal ions only increase the rate of reaction ever so slightly.
Is it safe to cut lettuce with a knife?
No and no. The frequent admonishment to never cut lettuce with a knife, lest the cut edges turn brown faster than hand torn lettuce leaves, is a myth. Many cookbooks still carry the statement that a knife may “bruise the leaves.”
Are plastic lettuce knives worth the money?
You've seen them on TV and in kitchen stores: serrated plastic knives that supposedly help prevent your lettuce from turning brown after cutting. The plastic lettuce knife might stave off browning slightly longer than metal knives, but it's not worth the money or the extra drawer space. Click to see full answer.
What is the best way to store fresh cut lettuce?
As hinted at in the opening paragraphs, if you cut them, a clean knife might be a good idea. Then, store them in a bag lined wit paper towels to absorb any excess moisture, which will cause the lettuce to decompose more quickly.
Does tearing lettuce by the hand damage it’s leaves?
This myth seems to have been based on the belief that hand tearing will tear the lettuce along natural seams and thus damage fewer cells, limiting their exposure to oxygen, which turns them brown. But this isn’t true and tearing lettuce does not damage less cells than cutting the leaves with a knife.
What kind of knife should you use to cut lettuce?
A lettuce knife is a knife which is designed to cut lettuce without causing the lettuce to brown, yellow, or wilt. These special knives have serrated blades and they are typically made from plastic, which will not react with the lettuce to stimulate browning.
Why is it not good to cut lettuce with knife?
Most salad lovers will tell you that a torn leaf lasts longer, while a cut lettuce leaf turns brown faster. The rationale behind this is that, when torn, the leaf breaks along the natural boundaries between cells, whereas a knife cuts right through cells causing more damage and quicker browning.
Will lettuce turn brown if cut with a plastic knife?
A Cook's Illustrated report on plastic lettuce knives found that lettuce cut with a metal knife showed very faint browning on the edge after 12 days, while lettuce cut with a plastic knife browned slightly after 13 days, and hand-torn lettuce lasted 14 days.
What is the best way to cut lettuce?
0:131:31How To Cut Lettuce - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then we're going to cut it into pieces about a half inch wide then turn it. And that's how youMoreAnd then we're going to cut it into pieces about a half inch wide then turn it. And that's how you chop lettuce. We're going to cut it in half down through that core. And then to slice.
Why do chefs tear lettuce instead of cutting?
To prolong the life of lettuce by a day or two, stick to tearing by hand. Tearing allows leaves to break along their natural fault lines, rupturing fewer cells and reducing premature browning.
Are you supposed to tear lettuce for salad?
This myth seems to have been based on the belief that hand tearing will tear the lettuce along natural seams and thus damage fewer cells, limiting their exposure to oxygen, which turns them brown. But this isn't true and tearing lettuce does not damage less cells than cutting the leaves with a knife.
How do you keep lettuce fresh longer?
To store a full head of lettuce, wrap in a damp paper towel and put the head inside a plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator. If you're storing individual lettuce leaves, spin them dry after washing and place in a lettuce keeper in the fridge. A container is best to avoid bruising and bacteria buildup.
How do you cut lettuce so it doesn't turn brown?
Rip the lettuce rather than cutting it. Ripping the romaine leaves will often damage and bruise the lettuce less than cutting it with a knife. Rip the lettuce into large chunks if you wish to store it for a longer period of time. This will cause less damage to the lettuce, preventing it from browning as quickly.
Do metal knives make lettuce Brown?
No Truth to the Rumor That Metal Knives Make Lettuce Turn Brown.
Do you wash lettuce before or after cutting?
We recommend washing and drying the lettuce before cutting up the entire head. If you cut up the lettuce while the head is still dirty, you end up spreading the grit around. Cutting the leaves also causes the lettuce to oxidize more quickly.
How do you cut lettuce for a salad?
0:561:51How to Cut Iceberg Lettuce for a Salad : Salad Recipes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCareful not to cut any of your fingers of course and cut right down the center. So that you have aMoreCareful not to cut any of your fingers of course and cut right down the center. So that you have a couple of halves. If you want a huge salad you can definitely use just this portion.
How do restaurants Shred lettuce?
0:361:40How to cut and shred iceberg lettuce - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you get about halfway up that down rotate the lettuce back down and cut the same way. You'reMoreOnce you get about halfway up that down rotate the lettuce back down and cut the same way. You're going to reach a point when you're cutting that you're not going to have any more dome shape.