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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Little Gem Lettuce |
| Scientific name | Lactuca sativa |
| Family / Genus | Asteraceae / — |
| Produce category | Leafy Green |
| Produce subcategory | Lettuce |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4640 |
| PLU — organic | 94640 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_4279 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 25.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Gem (Standard) | 30% | The classic Little Gem type. Compact, upright, spoon-shaped leaves with a crisp texture and sweet, nutty flavor. Forms a dense, elongated heart. Excellent for salads and grilling. |
| Winter Density | 25% | Often described as a compact Romaine or a Little Gem type. Known for its exceptional cold hardiness and dense, upright heads. Dark green, crisp leaves with a sweet flavor. Good bolt resistance. |
| Breen | 15% | A popular red-tinged Little Gem. Features attractive bronze-red outer leaves and a green heart. Maintains the classic crisp texture and sweet flavor. Adds visual appeal to salads. |
| Sweet Gem | 10% | A selection prized for its enhanced sweetness and tender texture. Forms small, dense heads with bright green leaves. Excellent for fresh eating. |
| Blush | 8% | Similar to Breen, this variety offers beautiful red-blushed leaves with a crisp, sweet interior. Good heat tolerance and bolt resistance for a red type. |
| Little Leprechaun | 5% | A very compact and uniform green Little Gem. Known for its early maturity and dense, upright habit. Crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor. |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 31.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 4 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.05 uL/kg/h typical (0.01–0.1) |
| Sensitivity class | high |
| Sensitivity threshold | 0.1 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Store away from ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples, bananas, tomatoes).
Mixed-load compatibility
Ethylene-sensitive, non-ethylene producing
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Growing, driven by culinary trends and consumer preference for unique textures and flavors.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -1 |
| Income elasticity | 0.8 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.6 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Little Gem | 0.5% |
| Romaine | 30% |
| Iceberg | 25% |
| Green Leaf | 15% |
| Red Leaf | 10% |
| Butter | 5% |
| Other Specialty | 14.5% |
Pack sizes
- 12 count (2 lb film bags)
- 24 count (bulk)
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
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