why does lettuce sometimes gets brownish after chopping it and putting it in the fridge?

Question

Do I have to store it in the fridge in a bowl full of water so it does not get brown?

Answer 1

Eventually small amounts of oxygen induces browning and other physiological processes that turn crisp green lettuce to brown stinky soup...
To store lettuce, wash the lettuce and dry the leaves with paper towels, seal or wrap it securely in plastic and place it in the coolest part of the refrigerator, which is generally located in the rear and lowest shelf section of the refrigerator.
Some types of lettuce require different preparation than others. Basic preparation consists of cleaning and drying. Some need to be cut or broken into smaller pieces before serving. Loose greens should have the damaged, wilted or yellowed leaves removed and the remaining greens should be soaked in cold water and drained. This process should be repeated until there is no longer any sediments at the bottom of the bowl. They can then be placed in a lettuce spinner to dry. If you do not have a spinner, they can be drained in a colander and then placed in a bag with a couple of paper towels and gently shaken. The paper towels will collect most of the excess moisture.

Answer 2

Sorry but starbut is the only one with the correct answer. It is air (oxygen that causes the browning affect. Even lettuce that hasn't been cut will turn brown if left in open air. dry and sealed in a plastic bag is your best bet for at home use. if you plan to use it with in a few hours or the next day. cover it with a wet towel or ice and cover. Will keep it fresh looking and very crisp. If keeping longer than that.Follow starbutts advice.
The whole thing about using knives to cut lettuce was because before stainless steal. Knives would become rusty and or oxidized. That isn't the case anymore. I'm a chef and cut my lettuce everyday. and any other Chef I know also cuts their lettuce. tearing is fine...but not necessary.

Answer 3

You asked 2 Questions.so here is the answer for 1st Q.its very long answer.please click to read
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question168.htm
From my personal experience, There are 2 ways to keep it fresh in the fridge, I am on diet now a days, so i buy 2 heads every week, to prepare a Big Salad Bowl, enough for 2 to 3 days. my bowl is stainless steel, and I cut everything with metal knife( it stays fresh for 3 days) so I don’t believe on that Metal or stainless are causes this. Here is a tip how I deal with lettuce. D(and it stays fresh for long time.
Keep the lettuce wrapped in a plastic bag, when ever you need it, take it out, peel off some lettuce, rinse it in running water, and let it dry on kitchen towel. Then cut it as you like, squeeze a lemon in it and mix it with spatula, Now add other vegetables or fruits. Don’t add any dressing in it,(you can add dressing,15 minutes before you serve.)Now wrap the bowl with plastic film and store this bowl in the fridge.the secret is in washing,adding Lemon juice,and covering.THATS it.:D

Answer 4

It will get brown if you cut it with a metal knife. Use a plastic knife. Do Not put it in water...keeping lettuce dry is what makes it stay fresh longer. Tupperware sells a lettuce bowl just for this, which keeps it fresh longer.

Also, lettuce will go bad faster when cut away from the core.

Answer 5

You aren't supposed to chop lettuce because it goes brownish, and you should only tear up what you are going to use right away. You should store the head of lettuce whole.

Answer 6

the thing is to rip the lettuce not cut it , that is why it goes brown around the edges , and another good tip is to wrap the head of lettuce in damp kitchen paper and then to put it in a plastic bag ,
believe me it works a treat i do it all the time

Answer 7

It has to do with the knife. Don't cut it, just rip it with your hands. Take any left over lettuce, place it in a bad and put a paper towel in it. I t will prevent it from getting brown.

Answer 8

It is known matter that lettuce if gets contacted with metal knife can become brownish. Peel it instead of cutting them.

Answer 9

Are you cutting it with a metal knife? You need to tear it and yes put in water if not using it right away.

Answer 10

Cut your lettuce with a plastic knife or tear it with your hand.