Lettuce - Rosaine Little Gem 12ct

Wild Hope’s Rosaine lettuce is one of the most visually striking lettuces we’ve brought in this season — compact little heads layered in deep burgundy and vibrant green, with heavily savoyed leaves that feel somewhere between romaine and little gem in structure.

Unlike modern hybrid lettuces bred primarily for uniformity and shipping, Rosaine is an open-pollinated heirloom variety — selected and preserved for flavor, texture, and beauty in the field. That heritage shows up immediately in the eating. The leaves are thin but structured, crisp without feeling rigid, and carry a sweetness that builds from the pale inner heart outward into a faintly nutty, lightly bitter edge in the darker leaves.

Wild Hope grows these with careful spacing and soil management, allowing the heads to develop slowly and stay well hydrated. The result is a lettuce with real life to it — not watery, not brittle, but supple and crisp at the same time.

Flavor & Texture

• Sweet, buttery core
• Mild nuttiness with faint chicory-like bitterness in the outer leaves
• Crisp, highly textured leaves
• Excellent hydration and clean finish

The texture is what chefs notice first — deeply crinkled leaves that trap vinaigrette beautifully while still maintaining lift and structure on the plate.

For the Kitchen

• Whole or halved heads: Grill or char lightly while keeping the core intact
• Composed salads: Natural shape gives height and structure without much manipulation
• Classic vinaigrettes: Holds dressing exceptionally well
• Seafood pairings: Especially strong with crab, shrimp, trout, or oysters
• Layered plating: Burgundy and green contrast adds immediate visual depth

Rosaine carries the refinement of a modern chef’s lettuce, but with the flavor and individuality of an older field variety. A beautiful heirloom crop grown carefully and harvested at the stage where texture, sweetness, and structure all meet.