Spotlight on: Crunchy Cos

What keeps cos lettuce growers up at night? 
Cos is in high demand all year round, which means varieties need to perform in different seasons. Growers need varieties specifically tailored to their local growing conditions and climate. Eliminating browning on stems is a major focus especially for growers supplying the fresh cut markets.   

Why are you excited about the crunchy cos lettuce varieties and what makes them different? 
Crunchy cos is a Rijk Zwaan innovation in lettuce breeding, combining the sweet, elongated leaves of cos with the crisp texture and juiciness of Iceberg. These unique leaves are closely packed in a closed head, which provides more usable leaves and contributes to reducing waste.  

I’m excited about the versatility these new types provide for the market, chefs and consumers. I love the idea that individual leaves can be used for tapas, or as event finger foods virtually eliminating the need for plates and cutlery. Decades in the making, we now have varieties from small to large sizes to cater for a wide range of culinary experiences and market needs.   

What advantages does crunchy cos offer growers? 
Crunchy cos varieties are incredibly agronomically strong against tip burn and stand up to the challenges of excessive heat. They form lovely cos hearts which have the weight that growers need, which means excellent filling inside the head as it matures. There are so many ways to market Crunchy Cos -- they can be sold as twin packs, single packs or for processing in value-add products. By choosing the right mix of varieties we can cover all the requirements of growers. 

What have the reactions from growers during trials been? 
Growers across the country have been part of our trial program over the past several years and have been able to try out the right varieties for the specific products they wish to supply. Some growers have been supplying twin-pack Crunchy Cos into wholesale markets and it’s now making the transition to supermarket shelves as well.  

How are we preparing and eating crunchy cos lettuces these days? 
Australian consumers are familiar with Cos and have been using it in salads for a long time. What Crunchy Cos offers is that extra crunch and a sweeter taste, so they are perfect for salads, and great on sharing plates to snack or fill. We are seeing it used more in Asian-inspired dishes and as a stand-alone ‘wrap’ or ‘mini-bowl’ to combine with other ingredients.  It’s appearing in burgers and tacos to give that crunch, and of course it’s just making the famous ‘Caesar’ salads even more delicious.  

Do you have a favourite way to eat or prepare this type of cos lettuce? 
I like eating them as snack meal where the leaves can be dipped into my favourite dip, and I like to add different ingredients to make a lettuce ‘bowl’. I have two favourite recipes from the Veggies First website, which show how easy and tasty this approach can be with almost any kind of cuisine. I love these Mexican-inspired nacho snacks, and these Pad Thai lettuce bowls, but the possibilities are limitless.