Greens can be mixed by season, by flavor, by color, or by where they are grown. Mesclun leaves are usually clipped when only a few centimeters (inches) tall. Mesclun originated in the Provence region of France, where it served as a way to utilize a mix of young, tender greens. Traditionally, farmers collected leftover leaves from various crops, blending them into a diverse salad mix. This method ensured a balance of flavors and textures, highlighting the varied produce available each season. The cultivation methods for mesclun emphasize sustainable practices, often involving organic farming techniques.
Top 20 Varieties of Mesclun to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts
These greens provide a combination of crunchy, peppery, and slightly bitter tastes, enhancing the overall flavor profile of salads and dishes. For a lighter salad that features subtle flavors, mesclun greens — which are also sold under the name mesclun mix or spring mix — are a good choice. Mesclun mix lettuce is a colorful blend of young salad greens, typically including arugula, frisée, radicchio, mâche, and baby spinach.
It’s healthy, it’s tasty, and you can add it to any of your recipes. Mesclun has a flavor affinity for anchovies, cucumber, fresh herbs, lemon, mustard, raw onion, tart fruits, tomato, and vinaigrette. Season mesclun with virtually all herbs, onions, or garlic. Top mesclun with vinegar or vinaigrette dressing or plain or flavored mayonnaise.
How to Plant and Grow Mesclun in Your Garden
After germination thin the seedlings to a spacing of 1 inch (2.5 cm.) between each plant. Mesclun can be purchased as a seed mix or you can get the different varieties of greens that you prefer and make your own mix. Mesclun mix is harvested young so it doesn’t need a lot of space and even does well in containers. Mesclun mix features a diverse range of young greens, adding color and flavor to your plate. Understanding the common types of lettuce and unique ingredients enhances your experience with this salad mix. Most of the greens are shallow-rooted and require daily watering.
Sweet Salad Mix
Mesclun is simply a mix of four different types of these kinds of greens. Mesclun is a mix of tender salad greens and herbs from the Provençal language. It comes from the French word “mixer,” which means “to mix.” A mesclun mix usually has an arugula, chervil, oak leaf, and mache. It can also be made with various greens, like dandelion greens, frisée, baby spinach, collard greens, mustard greens, and more. The word mesclun comes from the Portuguese verb muscular, which means to mix well. In this case, it means tender leafy greens like arugula, endive, chervil, young red and green lettuces, baby spinach, mustard greens, frisée, mizuna, young Swiss chard, radicchio, and sorrel.
Three Mesclun or traditional French salad mixes:
Mesclun isn’t just a pretty face; it’s packed with flavor and nutrition. This article will introduce you to the different types of greens in mesclun, how to use them in your cooking, and why they’re a fantastic addition to your meals. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just looking to spice up your salads, you’ll find plenty of tips and insights to make the most of this tasty mix. A zesty mix of kale, lettuce, and mustard greens, this mesclun mix can grow to 10 or 12 inches at maturity, just 45 days from sowing – so you can plan to start picking in just a few weeks.
There are pre-mixed mesclun seed packets or select your favorite greens for planting. Mesclun lettuce refers to a mixture of young salad greens, often including varieties like arugula, frisée, baby lettuce, and radicchio. Originating from the Provence region of France, this blend features different textures and flavors, making it a versatile choice for salads.
- In the late 20th century, it gained popularity in the United States.
- Harvest greens that are 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) long and snip them off 1 inch (2.5 cm.) above the soil line.
- And blends like mesclun have become popular around the world, with varieties using local plants appearing in Italy and across Asia, where one might find mizuna or tat-soi included.
- Understanding its origins and historical significance provides insight into its popularity today.
- The leaves need it to stay mild and grow quickly, and warming temperatures can dry the soil out fast.
- This makes it a fantastic base for salads without adding excessive calories.
Use the “cut and come again” method when plants reach a maximum of four to five inches tall. Slice the plants or loose leaves horizontally about an inch above the soil line. When you see a recipe call for “salad greens,” use mesclun greens for color and variation. Does the mix have spicy mustard, baby romaine, red lettuce, and tatsoi? Think about playing with flavors that compliment it, like chopped bacon with blue cheese, olives, sweet red peppers, and a sprinkling of mesculen lemon zest.
What Is Mesclun Salad Mix (& Is It The Same As Spring Mix)?
Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, this mix of greens supports overall well-being. Store mesclun lettuce in the refrigerator, ideally in a breathable bag to maintain freshness. I succeeded with my very first batch of mesclun as a beginner gardener. Each year since, I’ve planted at least a container and sometimes a whole patch of some salad mix, and my pleasure in the annual harvest has never diminished. You can also employ spring mix in place of a single baby green or different types of lettuce in your favorite recipes. When you’re growing a milder mix, you can use it to add nutrition, fresh flavor, and texture to everything from burgers and cheese sandwiches to avocado toast or pasta salad.
Spicy mixes are commonplace, as are combinations of tender young lettuces with other colorful leafy vegetables like spinach, beet greens, Swiss chard, arugula, endive, and radicchio. Lettuce and many other greens in mesclun mix grow best in cool weather. By making shade, you can extend the growing season in places where summers are hot. To do this, you can either plant where a tree or building will shade the plants in the afternoon or use a shade cloth. You can also use young collard greens, tatsoi, dandelion greens, and garden cress. Mesclun is just a combination of these four types of greens.
What Is Mesclun?
These nutrients support overall health, promote weight management, and improve digestive health, making mesclun a healthy choice for enhancing meals. In the late 20th century, it gained popularity in the United States. Chefs and restaurants began to embrace mesclun for its versatility. The mix is said to have originated in Nice, France with the word mesclun coming from a Niçois word for mix, mesclumo. Mesclun is grown and harvested so quickly that it doesn’t have serious pest or disease problems. However, you might notice aphids, slugs, and snails, as well as wildlife nibbling on the leaves.
Mesclun is often dressed with olive oil and flavored with fines herbes, garlic, and even anchovies. However, in the right conditions, you can grow mesclun indoors throughout the year. Additionally, mesclun includes minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, which support bone strength, oxygen transport, and muscle function. Mesclun lettuce boasts a rich heritage, deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of France. Understanding its origins and historical significance provides insight into its popularity today.
Consider including cheese, such as feta or goat cheese, to add tanginess. Incorporating mesclun into your meals enhances both nutrient intake and overall flavor. That way, I have a clean conscience when warm weather sets in and I must uproot and compost the plants – and then wait until early fall before I’ll have another harvest to gobble. Keep in mind, however, that washing before storage without drying thoroughly can lead to rot, and tender young greens are prone to bruising. Your best option is to eat these greens immediately following harvest.
The salad mix is an essential culinary ingredient for the keen home chef. Growing mesclun in the garden affords a healthful, convenient, and cost saving way to enjoy these greens. In addition to lettuce, it might have things like spinach, savory chicory, and sometimes even edible flowers.
