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. Salad mesclun is harvested with the “cut and come again” method. 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. Some of the greens in meslun mix come back more thickly such as the baby lettuces.

Because of this, mixes of young greens have likely always been popular, especially among pregnant women. The mix often includes leaf lettuce, arugula, endive, frisée, mizuma, oak leaf, mâche or lamb’s lettuce, radicchio, sorrel, chervil, groundsel, and dandelion. Mesclun lettuce is more than just a salad ingredient; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh from the market or growing it in your own garden, this delightful mix can elevate any meal.

Be sure to sow in your zone with enough time for the seeds to germinate and for the plants to grow to a few inches before the average first frost date in your area. You may come across a four- or six-inch container of young mesclun seedlings for sale at a farmers market or local nursery, to transplant into the garden or a container. Just about any grocery store will have lettuce blends, though they aren’t always called mesclun. Different kinds of mixed greens are used in foods all over the world. For instance, “misticanza” in Italian is the same as “mesclun.” In Asia, baby tatsoi, bok choy, and mizuna are paired with bok choy and mizuna. Mesclun mix is celebrated for its vibrant colors, diverse flavors, and versatility.

Growing Tips

Mesclun performs best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. You can also consider starting seeds indoors for an early crop if your climate allows. Mesclun has a flavor affinity for anchovies, cucumber, fresh herbs, lemon, mustard, raw onion, tart fruits, tomato, and vinaigrette. Top mesclun with vinegar or vinaigrette dressing or plain or flavored mayonnaise. Mesclun will keep in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Mix mesclun with proteins like grilled chicken or chickpeas for a filling meal.

Nutritional Benefits of Mesclun Mix

The blend showcases the region’s agricultural heritage and highlights local flavors. Mesclun is a mix of small, young, different salad greens from Provence, France. The traditional mix includes chervil, arugula, leafy lettuces, and endive. The term “mesclun” may also refer to a mix that includes some or all of these four. Mesclun, or mesclun greens, refers to a mixture of young lettuces.

Mesclun Greens – What Is Mesclun And How To Grow It

It’s the basic mix of greens in your local salad bar, on a menu at a restaurant, and in the produce aisle at the grocery store. The percentage of each leaf varies based on whoever has created the blend, but it’s always composed of the most tender leaves. 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. Mesclun, or mesclun greens, refers to mixture of young lettuces.

By growing it at home, you can choose which plants go into the mix and make sure it tastes how you want it to. Farmers cultivated assorted salad greens to add diversity to meals. The term “mesclun” comes from the Provençal word “mesclado,” meaning “to mix.” This mix features a variety of greens, such as arugula, mâche, and radicchio.

You might be surprised to find that the secret often lies in the greens. Mesclun lettuce, a delightful mix of young salad greens, adds flavor and texture to your meals. In my experience, not having to plan to create a spring mix from individual crops encourages me to eat more fresh salad. It also helps me harvest and use or gift the greens before the plants bolt and the leaves become bitter or hot. Today, this concept of a leafy greens mix that grows in cool weather and heralds the arrival of spring has expanded in its definition. Home and farm-to-table chefs, and any number of restaurants, often feature mesclun on the menu.

• Chefs embraced its versatility, crafting elaborate dishes that showcased the unique flavors of the assorted greens.
• The top of the cactus above ground, or the crown, consists of disc-shaped buttons that are cut from the roots and dried.
• 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.
• Place a handful onto a burger instead of the usual lettuce leaves to make the dish more colorful and nutritious, or lay a piece of grilled salmon on a bed of mesclun to add flavor.

More health-conscious consumers appreciate its nutritional benefits, encouraging farmers to grow a broader range of greens. This evolution caters to changing tastes and dietary preferences while maintaining the essence of mesclun. Start harvesting the baby greens in earnest about 30 days after the plants have begun sprouting. You can pick the outer leaves first if you prefer, using scissors to cut them about an inch from the soil level and leaving the inner leaves to keep growing. Once you’ve gotten into the habit of harvesting these fresh baby greens at their peak of tender flavor, you’ll find dozens of ways to enjoy mesclun mix.

What Is Mesclun Lettuce?

Mesclun mixes usually include a variety of lettuces and European and Asian salad greens that grow under similar conditions, have similar rates of maturity, and taste good together. 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.

Think about playing with flavors that compliment it, like chopped bacon with blue cheese, olives, sweet red peppers, and a sprinkling of lemon zest. Mesclun is the French word for “mixture.” Mesclun is a mix of tender, young salad green leaves. Incorporating these varieties enhances the taste and visual appeal of mesclun mix salads, making every bite more enjoyable. Mesclun lettuce offers a variety of nutritional benefits, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious diners.

What Can I Grow Lettuce In: Best Containers and Tips for a Thriving Garden

I aim to enjoy all I can while these baby veggies are in season, some of the first to arrive on my plate each year, fresh from the garden. You don’t want to ask the plants to regrow more than twice, though, or the resulting produce may be tough or start to develop a bitter or spicy flavor. Begin harvesting about 30 days after germination, when the leaves are about three inches long. All of these leafy greens have shallow roots and should not be subjected to competition for water or nutrients, if you can help it. Also make sure to use a fertile potting mix, one that’s designed for container vegetables, instead of filling the pot with ordinary garden soil. Keep them moist until they germinate, which usually takes about seven to 14 days, depending on the varieties in the mix and the weather.

For home gardeners, there are multiple advantages to growing leafy greens in combination, and then harvesting them young when they are at their most tender. By following these tips, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful mesclun mix lettuce straight from your garden. In French cuisine, mesclun became popular for its vibrant colors and textures.

Ways to Use Mesclun in Cooking

Some types will last up to a week, but most can be made in a few days. Mesclun mix is versatile and can be used in salads, sandwiches, and as garnishes. Its variety of flavors and textures adds interest to any dish, allowing you to experiment with combinations to create delicious meals. Mesclun mix features a diverse range of young greens, adding color and flavor to your plate.

Rainy weather that creates a soggy bed in areas that don’t drain well can lead to fungal disease in your crop. In containers filled with fresh potting mix, you won’t have to worry about this – we’ll cover that option below. The seeds won’t germinate if the temperature is higher than 80°F, and they won’t grow without becoming hot or bitter once the temps consistently exceed 70°F. Our restaurant is fully booked for this date and time, however you can add yourself to our standby list here and we will contact you if a table becomes available. Mama knows that sometimes you travel to work, and sometimes you work to travel. There are six Ateliers (meeting rooms) here, a shared break-out space featuring pool tables and table football and all the tech that you could need.

Translated from the Portuguese verb mesclar, the word mesclun means to mix thoroughly. In this case it refers to tender leafy greens and can include arugula, endive, chervil, young red and green lettuces, baby spinach, mustard greens, frisée, mizuna, young Swiss chard, radicchio and sorrel. Young collard greens, tatsoi, dandelion greens, and garden cress may also be used. 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 mesculen an arugula, chervil, oak leaf, and mache.