We pick after you order, pre-cool and pack the lettuce, then send it by cold chain, refrigerated all the way to your door. We deliver to the main island of Taiwan only, and it usually arrives in 1–2 days after shipping. It sounds like a lot of effort, but the reason is simple.
Is lettuce still alive after it is picked?
Yes. Leafy greens keep breathing after harvest, and the warmer they are, the faster they breathe, so they go soft and dry out sooner. It is like ice cream in summer, when the shop hands you an insulated bag. Lettuce hates heat too, but it does not melt in a minute. It goes soft slowly, which is easier to miss.
What do pre-cooling and cold chain each do?
Pre-cooling means taking the heat out right after picking. Cold chain means keeping it cold through storage and delivery afterward. Skip pre-cooling and the heat is still inside the leaves. Break the cold chain halfway and the earlier work is wasted. We do both.
What should I do when it arrives?
Do not leave the package by the door. Open it right away and get it into the fridge. The fridge, not the freezer, because frozen leaves go mushy when they thaw. For how to store it, see recipes and storage.
Typhoons, long holidays and other things outside our control can delay delivery. If the box did not feel cold or the leaves have a problem, take a photo and contact us. Delivery details are on how cold-chain delivery works. To judge the lettuce you receive, see is your lettuce good.
Frequently asked questions
How is pre-cooling different from putting lettuce in the fridge?
Pre-cooling takes the heat out right after harvest. A fridge is one link in keeping it cold afterward. Both are part of the cold chain.
What happens if the cold chain is broken?
Once the temperature rises, lettuce goes soft faster and quality drops. How much depends on how long and how warm.
Can I freeze lettuce?
We do not recommend it. After thawing, the leaves go mushy and are not good raw. Please keep it in the fridge.