Teen Leaf lettuce is gaining attention as a versatile option in the salad greens market, positioned between traditional whole-head lettuce and the commonly recognized baby leaf mixes. Answering the demand in the market, BASF | Nunhems developed the StarSense™ product line, focused on crispy leaf varieties within the Teen Leaf segment. Regional Crop Lead for high-tech lettuce, Osvaldo Hagelsieb, shares more about the new product line and the opportunities it offers to growers.
"Teen Leaf lettuce strikes the perfect balance for consumers," says Osvaldo Hagelsieb, from BASF's vegetable seeds business, featuring the Nunhems brand. "It's large enough to be recognized as a true lettuce leaf, but small enough to be 'forkable' and convenient to eat. The uniformity in size and texture after a single cut at the base makes it a favorite for both consumers and foodservice."
Unlike baby leaf lettuce, which is harvested when the leaves are small and tender, Teen Leaf lettuce offers a slightly larger, crispier, and firmer texture while still being smaller than full-grown heads leaves. The unique attributes of these leaves make them convenient and enjoyable to eat, as they don't require any processing after harvest.
Gaining popularity
The surge in popularity of Teen Leaf lettuce, especially from Controlled Environment Agriculture systems such as hydroponics, can be attributed to its appeal in terms of freshness, flavor, and convenience.
"What we call the 'eating experience' is key to the rise of Teen Leaf lettuce," explains Osvaldo. He notes that several factors play into this improved experience, including freshness, crunchiness, and flavor, as well as product consistency and availability throughout the year. The product also comes with the advantage of no pesticide residue, reduced time from harvest to consumption, and a competitive price point compared to traditionally field-grown lettuce.
This shift has been especially noticeable in regions far from the main lettuce-producing areas like Arizona and California. CEA systems provide a fresher product that doesn't have to travel long distances. "Just a few years ago, I tried a hydroponic Teen Leaf lettuce from a high-density system, and I was blown away. It's a game-changer, especially for consumers far from traditional growing regions," says Osvaldo.
Breeding efforts
As a breeding company, BASF | Nunhems also recognized the opportunities in this product segment. Recently, the company launched the StarSense™ product line, focused on crispy leaf varieties within the Teen Leaf segment. According to Osvaldo, the StarSense™ varieties were preferred almost 2-to-1 in crunchiness and 5-to-1 in juiciness compared to other brands during a 2022 consumer panel in the U.S.
"StarSense™ is a promise to deliver remarkable eating experiences, with crispiness, good taste, and an appealing appearance. We believe this is what will drive continued growth in the Teen Leaf segment."
Behind the launch of these commercially available varieties is years of breeding efforts. BASF | Nunhems began the development of hydroponic varieties over 20 years ago, focusing on the specific needs of growers using hydroponic systems. According to Osvaldo, three key factors have driven the rise of Teen Leaf lettuce: technological advancements, entrepreneurial vision, and focused breeding programs.
"Technology development in high-tech greenhouses has laid the foundation for more sustainable, large-scale production," he says. Additionally, visionary growers and marketers have identified opportunities for CEA-grown lettuce to fill a niche in markets that previously depended on lettuce transported over long distances. "This has created a new eating experience for consumers."
Focused breeding efforts have also played a significant role. "Our breeding and selection process has evolved to provide varieties specifically adapted to high-intensity production systems. These varieties offer traits that benefit both growers and consumers, like high yield potential, improved shelf life, and an enhanced eating experience."
Time-consuming
Bringing a new Teen Leaf variety from concept to market takes time. "It can take five to seven years to develop a new variety," says Osvaldo, emphasizing the importance of trialing and data collection across various growing systems to ensure consistency in yield potential, texture, and flavor. However, efforts aren't limited to breeding. Scaling up seed production and ensuring high-quality seed enhancement are also key activities of lunching a new variety to market.
"We face the same learning curve as our growers in optimizing production, ensuring our varieties perform well in real-world, high-tech environments."
Growers' and consumers' needs
BASF | Nunhems works closely with growers to ensure their varieties meet both market demands and production requirements. Feedback from growers is crucial, allowing BASF | Nunhems to refine its breeding strategies based on real-world performance in terms of agronomy, yield, and consumer satisfaction. "Cooperation with growers and other industry players is indispensable to achieving our goals."
For more information:
BASF - Nunhems
Osvaldo Hagelsieb
Regional Crop Lead High tech Leafy Crops and Pickiling cucumber
[email protected]