Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce, originally known as Crisphead lettuce, is a staple vegetable known for its dense heads and high water content. The name 'Iceberg' originated in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It earned this moniker because growers in California would ship the lettuce buried under large piles of crushed ice to keep it fresh during long transcontinental train journeys to the East Coast. Consumers would see the ice-covered crates arriving and began calling it 'iceberg' lettuce.

Today, the product is grown globally in temperate climates. Dominant producers include the United States (particularly California and Arizona), Spain, and Mexico. Ownership of the 'brand' is non-proprietary, as it refers to a specific cultivar of lettuce. However, large agricultural conglomerates like Dole Food Company, Taylor Farms, and Fresh Del Monte Produce are the primary commercial entities that grow, package, and distribute it globally.