In Europe, Romaine lettuce is called "COS". It is named after the Greek island of "KOS" in the Aegean Sea. Romaine was named by the Romans who beleived it had healing properties. The Emporer Caeser put up a statue hailing lettuce because he believed that it cured his illness.
Although often dismissed as being mostly water, leafy salad greens contain valuable amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and have an important advantage, when compared to other foods, in that they are nearly always eaten raw.
Health benefits: Help reduce risk of cancer, can reduce risk
of heart disease, stroke and cataracts, help to prevent spina bifida and anaemia, aid
digestion and liver health, and may ease nervous insomnia.
Fresh salads are best prepared as closely as possible to the time when they will be eaten. Exposure of cut surfaces to air quickly diminishes both the eating quality and nutritional value of lettuce and salad leaves. Leaves should be torn rather than cut, and dry if dressing is to coat them well.
Storing
Store salad leaves, wrapped or covered, in the fridge which protects them from light and
heat, and use as quickly as possible.