THE Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) has introduced hydroponically grown lettuce and leafy greens to its produce line. All of the products are being grown in a 65,000 square foot shade house on BAMSI’s North Andros campus, and several red and green lettuce varieties are being offered. Currently Concept, Tropicana, Lollo Rossa, Romaine, Butterhead, Magenta and Red Fire varieties are being offered along with other leafy products like basil, arugula, Swiss chard, and kale, and new seasonal varieties are being introduced all the time.
These lettuce varieties are excellent for use in fresh salads and their tastes can be compared to mild romaine lettuce flavor and a flavor blend of romaine and iceberg lettuces, respectively. A reliable and consistent supply of these high-quality lettuce products and other leafy greens are available and other gourmet products will also be introduced to the BAMSI line shortly. Because the products are being produced hydroponically, growing time is significantly shorter than would be required in the ground, making it easy to quickly provide a healthy and reliable product. Beginning in March check out the BAMSI store to experience these tasty varieties.
Reasons to choose BAMSI hydroponically grown greens:
There is no use of toxic pesticides and herbicides, therefore these will not be present on the final products. This provides a more nutritious and healthier product!
Because our products are grown in water, we control and ensure that they receive the highest quality of nutritional elements for superior growth and taste.
Our preparation and packing methods ensure that our products remain fresh longer within consumers’ refrigerators compared to soil grown lettuce.
For consumers who are concerned about the environment, hydroponic farming uses only 1/10th of the water required for soil-based farming.
The traditional agro-chemical run-off from soil based farming that impacts the environment is eliminated.
A sampling of some of the different lettuce varieties currently being offered by BAMSI:
Concept Lettuce - a green summer crisp lettuce with open heads. The leaves are a mix of romaine and a greenleaf, and are arranged in a whorl, giving it a vase-like shape. Leaves are thick, juicy, and flavorful.
Tropicana Lettuce - a dark green, frilly leafy lettuce great for salad mixes to add a gourmet touch.
Lolla Rossa- Frilly red loose-leaf lettuce. Leaves have a crisp, semi-succulent, hardy texture and ruffled tips. Lollo Rosso's flavor is bold, slightly bitter and nutty, ideal for adding a bright gourmet touch to salads. High in vitamins A and C.
Jericho Lettuce- A traditional romaine variety and a taste favorite! Bright green leaves with a silky texture and sweet, flavorful crunch.
Butterhead Lettuce - a bright green variety with broad crisp leaves. Ideal for lettuce wraps and for topping sandwiches.
Red Fire Lettuce - Frilly leaves with festive red color.
Magenta Lettuce – a red summer crisp with good flavor. Shiny, slightly puckered, red-tinged leaves form a whorled, conical head with a crispy, green heart.
Yolanda Deleveaux
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute
