Way to check Romaine quality before purchase?

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IronDioPriest

Assistant Cook
Joined
Apr 30, 2017
Messages
12
Location
St. Michael, MN
Romaine lettuce is a staple in our house. My wife and I both prefer "Hearts of Romaine" that usually come in a three-pack, as opposed to a full leafy head, because we both prefer the "white parts" from lower on the head, because those parts are crispier, more water-laden, and more substantive.

When the leaves of a head of Romaine are densely packed together, it seems that more often than not, this will yield the quality of lettuce we prefer. However, occasionally, instead of nice crunchy white, the interior will be paper-thin, yellow leaves that are all crinkly and bunched together. This lettuce is almost always bitter and always unsubstantive.

My question is, basically, is there a way to tell at the store what the quality of the romaine is? I only ask because other produce has "squeeze" methods, or ways to tell by appearance, what the quality of the produce is before you buy.
 
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