The question of whether or not lettuce salad needs to be blanched depends on your personal taste and preference. Still, here are some suggestions that might help you:
First of all, we need to understand why lettuce is blanched. The main purpose of blanching is to remove impurities, odors and some pesticide residues in vegetables. During the blanching process, these impurities and residues are gradually removed as the water temperature increases.
However, if the lettuce has been adequately washed and treated before being chilled, blanching is not necessary. For example, if you buy fresh lettuce, the skin and roots have been removed, and they have been rinsed with water, then there is no need to blanch them again before cold dressing.
In addition, if you like the crunchy texture of lettuce, then you can also choose not to blanch. Because blanching will make the lettuce more soft and glutinous, and lose that unique crispy feeling.
However, if your lettuce is taken out of the fridge or you're concerned that it may have pesticide residues, then blanching may be a better option. During the blanching process, you can add some salt or oil, which will keep the lettuce crispier and will also help remove possible pesticide residues.
Overall, whether or not lettuce salad needs to be blanched depends on your personal preference and situation. If you like the crunchy texture of lettuce and are confident in food safety, you can do without blanching. But if you're concerned about pesticide residues or want to make your lettuce more hygienic, blanching may be a better option.