Unboxed: 6 super seaweed products that bring the umami
Seaweed-based products have been gaining momentum in recent years as more and more brands find new and creative ways to harness the superfood power–and positive sustainability factor–of these sea vegetables.
Once you start in on a jar of these fermented sea salads, it’s impossible to stop. And don’t just take our word for it, New York Times food guru Melissa Clark recently said the same about the company’s Sea-Chi Kelp Kimchi, one of three products in this line that also includes a Fermented Seaweed Salad and Sea-beet Kraut. Atlantic Sea Farms works with local Maine fisherpeople to help them start their own kelp farms—from lending technical and start-up assistance, to providing the farmers with free seeds. The company has also just launched a new “Ocean Approved” quality seal to indicate that its products adhere to strict sustainability standards.
Akua is one of the latest companies to launch a version of kelp jerky, a gluten-free snack from the sea that offers 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein in every 1 oz serving, in addition to all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that these “superfood seagreens” have to offer. The product line, which came into being after the company raised more than $80,000 on Indiegogo, has a hearty, chewy texture and boasts three different flavor combinations: Sesame & Nori Sea Salt, Spicy Thai and Spirulina and Rosemary and Maple BBQ—proving the versatility of this marine product.
This Maine-based company is firmly established at the forefront of the edible seaweed movement, with a dozen-some products that range from seaweed sprinkles in shitake, spicy and bonito flavors, to various types of seaweed flakes and whole leaf products. And while this kelp purée (a blend of kelp, water and lemon juice) has been available for a while now, it continues to be a cutting-edge product, adding vitamins, minerals and wonderful umami complexity to any dish. The company is also riding high this year on the $100,000 prize it was awarded by Greenlight Maine, a statewide television show that promotes small businesses and start-ups in the region.
These crispy seaweed chips have been making the rounds this year, tantalizing palates with their salty and, depending on the variety, sweet and spicy goodness. The Spicy and Original tempura flavors are crunchy bites of tempura-fried roasted seaweed coated in different spices, while the simple nori strips are thicker than the typical roasted seaweed snacks while remaining crispy and highly addictive.
With a focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing and dealing directly with farmers around the world, Burlap & Barrel continues pushing the spice envelop with its line of more than thirty spices, including this Wild Icelandic Kelp. Harvested from the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean in Westfjords, Iceland, the kelp is dried and ground in a carbon-neutral facility that relies on geothermal energy. Shake liberally onto meats, fish, vegetables or seafood, or eat with your finger straight out of the jar.
This seaweed salad mix continues to gain traction among seaweed stalwarts and converts alike, offering consumers a safe and sustainable way to get their daily greens. This mixture of dried wakame, agar, suginori, tsunomata and mafunori is sourced from high-quality Korean seaweed. As an added bonus, the company donates 10% of its annual net profits to nonprofit organizations focused on improving the lives of children and the planet. Soak the dehydrated sea vegetables in water for seven minutes and then toss them onto your salad.
This seaweed salad mix continues to gain traction among seaweed stalwarts and converts alike, offering consumers a safe and sustainable way to get their daily greens. This mixture of dried wakame, agar, suginori, tsunomata and mafunori is sourced from high-quality Korean seaweed. As an added bonus, the company donates 10% of its annual net profits to nonprofit organizations focused on improving the lives of children and the planet. Soak the dehydrated sea vegetables in water for seven minutes and then toss them onto your salad.
Each season when Natural Products Expos East and West roll around, we cross our fingers that the predictions about the boom in seaweed-based products will come true.
After all, not only is seaweed rich in vitamins, minerals and protective antioxidants, but it's also a good source of protein, fiber and iodine. And although the vast majority of edible seaweed is produced in Asia, seaweed farming in places such as Maine has turned into an expanding regional business that helps rid the ocean of excess carbon dioxide and nitrogen, diversify coastlines and provide local fishermen and women with a means to deal with the effects of climate change on their traditional catch (lobster).
Even so, brands still face the challenge of how to make these marine vegetables appealing to American palates, meaning there's still plenty of room for the seaweed category to grow. Over the past couple of years, brands such as Blue Evolution, Ocean’s Halo and GimMe Snacks have helped get seaweed into stores and homes with their pastas, soups and snackable versions of these marine veggies, respectively.
The good news is that the natural foods industry at large seems to be catching on to the potential of this healthy sea vegetable, and we can only hope that the buzz around these products continues to grow.
As we prepare to discover new and exciting seaweed edibles at Natural Products Expo East this September, let’s take a look at some of the seaweed products that have made a splash over the past year.
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