Seaweed SuperfoodsSargassum Benefits
Sargassum is a brown seaweed originating in Japan, but found in many coastal waters around the world. The fronds typically grow to a length of 1-3 meters.
It is frequently used as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent, however it can also be found in traditional Chinese medicineas a tea used for reducing phlegm buildup.
Rockweed Benefits
Ascophyllum nodosum is a large brown seaweed found predominantly in the North Atlantic. It is a slower growing seaweed with a fairly long lifespan.
It can be found in a variety of forms ranging from powdered leaves to supplement pills.
Giant Kelp Benefits
Giant Kelp is a species of brown seaweed found mostly along the eastern Pacific Ocean. It can grow up to 125 feet in length at a rate of 2 feet per day! These large strands form kelp forests, which are home to many varied sea creatures.
It can be found in a variety of forms ranging from powdered leaves to supplement pills.
Atlantic Wakame Benefits
Alaria Esculenta is one of twelve species of Alaria that may grow along the British Isles. It is predominantly grown in the Atlantic waters off the coasts of Scotland, Ireland, Greenland, and Iceland.
Similar in composition and taste to Japanese Wakame, Alaria Esculenta has become known as the Atlantic Wakame. It can be purchased in sheet, leaf, or powdered form.
Bull Kelp Benefits
Durvillaea Antarctica is a strong bull kelp species found in the waters off the coasts of Chile and New Zealand. It is different from many seaweed species in that it doesn’t actually have air bladders, but rather a honeycomb structure to provide both durability and buoyancy.
There are few suppliers in the U.S. however many are available overseas.
Arame Benefits
Arame is grown predominantly in the Asian Pacific areas, particularly around South Korea and Japan. Arame is known as a specialty in Japanese and other asian cuisine. It tends to have a mild, semi-sweet flavor.
Kombu Benefits
Kombu is a Japanese native seaweed that is now one of the two most consumed species of seaweed in Asia. Most of the Kombu is grown for alginates on rope farms in the Asian Pacific, however there are still several health benefits gained from eating Kombu.
It can be found in a variety of forms ranging from powdered leaves to supplement pills.
Nori Benefits
Nori is the single largest type of edible seaweed consumed, accounting for nearly $1 billion in sales annually around the globe. It is originally a Japanese seaweed (hence Nori), but is now available in Korea as Gin and in Ireland and Wales as Laver. For our purposes we will expressly call it Nori.
Generally available as sheets in the U.S. this seaweed can be used in sheet form as a seasoned snack, or it can be rehydrated and used in typical cooking applications.
Wakame Benefits
Wakame is known as the “woman’s seaweed” because it has been shown to significantly reduce bloating. It is a brown seaweed found in Japan. Tasting very similar to spinach, this seaweed is generally purchased already dried and can be rehydrated by soaking in water for a short amount of time or by leaving out in a moist area overnight.