What Is Edible Seaweed? 7 Types of Seaweed and 4 Seaweed Recipes

Edible seaweed, also called sea vegetables, are aquatic plants known as algae (either red algae, green algae, or brown algae) that grow in the ocean. Seaweed contains amino acids called glutamates which have a salty, rich, savory taste known as umami. Seaweed is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, especially Japanese food.

Seaweed can be found in oceans and marine environments around the world. While some seaweed is harvested directly from its natural environs, seaweed farming produces much of the world’s aquatic crops today.

Some farmers use saltwater tanks to grow seaweed. Most others have the equivalent of garden plots out at sea. These farmers cultivate seaweed on ropes to closely monitor the growth and promote a healthy harvest by removing any undesirable plants or marine life.

As an edible ingredient, seaweed is often called a superfood. In terms of health benefits, it is packed with minerals and antioxidants, as well as vitamins A, C, E, and B12.

Soft and pliable in the water, seaweed is most often dried for preservation, requiring most to be rehydrated in liquid, like water or broth, before eating. Here are some of the most popular types of seaweed used in cooking.

1. 1. Wakame. While best known for providing a habitat for a variety of marine life species in the shallow, coastal waters around the world, kelp (laminaria) forests also provide an edible seaweed species known as wakame. Wakame, also known as sea mustard, is a dark green seaweed most often found in miso soup. It has a sweet taste, a silky smooth texture, and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
2. 2. Kombu. Kombu is also a type of kelp and one of the most popular edible seaweeds in East Asia. Hokkaido, the largest island in Japan, is one of the largest producers of kombu, but it also plentiful along the California coast. Cooked in water with bonito (skipjack tuna) flakes, kombu is the main ingredient of dashi, the soup stock that is the foundation of many Japanese dishes, like miso soup and ramen. Kombu is also enjoyed on its own, softened in hot water and served with mirin (Japanese rice wine) and soy sauce. Kombu is also steeped in water to make a Japanese tea known as kombucha, which is different from the fermented drink popular in the U.S.
3. 3. Nori. Nori, also sometimes known as purple laver, is a deep purplish-red seaweed that turns a dark green when dried. It is roasted and pressed into dried nori sheets, similar to the paper-making process. It is the most well-known type of seaweed in the western world: Japanese restaurants use nori to wrap sushi rolls and onigiri (rice balls). While some seaweeds need to be reconstituted in water, nori sheets are used dry. Aonori is the powdered form, used as a condiment for flavoring traditional Japanese dishes like okonomiyaki (pancakes) and yakisoba (buckwheat noodles).
4. 4. Dulse. Dulse is a reddish seaweed from the colder waters of the northern Atlantic and northern Pacific oceans where it grows attached to rocks. First harvested in Scotland and Iceland over a thousand years ago, dulse has a soft, leathery texture. It has a taste reminiscent of bacon and can also be cooked up in oil until crispy, making it a popular bar snack in Canada. Sold in dry flakes, shredded, or ground into a powder, dulse has a wide array of culinary uses. It is used in soups, baked into chips, even used as a meat seasoning. The Irish use dulse to make their famous soda bread.
5. 5. Hijiki. Hijiki is a brown seaweed that turns black when dried and looks like little, thin twigs. It is taken from the rocky shorelines of China, Japan, and Korea. Hijiki is first boiled then dried after it is harvested from the ocean. It is often cooked in stir-fries or served with fish.
6. 6. Irish moss. Irish moss is a purple and red alga native to the Atlantic shorelines of the U.S. and Europe. Irish moss resembles miniature trees, with branches fanning out from the stem. Irish moss can be found in desserts like tapioca and ice cream because of its quantity of carrageen—sugar molecules (polysaccharides) that are used as thickening agents.
7. 7. Sea lettuce. From the genus ulva, this edible blue-green algae is primarily found along coastlines. Also called green nori.

Many popular seaweeds can be found in Asian food stores, and often in the specialty aisles of bigger grocery markets. Start adding a little superfood to your diet with these simple seaweed recipes.

1. 1. Seaweed salad. This tangy salad uses thin noodles of wakame. Soak the wakame in water to hydrate. Drain the seaweed and remove any excess water by squeezing it. Cut the wakame into long, thin strips and put in a bowl with cilantro, shredded carrot, and chopped scallions. In a separate bowl, combine rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, a sprinkle of sugar, red pepper flakes, and ginger. Pour the dressing over the wakame salad and top with sesame seeds.
2. 2. Dashi. This traditional Japanese broth can be the starter for so many meals, like ramen or tsukudani. Rehydrate kombu seaweed in a pot of water for half an hour. Then, put it on the stove at medium-high and remove from the heat when it boils. Take the kombu out, add bonito flakes, bring to a boil, then simmer for five minutes. Strain the liquid through a colander.
3. 3. Tsukudani. Another Japanese staple, tsukudani is seaweed heavily flavored in liquids and served over rice. Use nori or kombu for this recipe. Rehydrate the seaweeds first, dry the sheets, then cut into thin strips. Add the seaweed to a pot of dashi and warm over medium heat, stirring as it cooks. When it thickens, after about five minutes, add soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, and sake. Heat until most of the liquid is absorbed. Serve over rice topped with sesame seeds.
4. 4. Seaweed smoothie. There is an infinite number of ways to make a smoothie. Here is a basic recipe that includes seaweed for an extra healthy boost. In a blender, combine almond milk, frozen bananas, strawberries, spinach, and your choice of seaweed, like a scoop of ground alaria or Irish moss. A bit of agave syrup will sweeten it up, too. Blend and serve.

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