Some Oregon seaweed tastes like bacon – Evergreen (Beginner) (2024)

FAQs

Some Oregon seaweed tastes like bacon – Evergreen (Beginner)? ›

But one seaweed tastes like bacon! The red seaweed is called dulse. It tastes salty and sweet. It is a healthy sea vegetable.

Dulse is valued for a flavor called “umami”, a Japanese word that describes the so-called fifth flavor found in mushrooms, meat, cheese and, yes, bacon.

Dulse is a nutrient-dense, bright red marine algae, which has been well documented due to the bacon-like flavor of one specific variety when fried. Oregon State University has patented this particular strain, which has a high content of protein (20%), vitamins, and minerals.

What Is It? Dulse is a red algae with slender leaves that grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. It's new to us, but not to others: Centuries ago, people began harvesting dulse to use as a seasoning.

The Original Protein

Our delicious, crunchy, meaty bacon is made with protein from red seaweed. We have a new take on an ancient food source.

Dulse is the common name for a seaweed that has hints of bacon taste when cooked.

Seaweed is a vegetable. It is a plant in the ocean. But one seaweed tastes like bacon! The red seaweed is called dulse.

Seaweed has been used in the Japanese diet for centuries due to its health benefits and unique umami taste. People across the East Asian countries such as China and Korea have also been using edible algae in various dishes such as stews, soups, and salads.

Dulse - also known as Dillisk - is a red alga (Palmaria palmata) that is eaten on both sides of the North Atlantic. Generally only eaten in Ireland after it has been dried, it is frequently sold in small packets, most commonly in the west and north. It is also eaten in Canada, Iceland, Norway, France and Scotland.

One of the most popular edible seaweed species is Nori, thanks to its 'roll' in sushi. Nori has a milder flavour than other seaweeds, but still packs a punch with its vitamin and mineral content. It's a particularly good source of vitamin B12 – a vitamin which is often absent in land plants[iii].

Is seaweed healthier than potato chips? ›

' A much healthier alternative is seaweed snacks – they are also salty and crispy, but give you a lot more bang for your buck when it comes to nutrition. Seaweed snacks are a powerhouse of nutrients such as protein, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and calcium, while providing very few calories.

Seaweeds are rich in antioxidants, anti-viral, anti-parasitic & anti-fungal properties. New York University's Langone Medical Centre found that snacking on seaweed could give your liver an antioxidant boost as well as decrease fat deposits in the liver.

In fact, as kale finds itself in third place on the Dirty Dozen pesticide list for its pesticide concentration, kelp, a type of seaweed with high amounts of magnesium, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, phytonutrients, amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, is fast replacing kale as an important addition to a healthy diet ...

Key Takeaways. Seaweed's taste is influenced by its absorption of compounds from the ocean, similar to fish. Unique amino acids in seaweed contribute to its 'umami' flavor, reminiscent of seafood. The processing and preparation of seaweed can modify its fish-like taste.

Seaweed snacks also produces the taste sensation Umami. Which is a unique taste that is somewhere between savory and bitter on the tongue, but adds a real depth of flavor to most dishes.

My favorite, and the hero of this bacon love story is Smoked Spanish Sweet Paprika.