Wakame Seaweed 

Wakame Seaweed grows in abundance worldwide, but at the moment it's only really popular in Japan. We are hoping that this will change, because wakame is really a great plant. It is a typical component of miso soup in Japan, where it is valued for its nutritional properties. Wakame seaweed is typically supplied dried, and is reconstituted by soaking in water, or by simply adding to soup.

Wakame seaweed is particularly valued for its mineral content including calcium, iodine, thiamine and niacin. It is widely believed in Japan that wakame seaweed can help to prevent hair loss. Whilst this has not been conclusively verified, it is certainly true that the mineral content of wakame, particularly the iodine, does play a role in safeguarding the body against deficiencies that can lead to hair loss in some people.

Wakame seaweed has also been praised for its high omega-3 content and very low calorie content (less than 120 cal/100g dried). It has a high protein content (over 13%) too, which makes it a great nutritional supplement for vegetarians.

As well as using wakame seaweed in soups, you can also add it to stir-fries. It is usually best to rinse wakame seaweed before use, to wash off the natural sea-salt that usually accumulates during the drying process.

Product Code: SWD15

Price: £5.29   (or buy 3 or more for £5.03 each)

Technical and nutritional summary of wakame seaweed

Wakame seaweed is known by scientists as Undaria pinnatifida. It is high in an omega-3 fatty acid known as eicosapentaenoic acid, as well as the minerals calcium, iodine, thiamine, niacin, magnesium and iron. Like most seaweeds, it is a good source of protein and is very low in calories.

How to cook Wakame Seaweed

Wakame seaweed is supplied dried, and needs to be soaked or cooked in water before use. It is usually best to rinse wakame seaweed before use in order to remove the sea salt, though the wakame flakes do not need to be rinsed. Wakame softens within 2 or 3 minutes and is ready to eat, though will continue to soften if cooked for longer (10-15 minutes).

Wakame seaweed is a form of kelp, and is similar to kombu seaweed, though softer. It is quite full-flavoured and works well in spicy dishes, stir-fries and soups. You may like to chop it up into small pieces, as it comes in strips.

Wakame seaweed is considered a weed

Wakame seaweed is so abundant, that it is considered a weed in some parts of the world. For example, it has spread all around New Zealand. It is listed as one of the world's most invasive species on the global invasive species database. Because the wakame that we sell is wild-caught straight from the sea, it could be said that eating wakame is good for the environment!

Wakame seaweed and weight loss

Research has indicated that seaweed may help tackle obesity. The article describes how a team of researchers at Newcastle University have discovered that alginate - a fibrous substance found within some types of seaweed - can help to stop the gut from digesting fat.