Seaweed is truly a superfood. Historically humans have used seaweed as food, medicine, fertiliser, and fodder for upwards of 20,000 years.

Seaweed is nutrient dense, high in a variety of vitamins and minerals. It is high in iodine, which can support thyroid health. It is also high in calcium, magnesium and potassium, which supports heart health. Seaweed can also be high in iron, which contributes to healthy blood and circulation.

Seaweed comes in a variety of forms, from sheets for sushi to dried strands like spaghetti, and flakes for sprinkling on top of your meal. At Indigo Herbs we have almost every variety (aside from fresh) to choose from!

Below is a list of the seaweed products we’ve got in our shop. This doesn’t include seaweed/algae powders, tinctures or supplements. he instructions following are specifically for how to reconstitute dried seaweed to prepare it for cooking.

Dried Seaweed for Cooking and Salads

These dried seaweeds need to be soaked to be reconstituted before being used. They can be incorporated into soups, stews and sauces, or simply used as a salad. Seaweed like Irish Moss can be used to thicken soups, sauces and smoothies. Check out How To Prepare Irish Moss for detailed instructions.

Arame - salads, stir-fry
Clearspring Arame Sea Vegetables

Bladderwrack - stocks, soups
Bladderwrack Cut Pieces

Dulse - salads, stir-fry, soups
Organic Pepper Dulse Seaweed
Cornish Seaweed Organic Dulse 20g
Cornish Seaweed Organic Dulse Flakes 40g

Gutweed - soups, stews
Organic Gutweed Seaweed

Hijiki - salads, stir-fry, soups
Clearspring Hijiki Sea Vegetables

Kombu - soups, beans
Organic Kombu Seaweed
Clearspring Kombu Sea Vegetable

Sea Greens - salads, stir-fry
Cornish Seaweed Organic Sea Greens

Sea Salad - salads
Organic Sea Salad Seaweed
Cornish Seaweed Organic Sea Salad

Sea Spaghetti - soups, stews
Organic Sea Spaghetti Seaweed
Atlantic Kitchen Organic Sea Spaghetti
Cornish Seaweed Organic Sea Spaghetti

Wakame - salads, soups
Organic Wakame Seaweed
Atlantic Kitchen Wakame
Clearspring Organic Atlantic Wakame Sea Vegetables

Seaweed for Sushi Rolls

Clearspring Japanese Nori (Untoasted)
Clearspring Japanese Nori (Toasted)

Seaweed for Toppings or as a Condiment

Clearspring Wakame Instant Flakes
Cornish Seaweed Organic Mixed Seaweed Flakes
Cornish Seaweed Organic Kelp Flakes
Cornish Seaweed Organic Seaweed Salt

Ingredients

Dried seaweed of your choice
Warm or hot water to cover the seaweed
Your favourite dressing if using the seaweed as a salad

Equipment

A bowl for soaking
A colander or sieve

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl add dried seaweed of your choice – you can even use a combination!
Add enough hot water to the seaweed to cover and set aside to soak for 30 minutes. It will smell quite strong during this process but will reduce once you’re finished preparing it.
After about 30 minutes, seaweed will have softened and will be ready to eat. Drain through a mesh sieve and rinse with cold water a few times.
If you’re using it for a salad, place back into the mixing bowl and add your favourite dressing. Toss a few times to ensure seaweed is thoroughly coated.
If you’re incorporating the seaweed into a cooked dish you can add it now. You can sauté it with vegetables, boil it, simmer it in sauces.