Sugar Kelp (Laminaria Saccharina)

Rich in vitamins & minerals  (A, B12, B6, C, Iron, Calcium & Riboflavin) Healthy low fat snack - Aids weight loss - Helps fight against disease causing free radicals

Sugar kelp is closely related to Saccharina japonica, the (farmed) seaweed basis of nearly all Japanese dashi, and can be used in similar ways – adding umami to soups, stews and stocks. However, dried dulse and laver exude more glutamates by weight than sugar kelp (read an in-depth study into this here). As they are better eating as vegetables too, I recommend using them in soups and stews, though there is no harm in adding sugar kelp to the pot in the same way as you might add bay leaves. It contains mannitol, a naturally occurring sugar that will add sweetness. Deep fried sugar kelp make excellent crisps, though I recommend a least partially drying it first to avoid dangerous fat-spitting! Younger, thinner fronds make great fat-free crisps – just fully dehydrate and lightly toast in the oven or a dry frying pan before serving. If you sprinkle them with seasoning prior to dehydration, they go to the next level. I like a combination of dehydrated fermented wild garlic, powdered dehydrated cep or smoked hen of the woods, and powdered dehydrated pepper dulse