Which Seaweeds Are Edible?

Seaweed is macrothallic and multicelullar algae rich in minerals and vitamins since it absorbs them from the water where it lives most of its life. Being rich in vitamins and minerals, some seaweeds are also edible. They enjoy wide popularity as diet foods since they are calorie free and rich in fiber. Edible seaweeds consist of hijiki (brown algae), mozuku (algae like seaweed), amanori (red laver), dried kelp, wakame, dried laver, and agar-agar.

While wakame is sold as salt cured and boiled, others like kelp, green laver, hijiki and laver are usually sold as dried foodstuff. Other seaweeds that are edible include kjellmaniella, enteromorpha and monostroma. Japan is one of the largest exporters of edible seaweed. The main export markets for seaweed include Taiwan, Netherlands, Vietnam, China and the US.