3 Tasty Types of Brown Algae in Northern California
In Northern California, you can find several different types of red, green, and brown algae. Below, we highlight some of the best-tasting brown algae because seaweed foragers often overlook them. That’s a mistake because the biggest and fastest growing seaweeds fall into the brown algae category.
At first glance, these species might not look very appealing to eat; however, a lot of them are actually delicious. Plus, you can snack on seaweed without feeling the least bit guilty! Eating brown algae is good for thyroid health and contains ample amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, and dietary fiber. Let’s take a look at some of the best-tasting edible brown seaweeds in Northern California.
Bullwhip Kelp
One of the best edible seaweeds out there is Bullwhip Kelp. This is in part because of its culinary versatility. While many types of seaweed are solely harvested for their blades, Bullwhip Kelp has large stipes and bulbs that can make for some pretty exciting snacks, thrown into a soup, or even pickled.
If you love a salty snack, try heading out to the coast to find some of this delicious seaweed! Due to global warming and ocean acidification, bullwhip kelp is becoming very rare in California. If you do harvest, best to either only cut a few of the blades (the flat leaves on the top) or harvest plants that have washed up on shore. Cutting live bull kelp from the ocean really isn’t sustainable unfortunately…
Kombu
This kind of edible kelp is one of the most commonly eaten types of brown algae in the world, specifically in East Asia. In Japan, Kombu is sold as a dried snack (either in sheets or shredded) and also pickled in vinegar.
Furthermore, this type of seaweed is eaten in fresh sashimi. Like other types of seaweed, Kombu is incredibly nutritious. Next time you are by the sea, keep your eyes open for this flavorful superfood.
Bladder Chain Kelp
Bladder Chain Kelp can grow to be as long as 8 meters tall! This type of kelp runs all the way down the coast of Northern California. You can use nutritious Bladder Chain Kelp to create all sorts of seaweed-based dishes, including seaweed salads. They are easy to spot since they are held upright by gas-filled bladders that help it float in the saltwater.
These are just 3 of the 1,500-2,000 known types of brown algae worldwide. If you are located in Northern California, give Bullwhip Kelp, Kombu, and Bladder Chain Kelp a try. Foraging for seaweed can quickly become a favorite pastime!