Eat C-weed!

This is a blog about finding out whether I should start with a business in seaweed. I'm sharing personal experiences and possibly some funny facts. I'm starting this blog with zero knowledge about the topic.

[eatcweed-blog]

Is Omega 3 the obvious business opportunity?

Already back in 2011 the message was out that in this year (2013) fish oil shortages would threaten Omega 3 levels in farmed salmon and trout. This is now reconfirmed by fish food producer Nutreco in it's annual report. The Nutreco warning means we're probably entering a period of peak-salmon prices!

Seaweed can offer a sustainable solution for omega 3 production, allowing the fishes now used for oil production,  such as anchovies, can be allowed to reach their healthy reproduction levels.

Ok, I must admit it. Starting to write my business plan only now is a little late. But the again, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[eatcweed-blog]

Seaweed gives you wings!?

I found an interesting research paper on the INTECH JOURNALS website, stating that 'all essential amino acids were detected in the seaweed species tested and red algae species featured uniquely high concentrations of taurine when compared to brown algae varieties (Dawczynski et al., 2007).'

Taurine has several interesting effects, like reduction of obesity and hypertension.

Does this mean I can create Red Bull-like energy drinks from seaweed? To be investigated...

[eatcweed-blog]

This is a blog post that inspires me to harvest seaweed and make a good avocado-kelp salad.

...If I could. Unfortunately there is no rocky coastal line in the Netherlands. *Note to self: #findalternative

Here is a copy/paste of the recipe:

KELP AND AVOCADO SALAD

Ingredients:

3 kelp blades, your choice of oil for frying, 1t tbs sesame seeds, 3 avocados, salt and pepper to taste, half a lemon.

Method:

Cut strips of kelp and quick fry in a hot pan until they turn green. Take them out and put them on paper towel to drain. Put them in a salad bowl and shake over the sesame seeds. Toss until coated. Chop up the avo and add to the bowl. Squeeze in the lemon juice and season to taste. Decorate with edible flowers. Great as a sandwich filler!

[eatcweed-blog]

Tags so far..

[eatcweed-blog]

Interesting documentary on a Dutch seaweed cutter - Melk en Honing: ma 25 nov 2013, 19:24

Link is unfortunately only accessible in the Netherlands.

Most interesting facts in this documentary are: 

- Knotswier (Ascophyllum nodosum) is mainly used in the oyser business for conservation and decoration purposes, but can be eaten.

- sea lettuce grows near Yrseke in the Netherlands, and  requires a water temperature above 15 degrees celcius;

- Rood hoorntjeswier (Ceramium rubrum) is a tasty local species, comparable to Kortarige zeekraal (Salicornia europaea).

- A permit is required to harvest wild seaweed in the Oosterschelde, as it has a National Park status;

- Wrapping a fish in seaweed and putting it in the oven - no seasoning required - makes a tasty and healthy meal.

[eatcweed-blog]

Nutritious and delicious

Seaweeds are Nutritious and delicious! What’s amazing is that the minerals absorbed from the ocean are the same minerals found in the blood of a healthy human being! It’s no wonder seaweeds are so good for our health and overall well-being.

Seaweed’s macro minerals include sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, sulphur, and phosphorus. They also contain micro minerals essential for avoiding deficiencies, such as iodine, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, molybdenum, and many other elements such as fluoride, manganese, boron, nickel, and cobalt.

Edible seaweeds also contain a fully loaded cocktail of all the vitamins. The dominant vitamins are Provitamin A in the form of beta- and alphacarotene found in red and brown algae; Vitamin C in red and brown algae; and Vitamin E in brown algae. The Vitamin B group is by and large well represented. What makes seaweed unique is that they contain Vitamin B12, the vitamin not present in any soil-grown vegetables!

More than minerals and vitamins, sea vegetables are also rich in protein, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and fiber — powerful properties that promote overall well-being and help prevent or even fight a variety of diseases.

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Nice piece of artwork, made from seaweed.

- Julia Lohmann, Oki naganode -

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Browsing experience #1

The benefits of seaweed have been a tremendous eye-opener to me! There is a lot more to be discovered in the coming weeks, such as the (Dutch) zeewierwijzer.nl website. A small fact: green seaweeds will grow in shallow waters and need sunlight to grow. The red weeds are also growing down to a few hundred meters deep, as as violet and blue light is less reflected and reaches deeper down.

All seaweeds can be eaten, but Nori, Dulse, Sugar Kelp and Wakame are most famous. Since I'm based in Amsterdam the Netherlands, I'll have to find the best local options for seaweed types to be used for production and selling. Basically this will all be dependent on what I intend to sell or produce. The more fresh I need the seaweed, the more need I have to grow/buy locally. But I also intend to start a highly sustainable business, adopting the cradle-to-cradle principle in the core of my business.

Local research led me to a recently started Dutch seaweed-farm started in the South West of the Netherlands, in the Oosterschelde, experimenting with near-shore seaweed farming. Zeewaar received € 80k on local government subsidies to experiment with new harvesting technologies and sustainable production of local species.

[eatcweed-blog]

Hi all, this is my blog, describing my journey into creating a seaweed business in the Netherlands. Enjoy the ride!