It may seem like something straight out of a science fiction story but did you know that there’s a seaweed that tastes like bacon when cooked? And, perhaps more importantly, that it is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals?

Better known as Pacific dulse (Palmaria mollis), the seaweed in question is a type of red marine algae that resembles red shredded lettuce and normally grows along the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines.

A superfood in every sense of the word, Pacific dulse is bursting with high levels of iodine, calcium, potassium, manganese and iron, as well as vitamins A , C and B12, not to mention equally high levels of dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

“Dulse is a superfood, with twice the nutritional value of kale,” Chuck Toombs, a professor at Oregon State University (OSU), said, adding that the seaweed could open up a new industry in the area.

According to researchers from OSU’s Food Innovation Center, they are now exploring means of growing dulse on a commercial scale to address potential demand, and are now even testing recipes for food products such as dulse veggie burgers, trail mix and even beer.

Dulse 101

A staple of diets in parts of northern Europe such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales, dulse is typically harvested by hand during low tide from early summer to early fall.

Dulse, according to growers, is usually dried and sold as a snack or as an ingredient for stocks and broths, or ground into fine flakes and used as a healthier — not to mention more flavorful — alternative to salt. It is also used fresh as an ingredient in tasty salads.

As noted by experts, dulse is incredibly nutritious and is known for its rich iodine, calcium, potassium, manganese and iron content. Aside from essential minerals, dulse is also rich in vitamins A , C and B12, as well as protein, dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

Because of its impressive nutrient content, dulse has been associated with the following health benefits:

Dulse can help protect the body against oxidative damage

As with all seaweeds, dulse contains an impressive amount of antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, C and E, as well as plant compounds such as flavonoids and carotenoids.

This abundance of antioxidants means that adding dulse to your diet can help prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals in the environment.

Oxidative damage, according to experts, is considered to be an underlying cause of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In addition, dulse has an unusually large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These include EPA and DHA, which are most commonly found in fish, and are linked to optimal heart health and other notable health benefits. Talk about a superfood

Dulse supports good digestive function

As mentioned earlier, seaweed such as dulse, are an excellent source of dietary fiber, with the nutrient seen to make up about 75 percent of their total dry weight. This amount, according to research, is higher than what is normally found in most fruits and vegetables. Impressive, isn’t it?

Widely known to promote optimal gut health, dietary fiber can resist digestion and can thus be used as a food source for good bacteria that live in the large intestine. In addition, the fiber present in seaweed can actually help one feel fuller for longer, thus delaying hunger pangs — effectively making them a boon for people who are trying to manage their weight.

Other health benefits linked to dulse include the following:

• Dulse contains significant levels of calcium and potassium, two essential elements that are linked to strong and healthy bones.
• Dulse contains high levels of iodine, an element that is said to help improve the thyroid gland — an important part of the body’s endocrine system.
• Dulse is also known for having substantial levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant nutrient that is linked to improvements in your eyesight.
• Dulse contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to improved brain and nervous system function.

How to cook with dulse

With that said, you may be wondering how you can add dulce to your diet. Well, here are some recipes featuring dulse that you can try for a spin.

Seaweed Butter

Bursting with umami goodness, this recipe blends the richness of grass-fed organic butter with the savory and salty taste of dulse. Based on an original creation by The Kitchn, this compound butter is best enjoyed on warm, freshly toasted sourdough bread, or added to pasta and some herbed vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1/4 ounce fresh dulse seaweed (about 1/3 cup, lightly packed)
• 2 8-ounce sticks of unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes and at room temperature
• Sourdough bread, sliced and toasted, for serving

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 225°F. While the oven is preheating, rinse the seaweed to remove excess salt.
2. Spread the dulse out in a single layer on a baking sheet, then place in the preheated oven.
3. Roast the dulse for about 30 minutes or until it is dry and crisp.
4. If you are using a dehydrator, set the temperature to 135°F and let the machine run for about 24 hours or until all of the excess moisture from the dulse is gone.
5. Once cooked, remove the dulse from the oven or dehydrator and let cool for about 10 minutes.
6. Transfer the dulse to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and process into fine, crumbs.
7. Add the butter and process until completely mixed in with the dulse, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
8. Transfer the finished dulse butter into a serving container and serve with freshly-toasted slices of sourdough bread.

Seaweed and Sesame Salad

A savory dish inspired by Japanese cooking, this salad, adapted from a recipe by Food Matters, brings together the rich, umami flavors of dulse and the earthiness of select root vegetables and sesame oil.

Preparation

• 25 grams, dried dulse seaweed
• 60 ml organic apple cider vinegar
• 60 ml organic, gluten-free tamari OR dark, Japanese soy sauce
• 1 tbsp organic sesame oil
• 6 drops organic stevia liquid
• 1 tsp organic ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed organic lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 organic carrot, grated
• 1 organic jicama, sliced into medallions
• 1 organic radish, sliced into medallions
• 2 tbsp organic coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, to serve

Preparation

1. Place the seaweed in a small bowl and cover with water. Soak for five minutes, then drain and rinse, squeezing out any excess water.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the vegetables, herbs and sauces and the oil, tossing all ingredients together until well-combined.
3. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Seaweeds like dulse are extremely versatile as foods go, which means they can be added to just about any recipe that needs an additional umami kick. In addition, dulse and other seaweeds are also incredibly healthy, which explains the waves they are currently making in the health food industry.

Sources:

Independent.co.uk

ResearchGate.com

SeaGrant.OregonState.edu

BusinessInsider.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

Blog.HealthKismet.com

MDPI.com