You read more and more about the benefits of seaweed. Seaweed is like a superfood! Yet we often find it difficult to really integrate seaweed into our meals. Nevertheless, there are all kinds of great varieties on the market that you can add to your dish super fast.
Why we get seaweed from ultra-clean Ise-Shima
6 July 2022
The best seaweed in the world
Dare we say it? Yes, we do! Our 10 types of seaweed do not taste too salty, but have a lot of umami flavour in them. However, taste isn’t the only reason they are top of the bill. Most types of seaweed come from Ise-Shima, an ultra-clean bay in Japan. This is where the best (organic) seaweeds in the world grow.
Ise-Shima is the Japanese seaweed mecca
Ise-Shima is a protected bay with history. More than 1,000 years ago, the emperor’s chefs discovered the site in their search for the best seaweeds for the royal family.
National Park
Ise-Shima bay is surrounded by a forest and mountain rich national park. Mountain rivers flow into the bay and contribute to a mineral-rich environment. The water temperature is perfect and the soil is full of nutrients. There are so many seaweed variations to be found and the fish swimming around there are insanely tasty. The Japanese government bans all polluting industries in this region. This way, future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful source of sea treasures!
Place of pilgrimage
Ise-Shima is the center of the Shinto religion. Shinto is a feminine god who stands for respect for everything that nature brings us human beings. There are no fewer than 125 in Ise-Shimashrines (sacred places). Powerful energies converge here. Ise-Shima has been a pilgrimage site for many Japanese for centuries.
Picking seaweed according to age-old methods
The seaweed pickers and preparers are really experienced. They have been harvesting in the same traditional way for generations. For example, they use special female freedivers to harvest arame. These women know exactly where to find the arame and which one to select for harvest.
Meet MUSO
Our producer MUSO is and will remain the largest seaweed exporter from the Ise-Shima region. We have the honour of working closely with MUSO. In this way we can introduce Europe to the special quality of these seaweeds!