SUPERFOOD INGREDIENTS seaweed product formats

Our wholesale Seaweed products, are available in the following formats:

Fine and Medium Granules: Organic Knotted Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum), Organic Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), Organic Channel Wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata)

Fine and Medium Flakes: Organic Dulse (Palmaria palmata), Organic Winged Kelp (Alaria esculenta)

Large Pieces: Organic Knotted Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum), Organic Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), Organic Channel Wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata), Organic Dulse (Palmaria palmata), Organic Winged Kelp (Alaria esculenta)

Some further detail on each product format and their possible applications in the Food, Beverage, Nutraceutical and Cosmeceutical sectors is provided below.

Organic Knotted Wrack  

The most popular in our range of seaweeds, Organic Knotted Wrack  (Ascophyllum nodosum) is highly nutritious, providing a rich source of iodine and other trace elements, minerals, polyphenols and prebiotic fibers. This versatile ingredient is valued for its flavour enhancement properties, nutritional value and economy. Knotted Wrack granules can be used in a great variety of applications, most notably for salt replacement and flavour enhancement in sauces, soups, bone broths, stews, condiments, seasonings, baked goods and ready meals, as well as nutritional enhancement in supplements, dry mixes, superfood blends and animal nutrition.

Organic Bladder Wrack  

Notable for its high antioxidant and polyphenol content, Organic Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is found to protect the gut against free radicals, and as such has received much attention for its gut health applications and for the nutritional management of digestive disorders. It has also been of interest for diets aimed at detoxification, oral health and the production of skin collagen. Also a good source prebiotic fibers, iron, calcium and potassium, this brown seaweed adds nutrient density and a depth of flavour to food formulations. Bladder Wrack granules can be used in a great variety of applications, adding general nutrition and flavour enhancement to a wide number of food and beverage applications, but it is also prized specifically for special diets aimed at detoxification, digestion, children's nutrition, oral health and sports health management.

Organic Channel Wrack  

With a well balanced nutritional profile, and a notably high level of essential fatty acids Omega 3, 6 and 9, Organic Channel Wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata) is valued for its pleasant mild oaty flavour. It is ideal for adding nutrient density to formulations aimed at balancing the nutritional needs of the elderly and the young. It has a lower iodine level than other species of the wrack family, it is high in iron and vitamin E, and supplies a good source of prebiotic fibers. Channel Wrack granules are ideal for use in formulations targeted at the elderly and the young, as well as special diets where a nutritional boost is desired. The granules can be used in ready meals and baked goods, as well in nutritional supplements, superfood blends and capsules.

Organic Dulse

This red seaweed is valued for its delicate smoky, salty flavour, as well as its outstanding levels of protein, vitamins B9, B12 and K1, and its rich mineral content, specially manganese and potassium. Organic Dulse (Palmaria palmata) offers formulations a flavour low in umami but high in roasted, bitter notes. With a protein content of 22% and its rich nutritional profile, this has become a popular seaweed to add flavour and nutrition to formulations or for use in home cooking. Dulse flakes can be used in a variety of applications to add protein and flavour, such as dressings and condiments. The ruby flakes are visually attractive and are polular to decorate salads and tossed vegetables. This species has become highly sought after in restaurants and at home for  gourmet and exotic meal preparation.

Organic Winged Kelp

This dark green kelp is prized for its delicate, slightly sweet and clean flavour, as well as its fantastic content of soluble fibers and minerals such as iodine and zinc. Our organic Winged Kelp (Alaria esculenta) is similar to wakame, and has a umami flavour that has been found to significantly improve appetite, weight gain and general health in the elderly and infirm, by increasing salivation and taste and by improving digestion. It is used most notably in beverage applications. Winged Kelp flakes are especially favoured in beverage applications such as superfood smoothie blends, protein shakes, teas, fruit juices and health tonics.

SUPERFOOD INGREDIENTS seaweed harvesting and production

Quality Assurance

Superfood Ingredients is proud to be offering a range of seaweeds ingredients, wild harvested from 5 remote locations in the British Isles and Nordic region, specifically for human consumption. Our seaweed range has over 15 years of unparalleled data collected on its seaweeds, both with regard to nutrients, but also importantly, data on the absence of harmful contaminants. The seaweeds comply with the highest international standards for food safety and nutrition and are certified organic. They seaweeds exceed international standards including British Retail Consortium and Nutritious Food Seaweed standards, and they are certified Organic and Non-Allergenic.

The spectrum of nutrients in our seaweeds can be so comprehensive that it fills the gaps in a diet comprised of land foods. A

gram of nutritious dried seaweed in daily foods and supplements can deliver disproportionate nutritional and therapeutic

benefits.

Applications to Explore

Seaweeds have been widely used throughout history as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. The food, beverage and nutraceutical industries have picked up on the value of seaweeds, and the range of applications is growing. Valued particularly for their comprehensive minerals and micronutrients, as a natural preservative for salt reduction, a vegetable source of nutrients missing from 'free-from' foods, and to enhance flavour, seaweeds can now be found in breads, crackers, oat biscuits, soups, bone broths, sauces, ready meals, smoothie and juice blends, teas, supplements, condiments, seasonings and pet supplements to name but a few. Exciting new areas being explored are in weight-loss management and specific diets, such as diabetic, vegan, raw and non-allergenic.

SUPERFOOD INGREDIENTS seaweed benefits

Our seaweeds provide a nutrient-dense, mineral-rich natural wholefood ingredient that can underpin the nutritional profile of a product. With minerals, trace elements, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, polysaccharides, omega fatty acids and fibres, all bases are covered.

Seaweeds and their Phytonutrients

Our brown seaweeds, wtich includes the three wrack species and mohst particularly the Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), have been found to contain high levels of polyphenol compounds, some unique to seaweeds such as phlorotannins. A study conducted at Newcastle University showed that in vitro phlorotannins demonstrate high antioxidant  activity, and also act to lower the blood sugar response when digesting carbohydrates, suggesting that it can be of help in the management of type II diabetes . The polyphenols in the wrack seaweeds, particularly Knotted Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum), have been shown to inhibit the enzymes involved in the uptake of fats, therefore reducing calory intake and hence considered a potential candidate in the management of obesity.

A Micronutrient Powerhouse

Micronutrients are the catalysts for thousands of essential daily bodily processes, necessary in tiny amounts on a frequent basis. 1g of one of our seaweeds each day can provide the balancing effect of all these micronutrients. Of particular interest is the B9 and B12 high in Dulse (Palmaria palmata) supplying a vegan source of these vitamins, along with its high protein content (22%), comprised by a balanced amino acid profile.

Gut Friendly Prebiotics

Naturally prebiotic, seaweeds species such as Winged Kelp (Alaria esculenta) present high levels of polysaccharides in its composition, which act to protect the epithelial lining and gut mucosa in the GI tract. In addition, the phlorotannins reduce oxidative stress generated by free radicals and toxins produced in the gut. Added to this is its beneficial action on the secretion of pancreatic and digestive enzymes, which underpin our seaweed's beneficial support in gastrointestinal health.

Iodine Supplementation

Iodine is critical for many bodily functions, but it is specially known for its role in the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, essential in the regulation of metabolic processes, body weight, body temperature, cholesterol levels and the central nervous system. Deficiency in Iodine can lead to hypothyroidism, associated with lethargy and weight gain. International research has revealed that iodine deficiencies are wide spread (found in 50% of the population studied). Seaweed is the richest natural source of iodine, and can be used to combat iodine deficiencies in therapeutic amounts. For children, Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) and Channel Wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata) have less than half the iodine, the latter with three times the essential fatty acids. Ask us about high or low iodine blends.

Outstanding Balance of Omega 3, 6 & 9

Although all the seaweeds we offer contain mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids in almost ideal ratios, the hero in our range is our Channel Wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata), with ~4% of the dry matter being made up of these healthboosting fatty acids. Add to this Pelvetia’s nutritionally balanced composition, its high content of Vitamin E, Iron and prebiotic fibres, lower content of Iodine and mild flavour, this becomes a great option for children’s nutrition and special need diets.