Your prayers may have just been answered.
Scientists at Oregon State University and the Food Innovation Center have discovered seaweed that tastes like bacon, but much healthier.
It all started when they started exploring ways to prep and market dulse, which is an especially nutritious strain of seaweed that’s easy and environmentally friendly to grow.
Dulse grows in the wild along the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. It’s harvested and sold for up to $90 a pound in dried form, and is used as a cooking ingredient or nutritional supplement.
Researcher Chris Langdon and colleagues at Oregon State University have created and patented a new strain of dulse- one he has been growing for the past 15 years.
This strain looks like translucent red lettuce, and is an excellent source of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, containing up to 16% protein in dry weight.
In addition, it is said to have twice the nutritional value of kale!
Chief researcher Chris Langdon:
“When you fry it, which I have done, it tastes like bacon, not seaweed. And it’s a pretty strong bacon flavor.”
Well bacon lovers rejoice!
We cannot wait until we get our hands on some of this sea-weed bacon, and get to taste a healthier version of our favorite breakfast food.
Famed Portland Chef Vitalo Paley, who won Iron Chef America in 2011 is already serving dulse in three of his restaurants!
Chef Vitalo Paley says about his customers:
“At first they didn’t know they needed it, and now they can’t live without it.”
We hope this seaweed-bacon is being served at a restaurant near you soon!
[Featured Image Credit: mirror.co.uk]