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You may remember a few weeks back when the internet was a buzz with the discovery of bacon flavoured seaweed called Dulse that claims to be even healthier than kale. Well, it turns out the seaweed has actually grown for centuries off the shores of Atlantic Canada and when our Elise Copps was on vacation out east, she decided to bring some back to put to the test.
Scientists in Oregon are working on farming and marketing a strain of the seaweed. They originally began experimenting with it as a food source for abalone but quickly realized its potential as a mass marketed health food. Since then, they’ve been testing it out in different recipes and claim that, when fried, it tastes strangely similar to bacon.
Bacon flavoured seaweed may sound like the answer to every dieter’s prayers. But the aromatic algae isn’t all that novel. It grows naturally on the Fundy coast and has been commercially harvested in New Brunswick for well over a century. Locals say it needs a little boost to bring out the reputed bacon flavour so we fried some up and took it to Hamilton’s Bayfront Park for a taste test. It’s already enjoyed in Europe and Atlantic Canada as a snack or seasoning, but we wanted to know if it lived up to its growing reputation as a replacement for one of North America’s favourite foods- bacon.
The naturally occuring version is already eaten in Europe and Atlantic Canada and contains plenty of protein, minerals and vitamins. Our volunteer taste testers agreed that it has a unique smoky, salty flavour but determined it wasn’t quite reminiscent of bacon. Most said it reminded them of chips or popcorn and were surprised to learn it’s packed with protein, antioxidants, iodine and several vitamins. About ninety per cent of tasters enjoyed it, many asking for a second or third piece.
The Oregon scientists say their strain is incredibly fast growing and has the potential to become much more accessible than its naturally occuring counterpart. So, perhaps, you may soon find it on a grocery store shelf to taste for yourself.
