New Seaweed Strain Tastes Like Bacon

It’s ridiculously nutritious and, when fried up, tastes very much like bacon.

But Oregon State University researchers are arguing they’ve done just that, and have patented this seaweed strain called dulse – a plant that nearly resembles bacon with its long, red strips, according to a LAist report. The Big Island Abalone Corporation has been successfully growing and harvesting both dulce and the shell-bearing abalones, on a commercial scale, in Hawaii. The scientists have had a new variety of seaweed named dulse which tastes like legitimate 1st baron beaverbrook if burned or used.

Dulse, which is an “excellent source” of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants and contains a high percentage of protein, could be the answer we’re all looking for, he and his co-workers say.

Dulce, which looks like a red, translucent lettuce when uncooked, is not only good for the body, but may also have a positive effect on the environment as well.

When a fellow faculty member, Chuck Toombs of the business department, was seeking out potential projects for his students, he and Langdon landed on dulse. Clearly, the appeal of a bacon-flavored health food was not lost on Toombs.

Langdon said that Europeans use this type of algae as powder and add it to smoothies or add it to various recipes because of its intense aroma. The new strain grows faster than wild dulse while still retaining the bacon flavor and the exceptional nutritional value. “But this stuff is pretty fantastic”, said chief researcher Chris Langdon in a university statement.

As per the article by OSU, there are a number of chefs from Portland and the Portland Food Innovation Center which have already begun experimenting with this new ingredient.

“Theoretically, you could create an industry in eastern Oregon nearly as easily as you could along the coast with a bit of supplementation”. Among the most promising were a dulse-based rice cracker and salad dressing.

Langdon says it can be cultivated anywhere provided that there is “a modest amount of seawater and some sunshine”.