Winged Kelp [Alaria esculata]
Winged kelp (Alaria esculenta) is a cold-water brown seaweed naturally found along the North Atlantic coasts. Recognizable by its central midrib and ruffled, wing-like blades, it can grow several meters long in nutrient-rich waters. Nutritionally, it is rich in minerals such as iodine (but contains less than sugar kelp), calcium, magnesium, and potassium, provides dietary fiber, and is a natural source of protein and vitamins. Functionally, it delivers a clean umami taste, natural saltiness, and valuable fibers like alginate that support texture and water-binding in foods.
Sustainably farmed without the need for freshwater or fertilizers, winged kelp is both a nutritious ingredient and a regenerative ocean resource .Today, it’s gaining recognition as a versatile ingredient for modern kitchens and industries, appearing in everything from snacks and seasonings to plant-based innovations, pet food and supplements.
Harvested responsibly, Winged kelp represents the future of regenerative ocean farming — nutritious for people, restorative for the planet.
Functional & Nutritional Value
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Winged kelp is a nutrient-dense seaweed:
high in dietary fiber, moderate in protein, low in fat, and an excellent source of essential minerals like iodine, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
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Functionally, it adds texture, water retention, and umami flavor to foods, making it useful in processed meats, plant-based analogues, bakery products, pet food and seasoning blends.
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Dietary Fiber & Alginate: Winged kelp is rich in soluble and insoluble fibers, especially alginate, which is used in food for water-binding, viscosity, and gel formation. Alginate supports bowel health and may have prebiotic effects .
Application Versatility
Food & Beverage
Common uses: Salt reduction, natural umami enhancer, texture stabilization and nutrient fortification.
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Cosmetics & personal care
Hydration, anti-aging, and skin-soothing properties through natural polysaccharides.
Supplements
Bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic potential. Rich in iodine, it can be incorporated to support thyroid health.
Industrial uses
Bioplastics, packaging, and bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives.
Sustainability & Supply Chain
Seaweed farming has a zero-input cultivation — there is no need for arable land, freshwater, or fertilizers, minimizing production costs and ecological footprint. As it grows in the ocean, it absorbs carbon and nitrogen which supports measurable climate and ESG targets, that can support carbon-positive branding. Sugar kelp cultivation is highly scalable and adaptable to diverse coastal regions, enabling companies to diversify and secure raw material supply chains with a sustainable ocean-based resource.
Sugar kelp can contain up to ten times more minerals than land-based crops. It is rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
Nutrients:
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Calcium
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Iodine
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Iron
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Magnesium
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Zinc​
