Sea Vegetable
Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green cyanobacterium (Arthrospira) cultivated in alkaline lakes and ponds, dried to a deep green powder or tablets. Culinary use includes smoothies, energy balls, pasta colouring, and savoury sprinkles with a strong marine-vegetal taste. Though not a true seaweed, it is grouped with sea vegetables in many culinary taxonomies as a water-grown green food.
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Cuts & parts
Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
Preparations
Provenance
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Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0.47 g
- Saturated Fat 0.1 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 850 mg
- Salt 2.59 g
- Total Carbohydrate 5.74 g
- Dietary Fibre 4.1 g
- Total Sugars 0.48 g
- Complex / starch 0.47 g
- Protein 3.89 g
- Water 74.8 g
- Energy 32.2 kcal
- Water 74.8 g
- Carbohydrates 5.74 g
- Sugars 0.48 g
- Monosaccharides 0.34 g
- Disaccharides 0.14 g
- Starch 0.47 g
- Amylose 0.12 g
- Amylopectin 0.35 g
- Digestible Starch 0.4 g
- Resistant Starch 0.05 g
- Fibre 4.1 g
- Soluble Fibre 1.44 g
- Insoluble Fibre 2.67 g
- Protein 3.89 g
- Fat 0.47 g
- Saturated Fat 0.1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
- Vitamins 95.6 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.21 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.04 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.31 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 50 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.49 mg
- Vitamin K 19.4 µg
- Minerals 1148 mg
- Major Minerals 1068 mg
- Trace Minerals 80.8 mg
- Salt 2.59 g
- Sodium Chloride 2.59 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.05 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.21 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.04 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.31 · vitamin-b6: 0.05 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 50 · vitamin-e: 0.49 · vitamin-k: 19.4 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 849.6 · Potassium: 179 · Calcium: 39 · Iron: 1.4 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 79 ·
Sea vegetables bring iodine, minerals, and saltiness with modest calories when rehydrated.
History
Aztec and African lake communities harvested spirulina-like mats as protein foods.
Scientific interest revived spirulina as a cultivated high-protein food resource.
Commercial pond culture made spirulina powder a global health-food ingredient.
Chefs and manufacturers used spirulina for natural green colour in foods and drinks.