Sea Vegetable

Sugar Kelp

Sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) is a broad Atlantic kelp with sweet-marine flavour and natural mannitol—used fresh, dried, or as chips and seasonings. It is the Western cook’s everyday kelp, related to but not identical in market identity to Japanese kombu. Simmer gently for stocks, roast into crisps, or grind dried blades into seasoning. Avoid long hard boils that turn stock slimy.

Also known as: Atlantic Kelp, Saccharina

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Cuts & parts

Frond

Whole

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

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Saccharina latissima

Atlantic Sugar Kelp

Royal Kombu Style Atlantic

Characteristics

Preparations

CookedDriedFreshFrozenSoakedWhole

Provenance

Hand HarvestedOrganicSeasonalSustainableWild Harvested

Sources

AquacultureOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

AtlanticBroad BladeBrownSweet-MarineUmami

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 32.8

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 0.48 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.11 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 871 mg
Salt 2.54 g
Total Carbohydrate 5.61 g
Dietary Fibre 4.06 g
Total Sugars 0.46 g
Complex / starch 0.47 g
Protein 4.23 g
Water 75.5 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 32.8 kcal
Water 75.5 g
Carbohydrates 5.61 g
- Sugars 0.46 g
  - Monosaccharides 0.32 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 4.06 g
  - Soluble Fibre 1.42 g
  - Insoluble Fibre 2.64 g
Protein 4.23 g
Fat 0.48 g
- Saturated Fat 0.1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.11 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
  - Omega-3 0.02 g
  - Omega-6 0.1 g
Vitamins 102 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.06 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.23 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.12 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.33 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.06 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 54.1 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.53 mg
- Vitamin K 21 µg
Minerals 1237 mg
- Major Minerals 1121 mg
  - Calcium 35 mg
  - Sodium 871 mg
  - Potassium 215 mg
- Trace Minerals 116 mg
  - Iron 1 mg
  - Zinc 0.4 mg
  - Iodine 115 µg
Salt 2.54 g
- Sodium Chloride 2.54 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.06 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.23 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.12 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.33 · vitamin-b6: 0.06 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 54.1 · vitamin-e: 0.53 · vitamin-k: 21 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 870.62 · Potassium: 215 · Calcium: 35 · Iron: 1 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 115 ·

Sea vegetables bring iodine, minerals, and saltiness with modest calories when rehydrated.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Sugar Kelp.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

1000 BCE

North Atlantic coastal peoples harvested sugar kelp as food and soil fertiliser.

1800GB

British and Nordic shores supplied sugar kelp for local kitchens and industry.

2010

European aquaculture expanded sugar kelp for food and snack products.