Wholesale Bladderwrack

01.
Where in the World

habitat and range for bladderwrack

Bladderwrack is a seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

02.
A Bit of Botany

some botanical information for bladderwrack

description
Bladderwrack is a perennial plant of the Fucaceae family ranging in color from light yellow to brownish-green and grows up to 2-3 feet in length. Bladderwrack leaves are fan shaped and it attaches itself to rocks via root-like extremities growing from its leathery stalk.

Bladderwrack has flattened, branching fronds, which have an obvious midrib, and are covered with spherical air bladders, which tend to occur in pairs on either side of the mid-rib. In small plants, however, air bladders may be entirely absent. Forked and pointed reproductive structures occur at the tips of the fronds.

The appearance of bladderwrack varies depending on the environmental conditions in which it occurs; in more sheltered areas there are many air bladders, whereas there are fewer in more exposed conditions. In very exposed areas, a form of bladder wrack may arise, which completely lacks bladders.

common names
& nomenclature
"Vesiculosus" is from the Latin and means covered with little bladders or blisters.

A general West Germanic borrowing, cf. Old Frisian bete, Middle Dutch bete, Old High German bieza, German Beete.

Also known as:
bladder wrack, lady wrack, sea ware, bladder wrack rockweed, kelp, seawrack, kelpware, black-tang, bladder fucus, cutweed, seaweed, sea oak, black tany, cutweed, fucus sea-wrack, kelp-ware, black-tang, quercus marina, cutweed, bladder fucus, fucus vesiculeux, blasentang, seetang, and meeriche

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

how bladderwrack grows and is harvested

climate
Bladderwrack is a seaweed found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.

growing
Bladderwrack has separate male and female plants, and reproduction takes place once a year. Sex cells are produced in structures known as 'receptacles' located at the tips of the fronds. Eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the water; the eggs release a pheromone that attracts the sperm, and fertilization occurs externally. The fertilized egg settles to the substrate where it becomes attached after just a few hours.

harvesting
Harvest by picking the freshest bladderwrack possible. Make certain that the plant is still alive and attached to its anchor—it's best to collect at the low tide mark or in rock pools. If at all possible the bladderwrack should simply be sun-dried as this gives maximal flavor and nutrient retention.

preserving
When dry, bladderwrack can be cut into pieces or powdered and stored in air-tight boxes, it can also be frozen for future use.

04.
The Rest of the Story

basics, health and recipes

bladderwrack basics
Bladderwrack has a funny name, but it doesn't really match all that it can do. It's actually algae that gets its name from the small air-filled pockets, or bladders, that actually help it to float. But its name doesn’t have much to do with its actual uses for the body.

What is bladderwrack used for?

Bladderwrack is often used as a natural salt alternative due to its savory, mineral-rich flavor. In addition to whole herb uses, bladderwrack is also available in extract form, which is commonly incorporated into a variety of botanical and food-related applications.

Health benefits

Bladderwrack herb benefits

Bladderwrack has a long history of traditional use and is commonly associated with food and botanical traditions rather than its name alone. As a sea vegetable, it is often valued for its savory flavor and is sometimes used as a natural salt alternative.

Bladderwrack can be prepared in several forms, including teas, powders, capsules, and extracts, depending on personal preference and intended use. Tea preparations typically involve steeping the dried herb for several minutes, while powdered forms can be incorporated into recipes or encapsulated.

Although its name suggests otherwise, bladderwrack is not specifically associated with the bladder. Its historical use is rooted in broader culinary and botanical traditions.

Formulas & recipes

Bladderwrack tea recipe

• Grind into a fine powder using an herb grinder
• Add ½ tsp to 1 tsp of the powder to a tea bag or tea ball
• Add boiled water
• Steep for at least 10 minutes
• Remove tea bag and enjoy, no sweetener is necessary

How to eat dry bladderwrack

Dry bladderwrack is as versatile as salt and can be added to other herbs or spices to season any savory food. Some enjoy fresh bladderwrack, but dry bladderwrack is much better for kitchen use. It can be sprinkled on any food to add a nice smokey, salty flavor. Dry bladderwrack is sometimes added to natural cosmetic products as well but is mostly used in the kitchen for added flavor.