shopping Kelp - two varieties
Kelp, granules, wild crafted image
[ 649 ]Ascophyllum nodosum

Kelp Granules, Wild Crafted

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1/4 Pound:  $2.74 Pound:  $6.09 out of stock   |   ETA:10/16/2024  
Kelp, powder, wild crafted image
[ 740 ]Ascophyllum nodosum

Kelp Powder, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound:  $2.77 Pound:  $6.15 
We offer discounted pricing on orders over 100 pounds. Contact Us

Wholesale Kelp

Ascophyllum nodosum
plant overview
nutrition from the sea

Norwegian kelp is a brown seaweed harvested from the Atlantic coastline of eastern North America, Greenland, Norway, Britain and Ireland. Like other varieties of kelp, Norwegian kelp is a rich source of natural iodine. It also contains at least 14 vitamins and 18 minerals, including folate, niacin, vitamin K, calcium, zinc, potassium and manganese. Aside from the nutritional boost, our wholesale kelp is also added to bath water and to foot soaks to help ease muscle aches, stiff joints and minor skin irritations.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
Where in the World

habitat and range for kelp

Ascophyllum nodosum is seaweed of the northern Atlantic Ocean, it is common on the north-western coast of Europe (from Svalbard to Portugal) including east Greenland and the north-eastern coast of North America.

02.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on kelp

description
Ascophyllum nodosum is a large, common brown alga of the Fucaceae family, it has long fronds with large egg-shaped air-bladders set in series at regular intervals in the fronds and not stalked. The fronds can reach 2 m in length and are attached to rocks and boulders. The fronds are olive-brown in color and somewhat compressed but without a mid-rib. Its history is of one diploid plant and gametes. The gametes are produced in conceptacles embedded in yellowish receptacles on short branches.

common names & nomenclature
The common name cut weed refers to the way the plant is harvested—being cut from the rocks to which it attaches.

Also known as:
kelp, rockweed, norwegian kelp, knotted kelp, knotted wrack, egg wrack, cut weed, bladderwrack, seawrack, sea-tang, seaweed

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting kelp

climate
Ascophyllum nodosum is found mostly on sheltered sites on ocean shores in the mid-littoral where it can become the dominant species. Often found in a range of coastal habitats from sheltered estuaries to moderately exposed coasts.

soil
Kelp is an aquatic plant that grows in the ocean attached to rocks.

growing
Kelp attaches itself to rocks and boulders in the ocean using a structure called a “holdfast”. It grows upwards in the water.

harvesting
During low tide, kelp is cut off the exposed rocks where it grows. The species is predominantly hand-harvested using sickles, knives and various cutting and raking tools. Harvesting is done both from the shore and by boat. It can be cut from rocks while the plants are suspended using small boats and cutting rakes to minimize the disturbance of the plants. Mechanical “cutter rakes” have also been used in the harvest process.

preserving
Kelp is dried and made into granules or powder, store dried kelp in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

kelp history, folklore, literature & more

Kelp is a type of seaweed, specifically long-frond brown algae, which grows to lengths of 200 feet off Japan, Europe, and North America.

Ancient seafarers were well acquainted with the kelp beds off England and France. Early fisherman burned the plant for fuel and wrapped, baked, and ate fish in it. Unlike the Japanese, who eat a great deal of seaweed, Europeans never developed much taste for kelp.

For several decades, Europeans and North Americans harvested kelp for its iodine. The fronds were cut off exposed rocks at low tide, hence one popular name cut weed. Eventually other iodine sources replaced kelp, and the harvesting ceased.

Our wholesale Kelp is definitely high in iodine. Back in the days before iodized salt, when iodine deficiency was a real problem, kelp was a real blessing. But today, iodine deficiency is virtually unheard of in developed countries. To function normally, the body needs only a minute amount of iodine (150 micrograms a day)—an amount more than supplied by iodized salt. Additional iodine has no significant effect-until you consume enough to cause iodism, which is almost impossible just from eating kelp.

Kelp grows in the cold water off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. It has a strong, foul odor when fresh, but baking deodorizes it. Authorities discourage using kelp collected close to shore because it may be contaminated by industrial pollutants. If you use Norwegian kelp, buy it from commercial sources.

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:  Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.