Wakame

• Adds a delicious umami flavor to miso soup: Wakame is a staple ingredient in miso soup, providing a savory depth and a pleasant textural contrast to the broth and tofu. Rehydrate dried wakame before adding it to the soup during the final stages of cooking.
• Creates a refreshing seaweed salad: Enjoy wakame as a refreshing and light seaweed salad. Rehydrate the dried wakame, then toss it with a sesame oil-based dressing, rice vinegar, and other ingredients like sesame seeds, ginger, and chili flakes for a flavorful and healthy side dish.
• Enhances noodle dishes: Incorporate wakame into noodle dishes like ramen or udon for added flavor and nutrition. The seaweed absorbs the broth beautifully, creating a more complex and satisfying meal. Add rehydrated wakame towards the end of the cooking process.
• Complements stir-fries: Include wakame in stir-fries for a unique taste and textural element. Rehydrate the wakame and add it to the stir-fry along with other vegetables and protein towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
• Used as a nutritious addition to smoothies: For a boost of minerals and a unique taste, add a small amount of rehydrated or dried wakame to your smoothies. It blends well and provides a subtle salty flavor that complements fruits and vegetables.
• Wraps for onigiri: Rehydrated wakame can be chopped and mixed with cooked rice to create flavorful and nutritious onigiri (rice balls). The wakame adds a salty, umami flavor and interesting texture to this popular Japanese snack.

• Rich in iodine, essential for thyroid health and metabolism.
• High in antioxidants, protecting cells from damage and reducing disease risk.
• Good source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin C, iron, and magnesium, supporting overall wellness.
• May help lower blood pressure and improve heart health due to its fiber and bioactive compounds.
• Contains fucoxanthin, a compound studied for its potential to support weight management.
• Supports healthy digestion due to its high fiber content.

Dried wakame should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Properly stored, it can last for several months. Rehydrated wakame should be refrigerated in an airtight container and used within a few days. You can also freeze rehydrated wakame for longer storage, though the texture may soften slightly upon thawing.