A complete guide to choosing seaweed! How to find flavorful seaweed
Introduction
Nori seaweed is an essential ingredient on the Japanese diet, but when you go to a supermarket, there are so many different types of nori on display that many people may find it difficult to decide which one to choose.
There are a few points to consider when choosing delicious seaweed. Here, we will introduce how to tell if seaweed is delicious.
color
It is best to choose ones that are black and shiny, as their dark color indicates that they are rich in nutrients and packed with flavor.
Look at the surface of the seaweed and choose one with a good shine and color. Greenish seaweed is not very good.
Thickness
The ideal thickness is not too thin and not too thick.
If it's too thin, it will tear and tend to have a weak flavor, but if it's too thick, it will harden over time and become difficult to chew. It may seem like a thicker one is better, but a not-too-thin one is best for any purpose.
grade
Seaweed that says "Early Harvested" or "First Harvested" on the package is said to be the tastiest. Seaweed is harvested several times during the season, and the first or second harvest is said to be soft and melts in the mouth.
Nori is in season from late November to January. "New nori" made from seaweed harvested during this time tends to be the most delicious, with a strong umami flavor. Not only is it tasty, but early-harvested seaweed is also rich in umami ingredients.
Origin
The Ariake Sea variety contains a lot of amino acids, which are the umami component, so it is said to be very soft and melts in your mouth, while the Setouchi variety is characterized by a crisp texture and a strong fragrance and rich flavor.
bonus
Did you know that there is a grade called "〇 (Maru)"?
This is seaweed that has holes in it because the seaweed sprouts are soft and not clogged. If the sprouts are soft, the seaweed will be crisp and melt in your mouth. Some people prefer grade 〇 because it's so delicious! It can also be a better deal than seaweed without holes.
summary
What did you think? When choosing delicious seaweed, it is important to make a comprehensive judgment based on factors such as color, thickness, aroma, grade, and place of origin.
If you're unsure which seaweed to buy at the supermarket, it's a good idea to keep these things in mind.
Because seaweed is not processed very often, the price of the seaweed is directly influenced by the quality of the raw materials at the time of purchase. High quality seaweed is therefore more expensive.
Many different types of nori are available not only at supermarkets, but also at nori specialty stores and our online shop, so we encourage you to try different types of nori and find your favorite one.
