Basic information of Seaweed
A seaweed belonging to the Laminariales family Chordariaceae (brown algae). In Japan, it is widely distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Although its color is brown, it changes to a vivid green color when blanched. The leafy part commonly eaten as “wakame” refers to the leafy portion, while the folded part called “sporophyll” at the base is known as “mekabu.” Additionally, the central rib running through the wakame, called the “middle stem,” and the “main stem” extending from the sporophyll to the base of the leaf, are characterized by their crunchy texture and are enjoyed as “stem wakame,” making them excellent accompaniments to sake. Wakame has been cherished by the Japanese since ancient times, appearing even in the “Manyoshu” anthology of poems.
It contains minerals such as dietary fiber and calcium, as well as vitamins such as β-carotene and vitamin K. Due to its high content of water-soluble dietary fiber, it has been reported to have effects such as improving bowel movements and suppressing postprandial triglyceride levels.
| Per 100g | Energy kcal |
Protein g |
Fat g |
Carbohydrates g |
Dietary Fiber g |
Salt Equivalen g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakame (raw) |
24 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 5.6 | 3.6 | 1.5 |
Since ancient times, Japan has had a proverb: “Food is better than medicine,” and putting it into practice forms the foundation of health and longevity. The concept that all “food” is essentially “medicine” is inherent in Japanese cuisine. The wisdom of “food and medicine from the same source” embodied in Japanese cuisine is encapsulated in proverbs. Let me introduce a proverb related to “wakame.”
When you start feeling angry or irritated, it’s beneficial to have some miso soup with wakame. This means that when the calcium concentration in the blood decreases, nerves tend to become overly excited, leading to irritability. Wakame contains plenty of calcium, which has a high calming effect on the mind. So, when feeling frustrated, be sure to actively consume wakame miso soup!
March to April
