Kelp noodles
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| Place of origin | South Korea, Japan, & China | ||||||
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| Region or state | Asia | ||||||
| Main ingredients | Kelp | ||||||
| 6 kcal (25 kJ) | |||||||
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Kelp Noodles are a raw noodle made from edible seaweed.[1] Kelp has been included in the diets of many civilizations, including the Chinese, Greeks, and Icelanders. The largest consumer of kelp is the Japanese, who have incorporated kelp and seaweed in their diets for over 1,500 years.[2] Kelp noodles are becoming more popular outside Japan. Kelp noodles can be eaten raw, however, for added taste, some consumers prefer to cook the noodle in water and add spices for flavoring. The noodles can be purchased online or in health food super markets. Some restaurants are starting to offer their customers kelp noodles as an alternative to noodles or rice in their dishes.
Nutrition
Kelp noodles are appealing to dieters because they are fat-free and gluten-free.[3] These noodles are also rich in nutrients. A 1/2 cup serving includes 134 milligrams of calcium, 2.28 milligrams of iron, and 52.8 micrograms of vitamin K. [4] Oddly though they have been eaten for well over 1,000 years no on knows the iodine content of one serving.
Dishes
Kelp noodles are mostly prepared in Asian cuisine, or as a low-carb substitute for rice and pasta in various dishes.[5] The most common dishes kelp noodles are used in are soups, salads, stir-fries and vegetable side dishes. Kelp noodles have a neutral taste so they take on the flavors of the dishes they are added to.
Potential economic impact
The popularity of kelp noodles among health-conscious consumers is growing, partially because demand for gluten-free food products is rising.[6]
References
- ^ Wong, Cathy. "Kelp Noodles: What You Need to Know About Kelp Noodles". About Health. about.com. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Wurges, Jennifer; Frey, Rebecca. "Kelp". Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. The Gale Group, Inc. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Amerman, Don. "Nutritionally What Is Kelp Good For?". SFGate. Demand Media. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Billings-Smith, Lana. "What Are the Health Benefits of Kelp Noodles?". Livestrong. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Paleo-inspired kelp noodle recipes, Feb 9, 2011. Retrieved Mar 20, 2015
- ^ Gluten-Free Market Trends, Jan 1, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
Further reading
- Ladd, Chris (April 29, 2009). "Kelp: something different from the sea". Boston Globe.
- Pete Evans (2014). Healthy Every Day. Pan Macmillan Australia. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-74351-790-1.
- Jessica Nadel (2015). Greens 24/7. Experiment LLC. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-61519-227-4.