Why we get seaweed from ultra-clean Ise-Shima

You read more and more about the benefits of seaweed. Seaweed is like a superfood! Yet we often find it difficult to really integrate seaweed into our meals. Nevertheless, there are all kinds of great varieties on the market that you can add to your dish super fast.
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6 July 2022

The best seaweed in the world

Dare we say it? Yes, we do! Our 10 types of seaweed do not taste too salty, but have a lot of umami flavour in them. However, taste isn’t the only reason they are top of the bill. Most types of seaweed come from Ise-Shima, an ultra-clean bay in Japan. This is where the best (organic) seaweeds in the world grow.

zeewier wakame in Ise-Shima

Ise-Shima is the Japanese seaweed mecca

Ise-Shima is a protected bay with history. More than 1,000 years ago, the emperor’s chefs discovered the site in their search for the best seaweeds for the royal family.

National Park

Ise-Shima bay is surrounded by a forest and mountain rich national park. Mountain rivers flow into the bay and contribute to a mineral-rich environment. The water temperature is perfect and the soil is full of nutrients. There are so many seaweed variations to be found and the fish swimming around there are insanely tasty. The Japanese government bans all polluting industries in this region. This way, future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful source of sea treasures!

zeewier natuurgebied Ise-Shima, Japan

Place of pilgrimage

Ise-Shima is the center of the Shinto religion. Shinto is a feminine god who stands for respect for everything that nature brings us human beings. There are no fewer than 125 in Ise-Shimashrines (sacred places). Powerful energies converge here. Ise-Shima has been a pilgrimage site for many Japanese for centuries.

Picking seaweed according to age-old methods

The seaweed pickers and preparers are really experienced. They have been harvesting in the same traditional way for generations. For example, they use special female freedivers to harvest arame. These women know exactly where to find the arame and which one to select for harvest.

vrouwelijke arame duiker

Meet MUSO

Our producer MUSO is and will remain the largest seaweed exporter from the Ise-Shima region. We have the honour of working closely with MUSO. In this way we can introduce Europe to the special quality of these seaweeds!