Seaweed rides a tidal wave of popularity

Seaweed is being used in foods to enhance umami and other flavors and to replace salt — both in-demand qualities for ingredients today. Forms of seaweed are also showing up in snacks, jerky, pasta, vegetarian caviar and even edible food wrappers. As its assets become better known, seaweed may be overcoming the ick factor with consumers and is being seen as a healthful, plant-based ingredient.