Up for a weed burger? No, not that kind of weed. A weed burger made with seaweed patties. Some call it a kelp burger, some algae burger but they are all referring to the tasty burger made with seaweed patties. Though seaweed has been an integral part of the human diet for centuries, seaweed burger patties are a relatively new product that is conquering the plant-based food market by storm.
Why the sudden popularity?
Not to go into details about what constitutes seaweed and various greens that grow in the ocean, you can read more about the different kinds of algae in this article, we will focus more on the demand for these patties. Seaweed or edible algae is particularly popular amongst food industry entrepreneurs because of its easiness of farming and processing. It is also an exceptionally clean source of valuable nutrients including all the seven essential amino acids. In 20019 a group of Danish researchers at the University of Denmark successfully discovered a method of extracting proteins from the three varieties of seaweed. Let us take a look at what nutrients can be found in seaweed. These burgers have already gained massive popularity in Europe. A company by the name of “The Duch weed burger” has already sold over a million seaweed burger patties and the demand is growing.
Seaweed protein patties are finally in the US
I have always been a fan of seaweed in any form. I love it in a dry form or as a jerky, naturally and moderately salted with sea salt, in a miso soup, or a form of a burger patty. Since I live in the States, I was ecstatic to find out that a new company specialized in edible seaweed products emerged in the US under the name AKUA and is already supplying some popular burger joints with its patties. So, I decided to venture out to a very popular LA vegan burger restaurant Honeybee Burger, which by the way, serves very tasty versions of Impossible and Beyond patties but also kelp burgers made with AKUA’S patties! The restaurant is located in the city of Silver Lake, CA, a charming town surrounded by LA mountains, a famous lake, parks, and nice shops. After sampling some homemade sea kelp patties last year, I wanted to taste this first-ever American restaurant-made seaweed burger and give you my honest opinion on it.
Sea Bee burger Taste test
Well, it was a pretty morning, December 20th, Ambiance is wonderful. Nice inviting staff and patio made us feel welcome. Sadly we could not sit on the patio because of LA’s strict Covid measures but, we were happy to get our burgers in nicely packaged to-go boxes. I did not get fries because I did not want to alter the taste of my seaweed patty. First bite, and… I am liking the taste! It is neither beefy nor veggie like. It Is right in between, which I expected. My burger had a slice of vegan cheese and some grilled onions so that flavor was mixing with my seaweed flavor and sea salt taste but, the patty was really fulfilling. Compared to its Euro counterparts that I have tasted a year or so ago? This California-made seaweed patty was a bit thinner (which works for me, I am a fan of thin burger patties) and it had a bit less of that seaweed flavor which I expected to be pronounced more. Nutritionally, this burger kept me satiated for a while. I did not get hungry until late afternoon which was amazing considering that I did not eat it with fries. This was my third time enjoying The Honeybee burgers in LA and I am a true fan of their menu. I believe that seaweed patties will be well received by the fans of plant-based burgers not only in LA but nationwide.