R&S: Sensational seaweed

This week, resident purveyors of all knowledge Rebecca and Sarah chew over a few morsels of seaweed.

R – British heat waves are too few and far between. The beach was so packed this weekend, I could barely find somewhere to put my towel. Everywhere I looked, there were people turning into lobsters. How can people not use sun-tan lotion?

S – I know. Market research has shown parents are protecting their children with sunscreen, but ignoring themselves. Like they think it won't affect them. I burn so easily, I always wear factor 25. Result is I look a bit pasty most of the year but that's better than lobster red, not forgetting the obvious health risk. I was all excited at the thought of paddling my feet in the water at the beach at the weekend, but after two seconds my feet were like blocks of ice and I had seaweed caught in my toes!!!

R – Yuck, slimy seaweed! Seaweed, or should I say algae, is quite a remarkable plant though. Did you know that is actually provides more than half of the Earth’s oxygen?

S – Really? That seems so unlikely. I know there are lots of different types of seaweed, different colours and structures. I reckon the worst is bladder wrack with those horrible air bladders. I thought the only thing seaweed was good for was sushi!

R – Seaweed is used in a lot more food that just sushi! Seaweeds are extensively harvested for the extraction of alginate, agar and carrageenan, which are collectively known as hydrocolloids. These hydrocolloids have attained great commercial significance in various industries and are commonly used in food production. They are exploited for their physical properties – as gels and emulsifying agents. Alginate is even often used as a froth thickener for your pint of lager! Fancy some sushi and a pint one night for a full-on seaweed lifestyle?

S – I’m sure sake would be a more traditional accompaniment to sushi, but perhaps lager would be nicer! What about all those health spas who exploit the properties of seaweed to beautify us? Seaweed is great for the elimination of toxins. Ever tried a seaweed wrap? Not only is it supposed to help sagging skin, cellulite and stretch marks, but can also give the appearance of losing a few of those unwanted inches!

R – Not until I can afford one. I’ve heard they are the ultimate body cleanser for both inside and out, but I'm not sure why?

S – Basically what happens is you are covered entirely in a seaweed paste and then wrapped in a warm thermal sheet. The seaweed paste works by transferring the vitamins and minerals it had previously absorbed from where it was grown – typically off the Brittany Coast – into your skin, which supposedly help to break down fatty deposits in your body. At the very least, 45 minutes wrapped in warm blankets has to be a great way to relax.

R – Sounds wonderful. Let’s book one now! It’s not only good for maintaining a beautiful body though, seaweed can also be used to keep you healthy. Seaweed has been used as an ingredient in various medicines, including treatments for tuberculosis, arthritis, colds, influenza and also worm infections.

S – So, if we both book ourselves in for a pre- and post-beach seaweed wrap, do you think it means we can indulge in an ice cream while we sunbathe?

R – Definitely. When it’s hot, you need something to cool you down! Anyway, ice-cream is a prime example of using seaweed to make something really tasty. Ice-cream is not actually made of seaweed, but what’s inside is! It contains carrageen gum, which I was telling you about earlier. It consists of a long strand of sugars bonded together and since seaweed lives in the sea, the gum made from it loves water, making it perfect for use in ice cream. The gum, even in small amounts, binds with the water in the ice cream, making it thick and smooth instead of thin and runny. It also keeps the water from forming ice when it sits in your freezer. Not that ice-cream lasts long in my freezer!

S – That’s amazing! In this country, we may have our gastro pub chefs making egg & bacon ice cream, but in Taiwan they actually make seaweed flavoured ice-cream!

R – Urgh – that sounds revolting, think I’ll stick to my Mr Whippy thank you. After all, seaweed may have many uses, but only one comes with a flake!