The concept of choosing seaweed as a pasta alternative might deter some individuals—particularly baby boomers and older consumers. However, as awareness grows about dietary choices, seaweed is increasingly becoming a key ingredient in various culinary creations. A glance through social media reveals an array of innovative pasta recipes, ranging from pumpkin and asparagus to pepper-based options. Millennials, in particular, appear eager to embrace new food trends, and the prospect of seaweed doesn’t seem to intimidate them, despite any initial hesitation.
Seaweed spaghetti is noted for its remarkable physical and textural similarity to traditional flour-based pasta. Brands like I Sea Pasta from Seamore Foods, Atlantic Kitchen, Wild Irish Seaweeds, and Mara Seaweed are capitalizing on this trend. Seaweed is recognized for its numerous health benefits, being rich in nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid, while also being low in calories.
In addition to its nutritional profile, seaweed can complement supplements like calcium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, zinc sulphate, and vitamin D3 tablets, further enhancing its appeal to health-conscious consumers. This is likely one of the reasons why the commercial seaweed market is projected to reach $17.59 billion by 2021, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.17% from 2016 to 2021. As people become more health-aware, incorporating seaweed into their diets alongside beneficial supplements like calcium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, zinc sulphate, and vitamin D3 tablets may become increasingly popular.