Sea grapes – an interesting yet unknown food
Imagine small vines of even smaller green grapes that live in the ocean. If you are like me, you wouldn’t believe such a thing existed. However, recently my friend approached me about this food he had discovered which he called “green caviar”. As soon as he said those words, I was interested, but when he told me about sea grapes health benefits and let me try one, my life was changed for the better.
Sea grapes, or better known as Umibudo in Japan, is a relatively unknown food around the world, except in the Pacific of course. A little warning is that despite the name of “green caviar” it doesn’t come from fish at all, it actually is seaweed. So if you happen to be a vegetarian you too can enjoy your own “caviar” at the dinner table. For those who have not been enlightened, have a seat and learn about the magic of sea grapes.
Multiple types of sea grapes?
Well yes, like many words there are many different meanings behind a word, and you can never be sure about what a person is talking about unless you have more background information. Throughout this article, I’m only talking about Japanese seaweed, compared to the sea grape trees.
For some background knowledge, sea grape trees are a certain kind of tree that lives in Southern America specifically and yields a fruit much like a regular grape but larger. However, this entire section could be summed up but we are talking about seaweed from Japan, not grapes in Florida.
What exactly are they?
The scientific name for these sea grapes is Caulerpa lentillifera. Essentially sea grapes are a certain type of seaweed, which has a long history in Japan. They are also considered to be an aquatic vegetable and even algae. As mentioned, sea grapes are farmed and processed in Okinawa, Japan. In Okinawa specifically, any restaurant you visit will have sea grapes on their menu in some way or another. Although sea grapes are very associated with Japan, sea grapes are eaten and farmed in other Asian countries such as Indonesia and China, which both have their own ways of eating them (Indonesia coats them with sugar!).
Even though it is considered a seaweed, it actually isn’t slimy at all! Unlike normal seaweed though, the umibudo has bubbles instead of a usual leaf that you would expect to see. These bubbles set sea grapes apart from other seaweeds as it is so unique. You may eat sea grapes, raw, with soy sauce or vinegar, or experience it as a side to a larger dish like a salad. We recommend that you should try it for the first time with rice and soy sauce. Whenever you become familiar with this, you can throw seagrapes in everything from a cucumber salad to ice cream. Or a more traditional use of sea grapes is eating them along with a soup or a thicker sauce.
Some people recommend that it should be eaten like sushi with wasabi. But usually, when you buy sea grapes, you will need to rehydrate them in a bowl of water for a few minutes. Seagrapes are very nutrient-dense with many important nutrients. The best seagrapes will be bright green or even olive green, but no matter the color they should be tender and juicy.
What do they taste like?
One of the most notable parts about them that pop out at you when you eat sea grapes, is that they pop when you bite into them releasing its refreshing, yet unique taste. They are very succulent and crunchy. Some people say that it’s taste reminds them of something like a cucumber. The taste will make you think of the saltiness of the Pacific Ocean.
Critics around the world rave about the bursting sensation that is experienced when they are eaten. These green caviar will also just improve your meals by providing more of a variety to them. The texture of what you are eating can change the entire experience of the meal.
How to preserve sea grapes?
As you may have figured out by now, sea grapes are seaweed, therefore, they are very delicate to extreme changes. After it is harvested in Japan, it is quickly dehydrated if it being shipped international or it is sold to restaurants relatively fast to keep the freshness available to the customers. Or if you are already in Japan you will be able to find them in gift shops and souvenir shops.
If sold internationally, the customer will have to rehydrate them as the water was previously removed. This is simply done by putting the sea grapes in a bowl of water and through osmosis, the water from the bowl will rehydrate the seagrapes. After this, the customer can eat as much as they want. However, you should be warned that sea grapes should not be refrigerated as it can destroy the soft, raw seaweed.
However, they should be in a cool location if you would want to preserve them for a long amount of time. At the same time, the sea grapes suffer if they are hydrated for too long.
Why should I eat them?
Well, to begin, it is a full experience that you simply won’t get anywhere else as they pop in your mouth. Although the flavor of anything can be argued for or against, sea grapes are simply refreshing to eat. Much like an average everyday grape, they can be something where you grab a vine and just start munching down.
Eating sea grapes is mostly about the experience of texture rather than the taste. They are great as a garnish on heavier meals as it enhances the experience of the meal. However, shockingly, the sea grapes health benefits are numerous.
Sea grapes health benefits
- Sea grapes are a great source of many vitamins such as A, B, C, K and beta carotene with a high nutritional value. It is considered that an aquatic plant such as sea grapes can hold over 1000 times more nutrients compared to the usual land plants.
- They can strengthen bones and joints as sea grapes are rich in protein, calcium and can soothe infections and stop arthritis. Sea grapes can also prevent thyroid goiters as they provide enough iodine in only thirty grams.
- Also, they can be good for overweight and dieting consumers as they do not have many sugars, but rather have many important nutrients and vitamins. In fact, it is considered that seagrapes only have about four calories per serving while providing all of the nutrients mentioned, so you will never gain weight by eating this snack.
- The vitamins are also associated with better-looking skin and healthier silkier hair. Interestingly enough, seagrapes are used in lotions and cosmetics to make your skin look better. Although it is hard to prove, many people believe the more sea grapes that you eat, the longer you will live.
- Some early research also supports that sea grapes may be a potential cancer treatment. Seagrapes are also associated with blood pressure normalization to counter diabetes, so if you are experiencing high blood pressure, sea grapes may be able to reduce your blood pressure to a more normal level.
Final thoughts: Sea grapes health benefits
So now that you know all of this information what do you do? Well, it’s obvious, go out and buy some! Some people may consider them to be expensive, as they begin at about three dollars a serving, but some things like sea grapes are worth spending the extra pennies to experience at least once in your life.
The benefits are infinitely large and there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t at least try it. So go to a local Japanese shop or order them online and enjoy some sea grapes. After all, some say that sea grapes help the Japanese live for so long.