Description
Saccharina latissima is a brown seaweed (class Phaeophyceae), of the family Laminariaceae. It is found in the north east Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea south to Galicia in Spain also is common round the coasts of the Ireland. The seaweed is found at sheltered rocky sea beds
Sweet Kelp Saccharina latissima is a yellowish brown colour with a long narrow, undivided blade that can grow to 5 metres (16 ft) long and 20 centimetres (7.9 in) wide. The central band is dimpled while the margins are smoother with a wavy edge. The frond is secured to the rock in the intertidal and sulittoral zones by a claw-like holdfast and a short, pliable, cylindrical stipe. When dry the colour will be a dark yellowish brown. The Sweet Kelp contains a natural sugar content which can be seen on the surface of the plant.
Cooking
Can be cooked as a sea vegetable or used as a flavour enhancer.
