What is Kombu and what is the benefit to using Kombu in Eden products?
Kombu is a dark brownish in color sea vegetable, also known as kelp. Its scientific name is Lainaria japonica. Eden's Kombu is hand harvested in pristine waters off the southeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. This type of kombu, known as 'Ma-konbu', is highly prized for its minerals, vitamins and trace elements. Its natural mineral salts have long been valued as a flavor enhancer and tenderizer, especially for cooking dry beans. We use it in Eden Organic Beans instead of salt; it's the tiny brown specks you see. Kombu is always used to make the delicious, Japanese, noodle broth called 'dashi', seasoned with shoyu soy sauce. It is a versatile sea vegetable, which imparts delicious flavor and healthful nutrients to soup stock, soup, stew, sauces and vegetable dishes. Kombu is low in sodium, and a good source of iodine, as are all sea vegetables. For those who cook with sea salt, which does not contain iodine, cooking with kombu and eating sea vegetables can be a valuable source of iodine in ones diet.
Where do Eden's sea vegetables come from?
Eden Sea Vegetables are the highest quality in the world, cultivated or wild, hand harvested in pristine, environmentally protected seas. All Eden Sea Vegetables, except Eden Organic Dulse, come from Japan where they are continuously fed and cleansed by Arctic Currents, and collected off shorelines that are protected as national natural treasures. Dulse, for Eden Organic Dulse Flakes, is hand harvested in a sustainable manner from pristine waters of Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada. Eden has frequently visited each area where our sea vegetables are grown and processed and we are proud to support these local crafts people.
Are there any benefits from eating sea vegetables?
Sea vegetables contain a whole spectrum of nutrients including calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, K, and trace minerals. The polysaccharide, alginic acid, found in brown sea vegetables such as kombu, arame, hiziki and wakame, has been found to bind with heavy metals found in the intestines, rendering them indigestible, and causes them to be eliminated from the body. In Nature, alginic acid protects these sea vegetables from bacteria and fungi. It has been observed that people living in areas of Japan where sea vegetables were eaten regularly enjoy long and healthy lives. Scientists have concluded that antioxidants in sea vegetables may promote immune system health.
Can Eden Agar Bars and Agar Flakes be used as a substitute for animal derived gelatin, and how is it used?
Yes. Eden Agar is a vegan quality, odorless, tasteless gelatin made for a variety of red sea vegetables that are simply boiled and naturally freeze dried in the cold of winter. Use the same as animal gelatin for vegetable and fruit aspics, custard, pie fillings and more. Simply follow the package directions, as they require soaking prior to using. The flakes dissolve faster than the bars and are more convenient to use, but the bars will give a slightly firmer texture and are worth the extra effort. Both are high in dietary fiber. The flakes are very low sodium and the bars are sodium free.
