How to cook seaweed

Kelp is generally a type of algae, and because kelp is an algae that lives in seawater, it contains a large amount of iodine. Eating more kelp can help lower blood sugar and prevent high blood pressure and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, kelp has become a popular food among many elderly people. However, when cooking kelp, the elderly must stew it until it is soft to aid digestion. Next, I will explain to you a little method to quickly cook kelp.

1. Introduction of Kelp

Kelp is a large marine brown algae plant that grows in low-temperature seawater and belongs to the seaweed family. The sporophyte is large, brown, flat and ribbon-shaped, and can be up to 20 meters long. It is divided into leaf blade, petiole and holdfast, and the holdfast is in the shape of a rhizoid. The leaves are composed of epidermis, cortex and pith tissue, and there are spore sacs at the bottom of the leaves. It has a mucus cavity that can secrete slippery substances. The leaf edges are thin and soft, with wavy folds, and the leaf base is connected to the holdfast by a short columnar petiole. The whole body of kelp is olive brown, and after drying it turns into dark brown and black brown, with white powdery salt on it.

2. Why is kelp not easy to cook?

Kelp contains alginate and alginic acid. These substances are a kind of water-insoluble high polymer compound with strong water absorption and swelling properties. Once absorbing water, a sticky colloid will appear on the surface of the kelp, which can prevent further penetration of water. Therefore, it is difficult to thoroughly warm kelp, and most of the iodine it contains is on the surface, so long-term soaking can easily cause loss.

A better way to soak it is dry steaming: untie the bundle of kelp, steam it in a steamer for half an hour, then soak it in water overnight, and it will be crispy and tender. Or you can add a little alkaline flour or baking soda before steaming. The kelp glue can be easily dissolved by alkaline substances and will soften quickly when boiled. If you soak it in water, you can put some vinegar in the water, which can also soften the kelp quickly. You can also add a few spinach when cooking, because spinach contains a substance called oxalic acid, which can also soften the kelp quickly.

3. How does kelp become mushy after being boiled?

1. Complex cooking method

Before cooking kelp, steam it in water for half an hour and then cook it, so that the kelp will be rotten when cooked. Because the kelp is already half-cooked after steaming, it doesn't take long to cook. However, there is a disadvantage to doing so, which is that it is troublesome and time-consuming.

2. Convenient cooking method

Before cooking kelp, soak it in rice water or salt water, add some vinegar to the water, soak it for about 1 hour before cooking, so that it can be cooked quickly. This method is relatively simple and convenient, and is very suitable for use.

3. Scientific cooking method

You can add some spinach while cooking kelp, so it will be cooked quickly. Because spinach contains oxalic acid, it can soften the kelp quickly and make it easier to cook. This method is more effective, but its disadvantage is that it may affect the taste.

Kelp is inexpensive and of high quality, and is one of the vegetables we often eat. Kelp is easy to eat. It can be steamed, boiled or served cold. It is very easy to match! After the editor's explanation, I believe you have understood why kelp is not easy to cook, and you also know how to cook kelp! So what are you waiting for, hurry up and cook it and try it!