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All hail Spirulina, the most super of superfoods
Meet the spunky micro-algae that could help solve some of the world’s biggest food problems
Image: Kasper Kristofferson
We’re always on the lookout for the next big super ingredient. Something that tastes of the future, that's healthier, that'll change people’s minds about the way we eat, and that will inspire them to do so.
One such an ingredient is making a splash on international and local food scenes – and it has the bonus of not only being good for you, but for the planet too.
Say hi to the deep green micro-algae, spirulina.
Did you know you can get blue spirulina powder?
Unframed Ice Cream in Cape Town uses it to make their blue coconut vegan ice cream. Spirulina contains a pigment called phycocyanin that gives its deep green colour a slightly blue hue. This pigment is extracted to use as a colourant. As a bonus, it's also a powerful antioxidant.
PUTTING THE SUPER IN SUPERFOOD
Spirulina contains more beta carotene than carrots, more chlorophyll than wheatgrass, 50 times more iron than spinach and twice as much protein as meat. So, essentially, it is the most super of all superfoods.
Image: Supplied
This means it can be grown quickly, almost anywhere, and in a way that reduces greenhouse gases, without putting pressure on the environment.
Little wonder then that this super ingredient is popping up on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus around the globe.
In the Netherlands, you can buy yoghurt, energy bars, smoothies and even pet food containing spirulina. Locally, spirulina can be found mostly in smoothies on the menus of healthy fast food chains like Nü and Kauai.
Hopefully, we'll soon see a time when spirulina is as commonly used in SA as our other much-loved green, spinach.
• If you're as excited about using spirulina as we are, let us know. Snap a photo of the way you've experimented with it, or if you spot it on a menu, and tag @studio_h_ on Instagram.
• Hannerie Visser is an ever-curious investigator into food trends and the founder of experimental food design studio Studio H in Cape Town.