We often talk about algae as part of the Wheel of Five. It would actually become the Wheel of Six. With its many nutrients, algae fit perfectly into the algae and seaweed picture. At plnktn, we want to make algae accessible to everyone. That's why we offer algae in various shapes and sizes. Want to start adding algae to your diet? There are several ways to do so. Read on:
1. Algae for breakfast: plankton capsules
For both good gut health and a well-functioning body, it's important to incorporate plenty of variety into your diet. The rainbow on your plate or in your weekly meal plan is your guideline. Every fruit and vegetable has its own properties, and you want a little of each. The same goes for algae. There are thousands of varieties, and each one has its own function and characteristics. Think of antioxidants, gut-friendly fiber, protein, minerals, and amino acids. To make adding algae to your lifestyle easy, we offer algae supplements, such as plankton capsules . These plant-based capsules contain a blend of five types of micro and macro algae. With 2 grams per day (equivalent to 4 capsules), you'll get a substantial dose of nutrients right away.
2. Replacing existing supplements
Did you know that algae can often offer a sustainable alternative to existing supplements? The beauty of it, we think, is that we can extract all your nutrients from a single source. So, no crazy synthetic additives are needed to provide you with that extra support. Think of magnesium from algae , a mineral you normally get from food – which you can also get from algae as a bonus. Or Omega-3 straight from the source : algae – fish don't produce Omega-3 at all, so you could easily swap that fish oil for algae oil. And also Vitamin D3 , for example, which is often derived from lanolin, sheep's wool fat, which is also easily obtained from algae.
3. Add as vegetables to your plate
We found only a few products in supermarkets containing algae or seaweed, let alone the pure green gold. And even at the Albert Cuyp Market, we were met with strange looks when we asked about algae. It's a relatively unknown food source, and we'd like to highlight it. At organic supermarkets like Odin or EkoPlaza, you can now find dried seaweed, which you just need to soak for a while before adding to your salad. That's a start!
At plnktn, we offer so-called "toppers "—that is, top your meal with algae. We have two products for this:
- Spirulina Nibbs - these are mini, crunchy algae that you can easily add to a yogurt bowl (mixed with granola) or açai bowl, as a soup topper, or a salad, for example. They're also incredibly high in protein, so just 1 tablespoon provides a generous dose of nutrients.
- Seaweed seasoning - add seaweed to your spice cabinet! The umami flavor can really enhance your meal. It's a great way to top your sandwich with hummus or a vegetable spread, for example. But seaweed also goes well on a slice of cheese, so give it a try. The grinding process makes it harder to ingest 2 grams of seaweed, but every step contributes to your introduction to seaweed—even if it's just the flavor :)
4. Processing algae in dishes
Besides taking plankton as a supplement, some people also enjoy mixing plankton powder with water. Some love this, while others need some time to get used to the algae's flavor profile. Therefore, you can also incorporate plankton powder into dishes in other ways. A few tips from the plnktn team:
- Plankton powder in your smoothie (Green Hulk, add a sweetener like banana!)
- Replace the nori with plankton powder and vegan mayo in, for example, this Vegan Okonomiyaki from Veggilaine.
- Plankton burgers - make your own vegan burgers with brown rice, black beans, parsley, lime, a scoop of plankton powder, salt & pepper.
- Dough with plankton powder. Make your own wraps, savory pancakes, cookies, or bread with plankton. It also adds a nice color to the dough.
- Spreads & dips, think of the pea/mint spread with a touch of algae?
PS Did you know that our plankton is used as the main ingredient in Michelin-starred Chef Joris Bijdendijk's Rijks Restaurant ? Its unique flavor profile pairs perfectly with his now signature dish, the beetroot millefeuille. We're proud of it.
5. Cooking with algae oil
There's a lot happening in the world of algae. We're increasingly discovering the endless possibilities of this microorganism in the kitchen. Besides seaweed seasoning, you can now also cook with algae oil. The American company The Algae Cooking Club develops algae-based cooking and baking oil. Something for plankton?*
Please note: The Algae Cooking Club's algae oil does not yet comply with Dutch law. We're looking into it.
Interested in adding algae to your diet? Hopefully, this article will get you started. Do you have any questions? Do you have any suggestions, like your own great recipe? Let us know at info@plnktn.com. You can also DM us on Instagram .