Contrary to popular belief, seaweed, often referred to as the green treasure of the sea, is not a recent culinary discovery. While we now incorporate it into sushi and various dishes,

archaeological research has unveiled that Europeans have been savoring this marine delicacy for an extended period, according to EOS Magazine.

In a study titled 'Human consumption of seaweed and freshwater aquatic plants in ancient Europe,' published in Nature Communications in October, an international team of archaeologists delved into dental calculus samples from 74 individuals originating from 28 different European sites scattered across the continent. The analysis revealed that people began consuming seaweed and freshwater plants as early as 8,000 years ago.

The research aimed to rediscover a food source that has enjoyed popularity in European cuisine for millennia. Although seaweed has been utilized for more than 45,000 years, only recently have we started to unlock the remarkable potential of this ancient organism.

Seaweed holds tremendous promise as a green resource due to its proteins and unique sugars. Various initiatives are already experimenting with seaweed, using it to create meat substitutes, serve as healthy animal feed, and environmentally friendly fertilizers. Furthermore, seaweed could play a vital role in combatting climate change by potentially reducing industrial emissions. Photo by Geoff Peters from Vancouver, BC, Canada, Wikimedia commons.