Upcoming health food will taste like bacon

A number of health foods receive much buzz worldwide on a daily basis, whether in the marketplace, the media, the health food industry or all of the above.

There’re acai berry products with their rich fiber and antioxidants; matcha tea that boosts metabolism, burns calories, and detoxifies. Turmeric spice is also said to fight heart attacks, delay diabetes, fight cancer, reduce joint pain, protect the brain, and acts as a weapon against acne, anti-aging, dry skin, dandruff, and stretch marks. Coconut oil and flour reduce stress, maintains cholesterol and proper digestion, and helps with weight loss. Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, is packed with fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, and Vitamin B, and is said to strengthen the immune system and increase energy. And let’s not forget about kale.

So what’s next on this health food train?

Currently, scientists from the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Centre are growing a marine plant that’s more nutritious than kale and, better yet, tastes like bacon. It’s called Dulse, a red algae or seaweed, from the northern Pacific and Atlantic coastlines.

Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and protein, Dulse products, including bacon-flavoured crackers and salad dressing, have already been created. However, the products aren’t yet available to the market since the seaweed’s expensive to harvest, currently sold at $90 per pound.

The Oregon State University scientists are working on a hydroponic farming system, growing Dulse in water rather than in soil, which makes the plant easier to grow and harvest.

Chris Langdon, a professor of fisheries at Oregon State University and involved in this project, said that “all that’s standing between you and the bacon-flavoured superfood right now is seawater and sunshine.”

Dulse products will surely sell as the world loves bacon—in the United States alone, bacon sales climbed to $4 billion in 2013 and sales are probably higher today. In anticipation of this bacon-flavoured health food, a mental image of bacon sizzling on a frying pan keeps recurring. What are you picturing? Will you be trying this bacon seaweed?