Nori

seaweed · japanese food · ocean plant

Comes from red algae. Nori is made from special red seaweed species called Pyropia that grow in the ocean. People harvest it, dry it out, and press it into thin, crispy sheets.

Wraps sushi perfectly. When you eat sushi, that dark green or black wrapper holding everything together is usually nori. It also wraps around rice balls called onigiri, which are popular snacks in Japan.

Distinctive strong flavor. Nori has a salty, slightly sweet taste that's pretty unique. Many people love it, though the flavor takes some getting used to if you've never tried it before.

Grown and harvested. Nori farms exist in the ocean where farmers grow the seaweed in special nets and frames. When it's ready, they harvest it and dry it in the sun, kind of like how raisins are made from grapes.