Spirulina

What Is Spirulina?

Spirulina is the dried, powdered or tableted product of a spiral-shaped blue-green microalgae group that grows in fresh and salt water environments. It's known for its dark green-bluish color and dense protein content.

It has a distinctive, mildly sea-grassy taste. In cooking it's mostly added in very small amounts to smoothies, green drinks, energy balls and some mixes for color and nutritional value.

Nutritional Values of Spirulina

Spirulina powder contains dense protein and various minerals; however, since it's used in very small amounts (usually one or two grams), its total contribution to a meal is limited. For this reason a detailed nutrition table isn't given here.

How Should Spirulina Be Used?

Spirulina is a supplement used in small amounts; it's considered part of a balanced diet. Since algae products are sensitive to production conditions, it's important to buy from a controlled and reliable source.

This information is general; spirulina is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Spirulina?

Good spirulina has a dark green-blue color, fine and lump-free powder, a distinctive but not off smell, and comes from a controlled-reliable producer. Products of unclear origin or with mold or foreign odor are not preferred.

• Color should be dark green-blue, powder fine
• Should be from a controlled-reliable producer
• No mold or foreign odor

How to Store Spirulina?

Spirulina powder is stored in a sealed container, in a cool, dry and dark place; moisture and light spoil its color and quality. Keeping the lid tightly closed both preserves its scent and prevents it from absorbing moisture.

Using Spirulina in the Kitchen

Spirulina is used most in small amounts in green smoothies, fruit juice, energy balls, granola and some dough-cream mixes; it's also preferred for giving a natural green color. Due to its distinct taste, it's added in small amounts and balanced with fruit.

How Is Spirulina Added to a Smoothie?

Usually less than a dessertspoon of the powder is added to a fruit smoothie or water and mixed in; since it has a distinct taste, it's added little by little, to taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is spirulina used sparingly?

Its taste and color are very intense, so even a small amount is noticeable; that's why it's added to drinks and mixes in small, balanced amounts.

Why does spirulina's source matter?

Since algae products are sensitive to the water they grow in and production conditions, buying from a controlled-reliable producer is important for safe consumption.

What does spirulina taste like?

It has a distinctive, mildly sea-grassy and earthy taste; that's why it's mostly used balanced with fruit drinks.