Spirulina

Arthrospira spp., Limnospira spp. …

seaweed

A spiral-shaped cyanobacterium — what used to be called a blue-green alga — sold dried as powder or flakes, with a strong taste of the sea. It provides phycocyanin and chlorophyll.

Origin

Alkaline lakes (Chad, Mexico)

Season (United States)

all year round · grows in your region

Preparation

The powder or flakes are mixed in raw, a teaspoon at a time, into a smoothie, juice or yoghurt, or over a salad; its marine taste hides better when mixed. Its blue is a protein: heat destroys it — keep it cold. High in purines: to rotate rather than stack, if the ground is sensitive.

Molecules

Seaweed polysaccharides · Phycocyanin · ChlorophyllIn small amounts, not counted Plant iron · Iodine · Copper · Protein · Lysine · Tryptophan · Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) · Vitamin B3 (niacin)What slows things down Purines

Did you know?

The Aztecs harvested it from Lake Texcoco and sold it as cakes, under the name tecuitlatl; the Kanembu of the shores of Lake Chad still eat it.