Our mission is straightforward: to deliver the purest, healthiest and ultimate umami experience. From the ocean to your plate, our team is involved in every step of the process. We’re the divers harvesting in the water and the packagers and processors on dry land. We keep it simple because our sea vegetables are already packed with goodness. Wild harvesting seaweed allows us to sustainably gather one of nature's most nutritious treasures from the pristine waters along the Victorian coastline and around the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, where we focus on strong tidal plants flourishing in the first flush of Bass Strait waters.
Harvesting Techniques:
Each plant is carefully hand-cut and processed at sea, using traditional Japanese techniques, just minutes after harvest. This method allows us to maintain the highest nutritional and physical quality of the seaweed, ensuring that what reaches your plate is as fresh and beneficial as possible. After the initial processing aboard our boat, we return to our commercial facility to blend and package our diverse range of products. Our seaweed is then shipped across Australia, bringing the ocean's goodness to your table.
Understanding Seaweed Seasonality:
Australia boasts a rich variety of seaweeds, including native species and introduced ones like Wakame (Undaria Pinnatifida). Much like land vegetables, seaweed grows according to seasonal cycles. For instance, the optimal harvest season for Wakame is from July to November. As seaweed specialists, we carefully investigate crop locations before harvesting to ensure we take only mature plants that have reached the peak of their growth cycle.
The Impact of Climate on Harvesting:
Mother Nature and the changing global climate significantly influence the seasonal timelines and growth cycles of our seaweeds. Environmental conditions, such as unusual heatwaves or heavy rainfall, can alter the ecosystems where seaweed grows. These factors may lead to stress or die-off in the plants, which can shorten our harvesting cycles and ultimately affect stock levels. While maintaining stock is crucial for us, it’s important to recognise that as a natural product reliant on the ocean’s conditions, some aspects are beyond our control.
Commitment to Water Quality and Safety:
Since our seaweed is wild harvested, it is subject to various environmental factors that can affect its quality. To ensure we produce the highest quality seaweed products, we have implemented stringent procedures and regular testing protocols. We constantly monitor environmental fluctuations to maintain our quality levels. Given that seaweed absorbs nutrients from its dynamic ocean environment, it's crucial to regularly test for contaminants. We conduct thorough tests for harmful microbes and unsafe levels of minerals and trace elements through accredited third-party organizations, following the ANZ Food Code. After extensive consultations with the Victorian Health Department and local councils, we've also developed an independently audited food safety plan that governs the harvesting, processing and packaging of our Australian seaweed products.
Conclusion:
Wild harvesting seaweed is not just a method; it’s a commitment to quality and tradition. By hand-harvesting with care, we ensure that our seaweed nourishes you while maintaining the highest standards. Join us in celebrating this ocean gem and experience the flavours and benefits of responsibly sourced seaweed in your meals!