Sugar Kelp
Saccharina latissima
Also known as Sea belt, Devil's apron
Culinary Profile
Sugar kelp has a savory and slightly sweet flavor. When dried, a white, sweet-tasting powder forms on the blade.
Crunchy texture
High in fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Sugar kelp are yellowish or dark-brown and green in color. They resemble large lasagna noodles and have a long narrow, undivided blade with a short thin stem. The central band of the blade is dimpled while the margins are smoother with a wavy edge. The crinkled blade gives the sugar kelp its other common names.
Biology
Sugar kelp reach maturity between 3 and 4 years of age. Their blade can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) long and 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) wide. Sugar kelp can live for 2 to 4 years and grow quickly in colder months.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh product when harvested is available February to May, while dried kelp is available year round.
Source
Commercially farmed in cold water regions along the East and West Coast of the United States and Alaska.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Sugar Kelp ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selenium | 70.6 µg | 6 / 106 | 94% |
| Iron | 1.63 mg | 8 / 111 | 93% |
| Zinc | 0.69 mg | 31 / 111 | 72% |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.55 µg | 36 / 106 | 66% |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 IU | 38 / 54 | 30% |
| Protein | 19.44 g | 40 / 111 | 64% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 196 mg | 55 / 104 | 47% |
| Choline | 29.3 mg | 65 / 65 | 0% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 28 mg | 92 / 104 | 12% |
| Phosphorus | 139 mg | 110 / 111 | 1% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Sugar Kelp.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Sweet and clean.
Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Sugar Kelp, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much selenium does Sugar Kelp provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Sugar Kelp carries 70.6 µg of selenium, about 128% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
Is Sugar Kelp a lean fish or a rich one?
At 86 kcal per 100 g raw, Sugar Kelp counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
How much protein is in 100 g of Sugar Kelp?
A 100 g raw serving of Sugar Kelp provides 19.44 g of protein — roughly 39% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
Sustainability Story
U.S. farmed sugar kelp is a smart seafood choice because it is grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.