Nutrition

THE smell of sizzling bacon is one of the most irresistible kitchen aromas and now even vegetarians might be able to enjoy it without feeling bad. Oregon State University researchers have patented a new strain of red seaweed that they say tastes just like bacon. Called dulse, the marine algae has a “pretty strong bacon flavour” but has “twice the nutritional value of kale”, said lead researcher Chris Langdon. Mr Langdon said the algae was already harvested and usually sold for up to $ 240 a kilo in dried form as a cooking ingredient or nutritional supplement. “In Europe, they add the powder to smoothies, or add flakes onto food,” he said. “This stuff is pretty amazing. When you fry it, which I have done, it tastes like bacon, not seaweed. And it’s a pretty strong bacon flavour.”