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Summary
Nori is a type of edible seaweed made from purple laver, primarily cultivated along the coasts of Japan, Korea, and China, and is best known for its use in sushi, with Japan alone producing around 7 billion sheets annually. The production process involves harvesting, drying, shredding, and processing the seaweed into a paste, which is then spread, dried, and roasted at temperatures over 200 degrees Celsius, often seasoned with sesame before being cut to size. Besides sushi, Nori can be used in salads, smoothies, and as a wrapping for fish dishes; it is essential to slightly moisten the sheets before use to make them pliable. Nori is a rich source of protein and beneficial for vegetarians, but should be consumed in moderation due to its high iodine content, which can affect thyroid function if ingested excessively. It also contains significant amounts of vitamin A and various minerals, although its vitamin B content may not be fully utilizable by the body.Nori are edible seaweed sheets made from purple laver. They are primarily cultivated on the coasts of Japan, Korea, and China, and most people know them, of course, for their use in sushi preparation. Japan alone produces about 7 billion sheets a year, as Nori is an important food there.
Production
After the purple laver is harvested, it is immediately dried, shredded, and then, with the addition of more water, processed into a pulp. Following this step, this pulp is spread out by machine, dried again, and then roasted at a temperature of over 200 degrees Celsius. They are then seasoned with sesame and cut to the usual size.
Uses for Nori Sheets
Of course, Nori is not only used for the popular Maki Sushi, but also in salads, smoothies, and as a wrap for fish dishes. To use the sheets as sushi wraps, they need to be slightly moistened beforehand to make them flexible.
To make sushi rolls, you need rice, raw fish, and various vegetables. A flexible bamboo mat is also used for rolling. First, the mat is placed on a work surface, a sheet of Nori is placed on it, and then about a 1cm thick layer of rice is added. Some raw fish and vegetables are placed on top and then rolled up. This creates a roll that then has to be cut. It's a good idea to wrap the mat in cling film, as the rice is very sticky and can get into the grooves.
How healthy is Nori?
Nori is considered an excellent source of protein and is therefore particularly interesting for vegetarians. However, it's important not to consume too much of this sea vegetable, as Nori is very high in iodine. On the one hand, it is very good for bringing your iodine levels to a healthy level, which is especially important for people in Central Europe, but on the other hand, excessive consumption can lead to an overactive thyroid.
For a long time, it was thought that the plant contained high levels of vitamin B, but later studies were not always able to confirm this. The vitamin is present in the plant, but in a form that the body cannot process properly. Nori is also very high in vitamin A—higher than in most other vegetables.
In addition to the ingredients already mentioned, Nori also contains a whole range of important minerals and trace elements for the body.
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