Purple laver
Porphyra umbilicalis
Family: Bangiaceae
What it is like
A red seaweed. It is fleshy. It spreads 10-30 cm across. It has a soft rubbery texture. The holdfast is thin, small and like a disk.
Women in South Wales who regularly ate laver bread were found to develop less breast cancer.
Where it is found
It grows in the intertidal zone of the Atlantic Ocean.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Britain, Canada, Europe, France, Iceland, Japan, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Scandinavia, Spain, USA, West Africa
How it is used for food
It is eaten raw or cooked and fresh or dried. It is pureed and sold as laverbread. It is used in a range of dishes. Laver sauce is used with meats especially mutton.
Edible parts
Seaweed, frond, algae
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Atlantic nori, Chichima kuro nori, Fjaerehinne, Purple laver, Sloke