Sea Grapes or caulerpa lentillifera is also known as Lato, Latok, and Green Caviar. It is a species of edible seaweed that is found throughout the Philippines and its neighboring nations. Sea grapes are a form of easily available seaweed that contains tiny air bubbles all around its stems. The bubbles pop readily in the mouth and provide a taste of the fresh southern sea that has a taste of salt. This sea grape seaweed is sticky when you bite into it and has a taste similar to sea water and other algae. The fruit was considered as a little, green cluster of grapes and due to prolonged exposure to sea water, it has a mild saltiness. This seaweed can be safely consumed because of its softness. The hues of sea grapes range from brilliant green to bluish green and olive green.
Sea grapes are thought to be very nutrient-dense. It contains healthy amounts of protein, calcium, and polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega 3 group (DHA, EPA, ALA), which improve memory and eyesight while lowering cholesterol, improving blood vessel fluidity, preventing oxidation, maintaining collagen structure in the arteries, and preventing cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
Sea grapes, which are rich in calcium, potassium, are effective at lowering blood pressure because they can cause excretion and help patients with high blood pressure maintain normal blood pressure. Sea grapes, which also include vitamin C, aid in controlling blood sugar levels, impede the propagation of free radicals, lessen the accumulation of sorbitol inside cells, and stop glucose and protein from binding together, reducing the risk of problems from diabetes.
Consuming 150g of sea grapes, which contain roughly 2mg of iodine and help prevent goiter or abnormal thyroid gland growth, is beneficial. Iodine, which is essential for the thyroid and can effectively remove goiter, can be obtained from 40g of sea grapes each day. Sea grapes have a delicate texture, a fresh ocean flavor, and a loud popping sound when they are chewed. It is consumed raw, and any high-heat cooking can ruin the dish's renowned texture. Make sure to give fresh sea grapes a few rinses in clean, cool water before eating them. This gets rid of the slightly fishy scent that was in the seaweed. For a nutritious side or snack, try it with a miso or soy-vinegar dipping sauce.
PDO I – Ayesa Gay A. Bejerano, RND
References:
What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? Do Sea Grapes Taste Good?
https://americasrestaurant.com/sea-grapes-taste/
What are sea grapes or lato?
https://panlasangpinoy.com/what-are-sea-grapes-or-lato/
15 Scientific Health Benefits of Sea Grape – Medical Uses – Beauty Treatments (Part 1)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/15-scientific-health-benefits-sea-grape-medical-uses-beauty-nguyen
