The World of Wild Irish Seaweed
A Seaweed Fairytale
“These Irish Seaweed products are the marriage of the wholesome produce of the land to the vitality of the ocean, that are lovingly craft gifts – creating nourishing, delicious foods that provide your body the micronutrients of the sea in the form of superfood seaweed pestos.”
Claire O’Sullivan was raised on a small family farm just outside Bantry town in Southwest Ireland. Growing up, seaweed played a fundamental role in the health of the land and her family- for many generations in Ireland, gathering and spreading seaweed on the land was key for encouraging fertility and a successful harvest.
In recent times, “remembrance of this ancient gift from our seas has been slipping away–Claire strives to have seaweed reintegrated into our food culture,” says Claire.
Claire’s secret weapon is her amazing partner Eli, who had a strong affinity for the sea from a young age. She states “he could swim before he could walk!” From the age of ten, he and his younger brother would sneak out of home before the morning light to go to work on the fishing boats in Bantry. By twelve he was skipper and has been working on boats ever since.
Eli always looks forward to a day connected to the sea whether on shore collecting seaweed, out on his boat fishing or greeting the sunrise driving the local ferry.
Together they make all the WASi products, hand harvesting, mixing, bottling and blending. Their passion for seaweed, it’s healing and nutritious qualities have led them to establish WASi. Creating delicious, user-friendly products they are determined to see seaweed back on kitchen tables everywhere for all to enjoy. For them, there isn’t another form of vegetation on the planet possessing such a perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.
Seaweed Pesto
Seaweed is far more nutrient-dense than any land vegetable and is an excellent source of micronutrients including folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and selenium. More importantly, it’s a great source of iodine. WASi’s Pestos bring all these benefits to your diet in a convenient, tasty and super versatile form. Loved by adults and children alike, our pestos are delicious spread on a slice of toast or added to any sauce for a wonderful umami flavour.
Based in Bantry Bay, on the South Western corner of Ireland, Claire and Eli ethically hand harvest the wild seaweed to create nutrient rich, easy-to-eat products. Just like every fairytale ending, the million-dollar question is, what next??
