Waitrose predicts seaweed will be a must-have ingredient of 2021
Waitrose has predicted that seaweed is likely to be a must-have cooking ingredient of 2021 after seeing sales rise by 23% last year.
The supermarket said seaweed is fast becoming a store cupboard staple for scratch cooks who use it as a garnish for noodle dishes and for making a crispy side salad or umami rich dressings.
Waitrose said searches on its website for ‘seaweed’ were up 141% in 2020 compared to the previous year.
Jenna Doran-Twyford, Cooks Ingredients buyer at Waitrose, said: “Seaweed is an incredibly versatile ingredient and it’s great that customers are becoming more aware of its uses. We’ve noticed our customers wanting to understand the true nutritional value of what they are eating, as well as becoming more adventurous in the kitchen.
“By trying out different cuisines, we expect seaweed will continue to grow in popularity and our Cooks’ Ingredients range aims to introduce budding home-cooks to new and exciting culinary trends and we are glad they have embraced seaweed so quickly.”
A recent Waitrose food and drink report said Asian store cupboard ingredients is one of the fastest growing categories for sales in its Cooks’ Ingredients range.
