Holistic Chef Academy

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Services
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Services
ร—
  • homemade-vegan-pasta-dough
    Vegan Pasta Dough
  • homemade-hibiscus-tea
    Hibiscus Tea (Rosella Tea)
  • festive-vegan-egg-nog-in-a-glass
    Vegan Eggnog
  • vegan-mushroom-gravy-sauce-poured-over-cauliflower
    Vegan Mushroom Gravy
  • fresh-honey-roast-parsnips-ready-for-eating
    Honey Roast Parsnips
  • festive-vegan-nut-roast-sliced-at-the-table
    Festive Vegan Nut Roast
  • teff-flour-pancakes
    Teff Pancakes
  • festive-christmas-cake-sliced-ready-to-eat
    Vegan Christmas Cake
  • foods-to-lower-blood-pressure
    Top 5 Foods to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally with Healthy Recipes
  • barmbrack-recipe-sliced-with-vegan-butter
    Vegan Irish Barmbrack | Bรกirรญn Breac
  • thai-massaman-curry-in-a-bowl
    Tempeh Massaman Curry
  • coconut-tortilla-flatbread
    Coconut Tortilla Breads
Home ยป ingredients

Spirulina | Food of the future

2nd April 2020 by Jamie Raftery Leave a Comment

Spirulina, often hailed as the "food of the future," is a microscopic algae with centuries-old roots in human consumption. Despite often being mistaken for a herb, Spirulina is a bacteria thriving in freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers.

Its remarkable nutritional value and health benefits have made it a staple for vegetarians, vegans, and health-conscious individuals worldwide.

dried-spirulina-in-a-bowl

Historical significance

Dating back 3.5 billion years, Spirulina holds a pivotal role in Earth's evolutionary history.

As cyanobacteria, these single-celled organisms pioneered photosynthesis, paving the way for the development of terrestrial plants and oxygen-breathing life forms.

Spirulina's legacy extends to ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, who revered it for its nutritional prowess. From Aztec emperors to modern-day health enthusiasts, Spirulina's journey is a testament to its enduring appeal.

powdered-and-tablets-of-spirulina

Cultivation and availability

Spirulina stands out for its efficiency in synthesizing concentrated nutrients in the quest for sustainable food sources. Cultivated commercially across the globe, major producers include Japan, India, China, the USA, and Australia.

Both green and blue varieties are readily available, offering you a versatile and nutrient-rich dietary option year-round.

spirulina-growing-in-a-commercial-farm

A nutritional powerhouse

Diving into its nutritional composition reveals Spirulina's superfood status. With 70% complete protein and a balanced array of essential amino acids, it surpasses many conventional protein sources.

Additionally, Spirulina boasts an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, making it a comprehensive nutritional powerhouse in a single serving.

spirulina-powder-on-a-spoon

Nutritional content

Scientific research underscores Spirulina's potential health benefits, with over 1,800 peer-reviewed articles attesting to its efficacy.

Here is the nutrition breakdown from the USDA Food Data Chart

vegan-key-lime-pie-on-a-chopping-board-ready-to-slice

Incorporating spirulina into your diet

Harnessing this super green algae's nutritional benefits is simple and rewarding. From fresh smoothies to nutrient-packed energy balls, the possibilities are endless.

However, its potent flavor needs gradual incorporation into recipes, ensuring a palatable experience for all! The unique flavor can be balanced with acidic ingredients such as citrus or passion fruit.

We vote with our forks and knives every day. Our food choices impact the environment. Read my recent article here on 'The environmental impact of the food we choose to eat'

powdered-and-tablets-of-spirulina

Supplementation Considerations

While dietary incorporation is beneficial, supplementation offers a concentrated dose of Spirulina's nutrients. When opting for supplements, sourcing from reputable suppliers ensures quality and efficacy.

Additionally, consulting healthcare professionals for personalized guidance is advisable, especially for those with specific dietary needs or medical conditions.

spirulina-charged-desserts

Algae powered recipes

Spirulina can elevate various dishes, transforming mundane meals into nutrient-packed culinary delights. You can add spirulina to breads, pastries, plant milks, cakes, raw desserts, pancakes, salad dressings, smoothies, juices, ice cream, and many more recipes!

SuperGreen Juice

Celery, cucumber, apple, broccoli, spinach, kale, lime, ginger, and spirulina
View E-mail Print Save Go to Collections
supergreen-juice-in-a-bottle-with-raw-ingredients

Spirulina & Cacao Energy Balls

High protein, alkalising, gluten-free, raw energy snacks
View E-mail Print Save Go to Collections
spirulina-immune-boosting-energy-balls

Key Lime Pie

A healthier rendition of classic key lime pie, with the addition of avocado for creaminess and spirulina for depth of color. This recipe is bursting with the flavors of bright citrus and luscious tropical coconut. A healthy vegan key lime pie recipe that's straight forward to make, no baking required and everyone can enjoy.
View E-mail Print Save Go to Collections
vegan-key-lime-pie-cheesecake-ready-to-slice

Blue Spirulina Energy Balls

Cashew, date, coconut, and blue spirulina energy balls
E-mail Print Save Go to Collections
blue-spirulina-energy-balls

Pumpkin Seed MIlk

Quick and easy pumpkin seed milk. It's dairy-free, vegan, delicious and packed full of nutrition.
View E-mail Print Save Go to Collections
pumpkin seed milk and ingredients
fresh-spirulina-harvesting

Fascinating Spirulina Facts

  1. Space Age Superfood: Spirulina holds the distinction of being one of the few foods recommended by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) for astronauts on long-term space missions. Its compact form, high nutritional content, and ability to thrive in controlled environments make it an ideal candidate for sustaining human health beyond Earth's atmosphere.
  2. Oxygen Pioneer: Billions of years ago, Spirulina played a vital role in shaping Earth's atmosphere. As cyanobacteria, it was among the earliest organisms to engage in photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This oxygenation process laid the foundation for the development of aerobic life forms, ultimately shaping the planet's ecological balance as we know it today.
  3. Antioxidant Powerhouse: Despite its diminutive size, this green algae packs a potent punch in terms of antioxidant activity. Just 3 grams (1 tablespoon) of Spirulina contains more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity than five servings of vegetables combined. This antioxidant prowess not only supports overall health but also contributes to Spirulina's potential in combating oxidative stress and age-related diseases.

References

  • Scientific research studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=spirulina

More Ingredients

  • lions-mane-cover-photo
    Lion's Mane Mushrooms
  • buckwheat-flour-and-grain-in-a-bowl
    Buckwheat Groats - All you need to know
  • wolffia-globosa-fresh
    Wolffia Globosa (Duckweed) All you need to know about this miracle plant food
  • shiitake-mushroom-display
    Shiitake Mushrooms - Discover this fungi

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




holistic-chef-jamie-profile-picture

Hi, I'm Jamie

I'm from Galway in the West of Ireland. I've been cooking in Michelin Star kitchens for most of my career. In 2015 I launched The Holistic Chef Academy to focus on the nutritional aspects of food.

Educate - Inspire - Empower became my mantra and mission. Currently, I'm living and cooking between Ireland and Thailand.

The Holistic Chef Academy is a place for discovering healthy and wholesome plant-based vegan recipes.

Read more about Jamie

Cooked @

brand-logos-for-restaurants-jamie-cooked-in

Juicing Resources

  • how-to-juice-cleanse-ingredients
  • 3-day-juice-cleanse-juices
  • preparing-beetroot-for-juicing
  • benefits-of-cold-pressed-juicing-cover

Trending Recipes

  • beetroot-marathon-smoothie
    Beet It Juice

  • turbo-smoothie-in-a-glass
    Turbo Charged Smoothie

  • golden-glow-juice-served-in-glases
    Golden Glow Juice

  • ginger-shot-booster
    Ginger Shot Immunity Booster

Footer

^ back to top


INFORMATION

About

Contact

Privacy Policy

Trustpilot Reviews

EXPLORE

Services

J-Me Curry Pastes

Subscribe

Meet The Team

CONNECT

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter