Finding healthy food is a lot easier said than done.

It almost seems as if we have to consume insane amounts of spinach, carrots, and other vegetables to get all of the nutrients we need to be healthy.

Here's where nutrient dense foods, such as spirulina, come into play.

Spirulina is considered a 'superfood' and provides you with all of the nutrients and minerals you need to not only survive but thrive. Even better, a little spirulina goes a very long way.

Again, they're nutrient dense - just like microgreens 😉

Let's quickly go over a few other aspect such as what spirulina is, its nutritional value / benefits, and more.

What is Spirulina?

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that can grow in both salt and freshwater.

It's a microscopic and multicellular organism, and it's also considered to be one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense superfoods we have access to.

While eating algae may not sound enjoyable, spirulina has a wide range of health benefits.

Spirulina, as far as human consumption is concerned, is available in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, drinks, and more. Having it already infused into your food/drinks helps minimizes worries about taste, as you can easily mix it in with your favorite beverages and foods.

What Does Spirulina Taste Like?

So, what does spirulina taste like?

While it is natural to be curious about its taste, this is generally irrelevant. This is because the blue-green algae is harvested from the water and made into its different forms before it is consumed.

Yes, spirulina, straight from the source, tastes like lake water or the sea. It has an earthy flavor with just a hint of sulfuric acid.

So, take caution when consuming it on its own!

However, when farmed or produced for human consumption, you would get a capsule, powder, or pill that does not have any flavor whatsoever (depending on the manufacturer).

We like to recommend the following as options, all of which are available on Amazon.

• Pure Hawaiian Spirulina by Nutrex Hawaii
• Organic Spirulina Powder by Micro Ingredients
• Organic Spirulina Superfood Powder by 365 (Whole Foods Market)
• Organic Spirulina Tablets by Micro Ingredients

So, no worries! Spirulina comes in perfectly palatable forms that you may even enjoy.

What Nutrients Does Spirulina Contain?

You might be curious about the appeal of supplements made with spirulina, such as the ever-popular Pure Hawaiian Spirulina.

Let’s take a quick look at the nutrients found in this simple yet amazing superfood.

·   Spirulina is packed full of vitamins. This includes but is not limited to, vitamins E, D, C, and many B Vitamins. In fact, you’ll get decent amounts of all of your B vitamins here.

·   Spirulina is also very rich in protein and is an excellent source of all 9 essential amino acids.

·   This seemingly simple algae is also full of antioxidants, such as phycocyanin, chlorophyll, carotene, and others.

·   Spirulina also happens to be very rich in a variety of essential fatty acids, mainly Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

·   This superfood contains a wide variety of minerals required for healthy body function, with the main ones being zinc, potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium.

How is Spirulina Grown?

Most of the spirulina available for purchase is grown in water (usually shallow bodies of water like ponds or lakes). However, this superfood can also be grown in bioreactors. 

Either way, spirulina is a type of algae, so water is always required for its growth.

Three of the most important elements required to cultivate spirulina are sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, in addition to a variety of nutrients.

How is Spirulina Used?                                     

The possibilities are nearly endless. 

Mix it in with a drink (juice, water, shake, etc), add a dash onto a dish, pour it into capsules, cook with it, and so on.

Check out our article below for better ideas

Diving into Spirulina: 10 Unique Ways to Use the Algae

Check out our article below for some great ideas

Diving into Spirulina: 10 Unique Ways to Use the Algae

Proteins and Amino Acids

The algae is a stellar source of protein.

Like we mentioned earlier, it's already got all 9 essential amino acids - which makes them a complete form of protein.

On top of that, spirulina is typically composed of 62% amino acids - thus pushing the case for it being an excellent nutritional supplement all on its own.

Whatever your reason is for adding it to your diet, your body will thank you.

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