With so many sushi seaweed packs available on the market, choosing the right one for your recipe or needs can be confusing. Apart from considering the seaweed’s quality, you need to consider its nutritional content, size, thickness, texture, and more. This can easily become overwhelming, but don’t worry! We’ve prepared a comprehensive buyer’s guide outlining the top factors to consider. Before you know it, you’ll be choosing high-quality sushi seaweed and rolling delicious sushi rolls right in your kitchen. Let’s take a look!
What Are the Health Benefits of Sushi Seaweed?
Many people think that nori or seaweed sheets are just a garnish or ingredient of Japanese cuisine. However, they’re so much more than that. Eating seaweed is extremely beneficial for our health and body. Below, we explain some of the major health benefits of sushi seaweed:
- Seaweed has a high fiber content, which helps regulate bowel movements and prevents constipation
- Because seaweed is low-carb and low-sugar, it’s the perfect snack or ingredient for those trying to cut their carb and sugar intake
- Highly beneficial for the heart, sushi seaweed is also trans-fat-free
- Nori’s multiple vitamins and minerals help you stay energetic, active, and healthy
- Some seaweed varieties also feature antioxidants that may prevent cancer and early aging
What To Look for in a Pack of Sushi Seaweed
Number of sheets
Each sushi seaweed pack comes with a different number of sheets so first, you need to decide whether you need a large or a small pack. If you and your family eat sushi regularly, we recommend choosing a large pack of seaweed sheets; look for a pack with 50 sheets or more. This sized pack will last a long time so you’ll always have seaweed on hand for your next sushi gathering. However, if you simply want to experiment with making sushi or if you don’t plan to eat it regularly, choosing a small-sized pack makes the most sense — for instance, a pack with 10-20 sheets.
Sheet size and thickness
There are two different sushi seaweed packs available based on size: Full-cut and half-cut. Full-cut nori sheets are larger and are ideal for making long sushi rolls. Half-cut seaweed sheets are half the size and are best suited for making small, snack-sized rolls or for use as a garnish on soups or salads. In addition to the seaweed’s size, you should also consider its sheet thickness. In the majority of seaweed packs, the nori sheets are thin, almost like paper. These are best for adding crunchiness and crispiness to your dish. However, keep in mind that thin sheets can easily tear when rolling sushi. Therefore, for rolling sushi, be sure to choose a higher-quality, thick nori sheet.
Quality
When choosing a seaweed pack, we recommend choosing a pack that is of high quality. For instance, look for sushi seaweed that has no added preservatives, or artificial and GMO ingredients, all of which can be harmful to the body. Nori is known for having a low carb and sugar content and for being gluten-free. Because of this, seaweed can often be enjoyed by almost everyone, regardless of their diet. Lastly, a thick sheet of seaweed has a higher quality than a thin sheet. To check this, simply hold the seaweed sheet up to the light; a premium quality seaweed sheet won't have any holes or uneven surfaces.
Resealable bag
We recommend choosing a sushi seaweed that comes in a resealable bag. Resealable bags will prevent moisture from getting into the bag. Therefore, if you can reseal the bag, you’ll be able to store your seaweed without risking it becoming soft or soggy. This is especially important if you live in a place with high humidity. Ultimately, resealable bags help extend the shelf life of your sushi and keep it fresh.
Texture
Sushi seaweeds are roasted after harvesting, a process that gives them a crispy texture. Some nori sheets have the crispiest texture because they’re roasted twice at a high temperature. Depending on your preference, you’ll want to either choose a lightly roasted nori sheet (which will have a chewier, softer texture) or a twice-roasted nori sheet (which will be crispy and perfect for sushi rolling).
Healthiness
For those looking for healthy seaweed to add to their diet, we recommend checking the nutrition facts before making your purchase. Seaweed should be low in carb and sugar and trans-fat-free. It should have high protein and fiber content.
How Much Is a Pack of Sushi Seaweed?
Sushi seaweed packs can cost between $4 and $14. A pack of 50 full-cut nori sheets will cost more than $10. However, a pack of 100 half-cut nori sheets will be much cheaper. Similarly, twice-roasted seaweed packs are more expensive than packs of lightly roasted nori.
How Can You Use Sushi Seaweed?
Sushi seaweed is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. While nori is most well-known for making sushi rolls, you can also use it for preparing countless recipes. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Onigiri or rice balls wrapped in nori
- Vegan sushi salad bowl with avocado, nori bits, sliced carrots, sticky rice, and tofu
- Vegan carrot lox, where nori is used for making the salty-tasting brine
- Miso soup featuring nori, miso, mushrooms, and spring onions
- Nori-infused crab cakes
- Deep-fried tofu wrapped in nori sheets
