Wenling Seaweed

Wenling Seaweed

　　Wenling seaweed is a specialty of Wenling City, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. Wugen Town in Wenling City is a major production base for seaweed along the southeastern coast of Zhejiang. Thanks to the high-quality local seawater, the seaweed has an excellent taste and is widely sold across the country. A seaweed farming cooperative has been established, and trademarks such as “Lezhiwei” and “Haizhihui” have been registered.

　　Seaweed is a general term for a variety of marine algae that grow in intertidal zones. It belongs to the red algae group. The leaf-like structure consists of a single layer of cells embedded in a thin gelatinous layer, and appears dark brown, red, or purple. Additionally, seaweed can be used medicinally in traditional Chinese medicine, offering benefits such as resolving phlegm, softening hardness, clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and nourishing kidney and heart functions.

　　There are many varieties of seaweed. In Fujian and southern Zhejiang coastal areas, Porphyra yezoensis is mainly cultivated, while in northern regions, Porphyra tenera dominates. Seaweed is harvested in stages; once the fronds reach a length of 15–20 centimeters, they can be collected. Harvesting can continue from late autumn through March to May of the following year. The harvesting periods are: early season from mid-September to late November; mid-season from early December to late February; and late season from early March to early April. For Porphyra tenera, harvesting runs from early December to May of the following year.

　　Wugen Town in Wenling City is a major production base for seaweed along the southeastern coast of Zhejiang. Thanks to the high-quality local seawater, the seaweed has an excellent taste and is widely sold across the country. Farmers in the Wugen area have been utilizing the unique shallow bay and tidal flat resources of Yueqing Bay to cultivate seaweed for decades, making it a well-known specialized seaweed farming village. The local seaweed farming area exceeds 4,000 acres, with over 800 farming households. A seaweed farming cooperative has been established, and trademarks such as “Lezhiwei” and “Haizhihui” have been registered.