Laver

Round Laver

　　    Laver is a type of red algae belonging to the Rhodophyta division and Bangiaceae family, which grows on rocks in the intertidal zone of shallow seas. It appears as a thin, membranous sheet, typically in purple or brownish-green hues. The main varieties include sweet laver, brown laver, and round laver. It is rich in protein and essential minerals like iodine, phosphorus, and calcium, as well as all twelve amino acids necessary for human health. According to records in the Compendium of Materia Medica, it also has health benefits such as clearing heat, detoxifying, aiding weight loss, preventing constipation, lowering blood pressure, and fighting cancer. Regular consumption contributes to overall well-being. The local round laver is cultivated in shallow seas teeming with microorganisms, where it grows naturally with the rise and fall of tides using bamboo poles as supports. Selected for optimal growth based on the region’s climate and abundant microbial content in the tidal flats, this premium light-purple laver is farmed locally. (Wenling)