Pingtan Seaweed

Pingtan Seaweed

　　Pingtan seaweed is a specialty of Pingtan County, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. Pingtan is the original birthplace of nori (Pyropia yezoensis) in China and also the cradle of its cultivation. With its high-quality, unpolluted waters, the seaweed produced here is superior to that from other regions.

　　Nori is delicious, affordable, and rich in nutrition, containing large amounts of essential amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, making it an exceptionally wholesome and health-promoting food. Currently, the cultivation area of nori in Pingtan exceeds 10,000 mu, mainly concentrated in towns such as Aodong, Su’ao, Nanhai, and Beicuo.

　　The most famous nori in Pingtan comes from Niushan Island and Tangyu. It is harvested manually using the most traditional methods, which not only preserve its natural aroma but also ensure that its nutritional value remains intact. Pingtan nori is rich in nutrients and has a sweet flavor, growing on shallow coastal reefs. The variety produced near the “Sea Altar Heavenly God” is considered the best. The “Sea Altar Heavenly God” is a stunning natural rock formation in Pingtan, with well-proportioned features resembling a human face lying on the beach with its feet stretching into the East China Sea — a truly magical sight. Perhaps the nori grown here is imbued with a touch of celestial essence, giving it not only a uniquely delicious taste but also health benefits such as clearing heat and reducing irritability, strengthening the stomach and spleen, resolving phlegm and improving water metabolism, as well as nourishing kidneys and benefiting the heart. It is especially nourishing when used to stew meat.