Until the early Edo period villagers had harvested naturally growing algae by hand (in the 8thC it is recorded that some fishermen paid their taxes to the emperor in kelp), but farming allowed for cheaper and more readily available seaweed (a valuable food source in winter).

#seaweed #wakame #nori

The paper-making industry would inspire the creation of nori (海苔) in the 18thC.
Using similar techniques to paper production, seaweed was shredded, moulded and dried on racks, creating sheets of edible algae.
Nori would come to play an important role in Japanese cuisine🙌

#海苔 #nori #laver #seaweed

Opening a bamboo wrap to reveal delicious onigiri inside.
Opening a bamboo wrap to reveal delicious onigiri inside.