Green Caviar – Umibudo

At We Supply Yachts we love special and beautiful products, this is one of them! Have you ever heard of “Umibudo”? The Japanese name literally translates to sea (umi) grapes (budo). It’s a kind of algae species (caulerpa lentillifer) that is very popular in Japan’s southern prefecture of Okinawa and in some parts of south-east Asia.

The name comes from the appearance of the seaweed that looks like tiny clusters of green grapes.

The bubbles are actually the leaf part of the underwater plant. They grow on a long stem that is also edible.

Sea grapes in Okinawa have been farmed for hundreds of years and are known as a staple of the food culture of the prefecture. Because they are native to many parts of the Indo-Pacific coast, other cultures have also incorporated this edible seaweed into their cuisine to various degrees. Other than Japan, sea grapes are also quite popular in the Philippines and Malaysia, most notably.

The taste is slightly salty with an oceanic freshness to it. Most umibudo lovers would probably argue that the best thing about this food is its texture. The little bubbles burst in your mouth when you eat them. The Japanese call this a “puchi puchi” texture, which is an onomatopoeia used to refer to little things bursting.

In Okinawa, they are often eaten raw, with soy sauce, or a mix of soy sauce, vinegar, and mirin. This is a kind of side dish that you can find in many restaurants. Sea grapes go particularly well with beer!
The umibudo is also added to sashimi dishes to make what is called an “umibudo don”, which is a bowl of rice with sashimi and umibudo on top. A sauce called “sanbaisu” 三杯酢 is poured on it. Sanbaisu is made of soy sauce, vinegar, and mirin in about equal proportions. If you have the chance to go to Okinawa, this is definitely a dish worth trying.
The nice taste and texture is not the only reason you should try umibudo. Indeed, the seaweed is packed with vitamins and minerals. They are considered a good source of vitamins A and C, calcium, zinc and iron. They also contain a high level of vegetable protein per calorie and a good amount of omega3 fatty acids too. The consumption of sea grapes might be one of the reasons why Okinawans live so long.

BUTTON WE SUPPLY YACHTS

At We Supply Yachts, we share the passion for quality that you know and expect from the Dutch superyacht industry.

We work exclusively with sole suppliers for all our main product types. Our exclusive partner for meat specialises only in meat, sourced from wherever the finest cuts are to be found. Our first-rate fishmongers are acknowledged the world over for their excellent catch. And our superior greengrocers know their fruit & veg inside out, often sharing exciting products such as square melons and edible flowers from the finest sources.

All our partners enjoy helping chefs make the onboard dining experience

unforgettable. And in addition to providing the most exquisite food, We Supply Yachts also supports you with a wide range of other products, from engine room parts to luxurious linens.

Everything we do at We Supply Yachts revolves around understanding your needs and guaranteeing you the high-end products and services that you – and the boss – demand.

Leveraging on a Dutch no-nonsense, can-do attitude, we do things our way to make sure they’re done your way. At your command…