Although its name may not be particularly appetizing, bladderwrack is actually quite tasty. The plant can be used fresh, but its flavor is greatly enhanced when dried. New England clam bake enthusiasts not only enjoy snacking on the dried kelp “as is” but also know that a layer of bladderwrack smoldering in the clambake pit will impart salty-smoky flavor to the seafood and vegetables steaming above.

Bladderwrack contains significant amounts of mucilage, protein, vitamin C and polysaccharides, including fucoidans, fucans and algin. Bladderwrack is also a rich source of natural iodine and trace minerals.