Online research by my partner led us to discover the lovely boutique company Læsø Tang, a passion project and multifaceted business revolving around the diverse seaweed that grows abundantly in the waters around the island.  The company is run by Rie Ladefoged, an expert in both the biology and the many uses of the seaweeds that flourish in the pristine waters along the coast.  Rie splits her days between leading excursions and educational sessions around seaweed, and sustainably harvesting her underwater crops to make food and other products which she sells in her small farm shop.

When we visited Læsø Tang, Rie kindly offered to take us on an excursion along the north coast of the island.  We suited up in waders and explored the shallows as she showed us the many species of seaweed that thrive there, and described the various ways they could be collected, dried, or used in cooking.  We learned that seaweeds are ocean bioaccumulators, sequestering pollutants from the water in their cells.  However, due to the clean, cold water that flows to Læsø from the north, the water is exceptionally pure, and the seaweeds therefore safe and extremely healthy to consume.

After our time in the water, we returned to her farm shop where we sampled some of Rie’s culinary creations, and took some of our fresh harvest away to cook for breakfast the next morning, following her instructions.  Our day stepping into Rie’s underwater world was interesting and fun, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again.