Back in the 1600s, many people refused to eat lobster. The sea creatures washed ashore in piles in what is now Maine. They were considered gross. Lobster was nicknamed “the poor man’s protein.” People in prison were fed lobster because no one wanted it. 

    Fast-forward to today. Lobster is now a fancy food. Maine holds a lobster celebration every year. It draws thousands of hungry fans. A whole lobster—complete with tail and claws—can cost $150 or more.

    Could another weird-looking food from the sea become popular? 

    Some scientists are hoping so. In the future, your go-to meal might be green, slippery, and a little slimy. We’re talking about algae!

    In the 1600s, many people would not eat lobster. The sea creatures washed onto the shores of what is now Maine. People thought they were gross. Lobster was nicknamed “the poor man’s protein.” It was fed to people in prison because no one wanted it. 

    Today, lobster is a fancy food. Maine holds a lobster celebration every year. Thousands of people go. A whole lobster can cost $150 or more.

    Could another weird-looking food from the sea become popular? 

    Some scientists hope so. In the future, your favorite food might be green, slippery, and a little slimy. We’re talking about algae!

    Back in the 1600s, many people refused to eat lobster. The sea creatures washed ashore in piles in what is now Maine. They were considered gross, and lobster was nicknamed “the poor man’s protein.” No one wanted it, so it was fed to people in prison. 

    Fast-forward to today. Lobster is now a fancy food. Maine holds a lobster celebration that draws thousands of hungry fans every year. A whole lobster—complete with tail and claws—can cost $150 or more.

    Could another weird-looking food from the sea become popular? 

    Some scientists are hoping it will. In the future, your go-to meal might be green, slippery, and a little bit slimy. We’re talking about algae!

    What is algae? The word refers to a large group of plant-like organisms. They’re found in bodies of water like oceans, rivers, and lakes.

    Many types of algae are safe for humans to eat. Seaweed is one of the most popular. People in Asia have eaten it for centuries. 

    If you’ve ever tried sushi rolls, you’ve probably eaten seaweed too. Dried seaweed is used to wrap these rolls. Many people enjoy bright-green seaweed salads. Seaweed is also used in soups, stir-fries, and even ice cream!

    Algae are plant-like organisms. They’re found in oceans, rivers, and lakes.

    Many types of algae are safe to eat. Seaweed is one type. People in Asia have eaten it for centuries.     

    If you’ve eaten sushi rolls, you’ve probably eaten seaweed. The rolls are wrapped in dried seaweed. Many people enjoy seaweed salads. Seaweed is also used in soups, stir-fries, and even ice cream!

    What is algae? The word refers to a large group of plant-like organisms that are found in bodies of water like oceans, rivers, and lakes.

    Many types of algae are safe for humans to eat. Seaweed, one of the most popular, has been eaten by people in Asia for centuries. 

    Have you tried sushi rolls? Then you’ve probably eaten seaweed, because dried seaweed is used to wrap the rolls. Many people enjoy bright-green seaweed salads. Seaweed is also used in soups, stir-fries, and even ice cream!

    Algae is often called a “superfood.” That’s because it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Some types of algae are also loaded with protein. That’s important. As the world’s population grows, scientists say we’ll need to find new protein sources. 

    Farming algae is also better for the environment than other types of farming. Right now, about 70 percent of the planet’s available fresh water is used to grow our food. But algae doesn’t need fresh water to grow. It can grow in salt water, like the ocean.

    Algae is often called a “superfood.” That’s because it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Some types are high in protein too. That’s important. As the world’s population grows, scientists say we’ll need new sources of protein. 

    Farming algae is better for the environment than other types of farming. Right now, we use about 70 percent of the planet’s fresh water to grow our food. But algae doesn’t need fresh water to grow. It can grow in salt water, like the ocean.

    Algae is often called a “superfood” because it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Some types of algae are also loaded with protein, which is important. As the world’s population increases, scientists say we’ll need to find new protein sources. 

    Farming algae is also better for the environment than other types of farming. Right now, about 70 percent of Earth’s available fresh water is used to grow our food. But algae can grow in salt water (like the ocean) and doesn’t require fresh water.