These Seaweed Chips Swim Against the Tide of Traditional Snacks
Akihiko Tse — January 2, 2014 — Lifestyle
References: oceanshalo
Inspired by a fusion blend between a commonly consumed Asian food and tortillas, Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips are the first chips to be made from sustainably harvested and nutrient-rich seaweed.
Mike Shim, one of four fathers to found the company, grew up snacking on seaweed, but realized that it often created a lot of waste. His principal co-founder, Robert Mock, was from Dallas, Texas—farther away from the ocean than Shim—and raised on tortilla chips. Talking over dinner one day about seaweed, the two came up with the idea of combining the two and creating a “friendly,” healthier form of a chip that was salty, crunchy and “had that great umami hit,” according to Shim.
The Seaweed Chips first hit store shelves in September 2013 in the San Francisco Bay area. The oceanic bites are packed with various minerals and vitamins. Each chip has a natural, dark colour with a S-shaped curvature, packing only 85 calories and 2.5 grams of fat per serving. Coming in four flavours—Chili Lime, Sea Salt, Korean BBQ and Hot and Spicy—the Seaweed Chips won the “Best of the Press” award at the 2013 Natural Products Expo East.
Mike Shim, one of four fathers to found the company, grew up snacking on seaweed, but realized that it often created a lot of waste. His principal co-founder, Robert Mock, was from Dallas, Texas—farther away from the ocean than Shim—and raised on tortilla chips. Talking over dinner one day about seaweed, the two came up with the idea of combining the two and creating a “friendly,” healthier form of a chip that was salty, crunchy and “had that great umami hit,” according to Shim.
The Seaweed Chips first hit store shelves in September 2013 in the San Francisco Bay area. The oceanic bites are packed with various minerals and vitamins. Each chip has a natural, dark colour with a S-shaped curvature, packing only 85 calories and 2.5 grams of fat per serving. Coming in four flavours—Chili Lime, Sea Salt, Korean BBQ and Hot and Spicy—the Seaweed Chips won the “Best of the Press” award at the 2013 Natural Products Expo East.
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Snacking - Opportunity for companies to develop snacks using sustainably harvested ingredients, promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental conservation.
2. Fusion Foods - Opportunity to create unique food blends from different cultures and regions that cater to diverse palates and attract consumers seeking new and exciting tastes.
3. Nutrient-dense Chips - Opportunity to create healthier snack options by using nutrient-dense ingredients such as seaweed, appealing to health-conscious consumers seeking alternative options to traditional chips.
Industry Implications
1. Snack Foods - Opportunity for companies to develop new snack products using healthier and sustainable ingredients, targeted towards consumers seeking nutritious and environmentally-friendly snacking options.
2. Natural Products - Opportunity for companies to create and distribute innovative natural products that emphasize the use of eco-friendly ingredients, targeting consumers that prioritize health and environmental impact when making purchases.
3. Food Fusion Restaurants - Opportunity for restaurants to create fusion menus that blend different regional and cultural foods, appealing to adventurous foodies seeking new and exciting flavors from around the world.
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