Why are some dried seaweed brown and some green?!
Why are some dried seaweed brown and some green?
Answers:
Some seaweed is brown, some are red and some seaweed is green based on the pigments in the algae itself. Most brown algae contain the pigment fucoxanthin, which is responsible for the distinctive greenish-brown color that gives them their name. The green algae has cholorphylls that give them a green color. Red algae and other colors such as yellow, and various shades of orange get their colors from carotine components similar to that of carrots.
There could be a couple of different reasons for it.
First off, different plants will dry differently, and retain their natural colors differently. This is just due to their natural pigmentation. If the seaweed was brown or red while it was fresh, it's not ever going to dry to a green color. :) And different green seaweeds could dry to a different shade as well.
Secondly, the drying method can also effect the end color. Different temperatures, humidities, and methods of drying can all change the end color of the product.
Lastly, some dried foods have artificial colors added to them afterward to make them look "better", so this could be the case with some dried seaweeds.
most likely different kinds. why is this in vegetarian&vegan section?
it could be different plants--- but in the case of Nori, the seaweed used in making sushi, it is brown when it is dried, and it turns bright green after it has been toasted. They sell both "raw" and "toasted" nori at my healthfood store.