Production and export
of wild seaweed: Frozen sea lettuce, frozen wakame, kombu, sea spaghetti…
Who are we?
We are an industry leader in the processing and bulk distribution of wild edible seaweed from the Rías Baixas to the world, pioneers in Spain in the process of washing seaweed with seawater. Our logistics capacity allows us to handle large volumes and supply full truckload orders, positioning us as a global and professional supplier.
We are the global benchmark in the export of frozen sea lettuce of exceptional quality. In addition, our expertise extends to key formats for the industry such as dehydrated sea lettuce and bulk dehydrated wakame.
The superior quality of our product begins in the waters of the Rías, one of the most nutrient-rich and cleanest marine areas of the North Atlantic, and is harvested by expert hands who know the resource inside out.
Our commitment goes beyond harvesting; we implement a rigorous quality control system and full traceability, from the exact point of extraction to the final delivery. This allows us to guarantee not only a product with superior organoleptic qualities, but also to offer safety and consistency in supply that is essential for our industrial partners on five continents.
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Varieties of edible seaweed
CODIUM
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
“Codium”
TASTE:
• Intense sea flavor reminiscent of goose barnacle and seawater
TEXTURE:
• Creamy.
KOMBU
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
“Laminaria ochroleuca”
TASTE:
• Iodine-rich and slightly smoky.
TEXTURE:
• Meaty and slightly cartilaginous, similar to “endive.”
PROPERTIES:
• High fiber content.
• Low fat content.
• Sugar-free.
• High in vitamin B9 (folic acid).
• High in: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), and Iodine (I).
• Source of Phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zn).
WAKAME
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
“Undaria pinnatifida”
ON THE PALATE:
• Subtle sea flavor.
TEXTURE:
• Thin, meaty sheet.
PROPERTIES:
• High in protein and fiber.
• Low fat content.
• Sugar-free.
• High in vitamin B9.
• Source of vitamin A.
• High in: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Iron (Fe), and Iodine (I).
• Source of Zinc (Zn).
SEA SPAGHETTI
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
“Himanthalia elongata”
TASTE:
• Reminiscent of fresh green beans, with a light sea essence.
TEXTURE:
• Crunchy and meaty.
PROPERTIES:
• High fiber content.
• Low fat content.
• Sugar-free.
• High in vitamin B9 (folic acid).
• Source of vitamins A, B1, and E.
• High in: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Iodine (I).
• Source of Iron (Fe) and Phosphorus (P).
GRACILARIA
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
TASTE:
• Fresh marine flavor.
TEXTURE:
• Crunchy
PROPERTIES:
• Rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus.
• Ideal substitute for animal protein.
• Rich in vitamin C.
• Rich in soluble fiber, produces a smooth and nutritious gel perfect for soups, sauces, or broths.
• Ideal for weight loss diets due to its high fiber content.
DULSE
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
“Palmaria palmata”
TASTE:
• Very delicate flavor reminiscent of some smoked foods like bacon or cured pork fat, initially salty, and subtly spicy at the end.
TEXTURE:
• Cartilaginous
PROPERTIES:
• Has very beneficial qualities for our body.
• Very rich in iron, also in potassium, iodine, and phosphorus.
• High fiber content.
• Excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B3 (folic acid), etc.
• High amount of vitamin B12.
• Low in calories and sugars.
SEA LETTUCE
FRESH · DEHYDRATED · SALTED · FROZEN
Characteristics
“Ulva”
TASTE:
• Intense sea flavor with hints of shellfish
TEXTURE:
• Thin and cartilaginous. Similar to parsley
PROPERTIES:
• High in protein and fiber.
• Low fat content.
• Sugar-free.
• High in vitamins A, B1, and B9.
• Source of vitamins C and E.
• High in: Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I), and Calcium (Ca).
ASCOPHYLLUM
POWDER · FRESH · DRIED
Characteristics
“Ascophyllum nodosum”
SMELL:
• Characteristic.
TEXTURE:
• Powder.
PROPERTIES
• Khaki color.
• Granulometry <50µm, <80µm.
• <15% moisture.
• 100% natural source of minerals, trace elements, and vitamins.
• Source of vitamins A and C.
• Allergen-free.
• High in: Calcium (Ca), fiber, and protein.
• Contains 10 times more minerals than vegetables.
AGAR AGAR
FRESH · POWDER
Characteristics
“Agar Agar”
TASTE:
• Completely neutral taste and smell, allowing its use in a wide variety of sweet and savory preparations without altering the original flavor of the ingredients.
TEXTURE:
• Mainly gelatinous and firm. Its gelling power is much higher than animal-derived gelatin. Depending on the concentration, it can create textures ranging from very soft and creamy to hard and brittle gels. In rehydrated strip form, it has a soft and slightly cartilaginous texture.
PROPERTIES:
• Exceptionally high soluble fiber content (around 85-90%).
• Low protein and fat content.
• Sugar-free.
• Source of minerals such as Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I), and especially rich in Calcium (Ca).
• Provides some vitamins, though less than other seaweeds, notably folic acid (Vitamin B9).
HQ Seaweed & Co: Leadership and Innovation
Strategically based in the Port of Vigo, HQ Seaweed & Co. is an industrial benchmark in the large-scale processing and supply of seaweed, serving international markets with the reliability and logistical capacity demanded by the modern industry. Our solid track record is founded on supplying wild seaweed of the highest quality, harvested from the rich Atlantic waters of Galicia.
Looking to the future, our main development focus is a pioneering project aimed at revolutionizing multiple sectors: the extraction and production of seaweed cellulose. This innovative biomaterial, obtained directly from our seaweed, is presented as a sustainable, ecological, and high-performance alternative to plant-based or synthetic cellulose, opening a new chapter in the bioeconomy and materials of the future.
Our facilities, visible in this aerial panorama of the Port of Berbés in Vigo, are not just an operations center; they are the link between one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems and industrial innovation. And under the shadow of the Rande Bridge, our floating cultivation plantations, cutting-edge in design and sustainability.
All our production, from raw seaweed to our cutting-edge seaweed cellulose, bears the guarantee seal of the Rías Baixas. The unmatched purity of its waters, combined with a sustainable harvesting model and strict quality control, ensures raw material with exceptional characteristics, which is the foundation of our success and, above all, that of our clients.
Contact Us
We will be happy to receive your message. Please complete the form below, and we will respond as soon as possible.
+34 606 130 045
info@hqseaweed.com
Puerto del Berbes
Darsena 1, local 5. 36202
Vigo. Pontevedra