Can you still eat kelp if it's moldy?

Due to its popularity, kelp can now be found everywhere in the vegetable market. However, many people will find a layer of white substance on the kelp, and they will wonder if it is moldy. Actually, it is not. The white substance on the kelp is not moldy but sea salt. It is left after the sea water evaporates after the kelp is brought ashore. There is no need to worry. This article introduces how to identify mold on kelp. Let’s learn about it together.

1. White frost is not mold

The dried kelp we usually buy home has a layer of white frost on the surface. The white frost on the kelp is not mold but sea salt, which is left after the water in the kelp evaporates. Soak the kelp for a while before eating it, wash off the white frost on it and then eat it. However, the surface of the kelp is rich in nutrients, so there is no need to wash it too much.

2. Don’t eat hairy animals

You need to tell whether the kelp is moldy or not. In fact, there is a big difference between mold and white frost. The kelp will have a musty smell after being moldy, so it is easy to identify. Don't eat kelp if it is moldy or hairy, because fungi have grown on the moldy kelp, which is harmful to the human body. Even if it is washed, it cannot be eaten.

3. Place it appropriately

In fact, kelp rarely gets moldy, unless you place it in a dark and humid place for a long time, it may get moldy, so when storing kelp, be sure to place it in a dry and ventilated place.

Kelp cannot be eaten after it becomes moldy. Although in some cases, moldy kelp will return to its original color after washing, it should be noted that moldy food often has mold inside and has become spoiled. Eating it too much can cause diarrhea at best, and can be harmful to the body at worst.

Generally speaking, when you buy dried kelp, there will be white powdery substances on the surface, which is the precipitation of salt. These are not moldy, so just wash them before eating. However, if the kelp starts to grow hair or has black or green spots, be aware that it is moldy and should not be eaten.

Since kelp contains a large amount of salt, which is easy to evaporate, it should be stored in a ventilated place to prevent it from getting moldy.