How is nori made?
Most of the nori in Japan is grown in the Sendai region on the north coast. Here there are beautifully unspoiled pine covered islands known as Matsushima. Around there islands there are many sheltered shallows of pure cold water, the ideal conditions for growing seaweed. Traditionally seaweed was gathered from the wild. These days seaweed if farmed due to great demand. The method of seaweed farming is fantastic. Instead of using modern technology the farmer uses his knowledge of the tides. Two large bamboo poles are fastened deep into the sea bed to stretch and support nets made of woven rope. In the cold winter season the seaweed grows until it has covered the entire net. The farmer positions the net so that it remains above the surface of the water during low tide. During low tide the seaweed absorbs the sunlight for photosynthesis, giving the seaweed the energy it needs for growth. When the tide comes in the seaweed is then washed below the seas surface where it replenishes the wate
