Ecklonia bicyclis
Ecklonia bicyclis, also known as arame or Eisenia bicyclis, is a species of brown algae found mainly in the Pacific Ocean in the coastal regions of southwestern Japan and Korea as well as of southeastern China. Growing beneath the surface of the water, of course, this species can sprout a stem up to one metre long, from which two frond-like leaf structures extend into the air. These leaf structures grow annually and are usually harvested and processed by hand from March through June. Ecklonia bicyclis is a well-known and popular ingredient in Japanese and South Korean cuisine.
Brown algae from the Ecklonia genus are rich in polyphenols, of which their phlorotannins are particularly noteworthy. Phlorotannins are natural polyphenols that are found in large amounts in brown algae. What is special about the bicyclis species is the structure and complexity of its phlorotannins. While they share the phlorotannins eckol, bieckol, dieckol and phlorofucofuroekol with other Ecklonia species, they also harbour another rare phlorotannin called phloroglucinol.
Spirulina platensis from DaWu Mountain
This Spirulina platensis is the only one in the world grown in the clean, fresh, mineral-rich mountain spring water of DaWu Mountain. The non-GMO algae is cultivated without the use of plant protection products or chemical fertilisers, and the warm, tropical climate and fresh air provide optimal growing conditions all year round. Instead of relying on artificial fertilisers or the addition of synthetic minerals, the fresh spring water from DaWu Mountain provides a rich supply of minerals and trace elements, which accumulate organically in the algae.
