Kelp is a nutritional powerhouse, and now thanks to the woman-owned Snacks from the Sea, consumers can snack healthy with crispy Kelpie Chips.

The chips provide all the health benefits found in sustainably harvested kelp, lightly fried with natural seasonings. Rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant activity, Kelpie Chips are perfect with a favorite dip, crumbled for a salad or soup topper, or carried in a backpack for clean energy on the trail. Varieties include Zesty Pizza, Chipotle, and Salt & Pepper, and the product will be exhibited at Natural Products Expo West in March.

Snacks from the Sea Founder Jennifer Murphy grew up in Korea, where kelp is eaten for its numerous health benefits or on special holidays when kelp would be dried, cleaned, fried, and dusted with sugar. As a busy mom and executive, Murphy found herself feeling burnt out and her mother made her kelp chips as a remedy. She launched Snacks from the Sea, a line of nutritious kelp-based products, to carry on the family tradition and offer people an energizing snack that would enhance their lives and help them feel their best, naturally.

“Kelp is one of the most nutritious foods for people and the planet,” said Murphy. “Right now, people are looking for snacks that are made with whole foods that are rich in nutrition and don’t sacrifice flavor. Kelp has a crunchy texture and a hint of umami that delights the palate.”

With the goal of bringing the nourishment of kelp, packaged in a convenient, snack-worthy form, to the masses, Murphy began a long R&D process to make the best, minimally processed kelp chips available.  Kelpie Chips are made with real natural kelp leaves that are dusted with seasoning, not reconstituted or made from powder, and they don’t contain fillers like starch.

“I wanted to create a way to bring people the nourishing qualities of kelp without having to spend hours in the kitchen,” said Murphy. “Kelpie Chips are a crunchy, tasty way to eat this nourishing snack from the sea.”

There’s a reason why kelp has been passed down through generations of Murphy’s family. Kelp is a nutrient-rich food that contains healthy vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and K1, folate, magnesium, iron, and iodine. Kelp also contains a powerful antioxidant, fucoidan, which has a variety of health benefits. Not only is kelp healthy for humans, it is also beneficial for the environment. Kelp can be grown using non-arable land and non-potable water, and the plant helps with carbon sequestration. Some experts go as far as to call seaweeds foods of the future.

Kelpie Chips can be eaten on their own or paired with a variety of dips, including salsa, hummus, and tzatziki and can be purchased on Amazon.