Starwest Botanicals Organic Kelp Powder - Nutrient Rich, Natural Source of Iodine, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, & Calcium, Certified Kosher, Non-GMO - 16 oz BagUSDA Organic

I've been buying Starwest stuff for quite awhile and so had little hesitation in ordering this product. Again, they came through with a perfect product, packaged perfectly, and delivered in a timely mannerThis kelp is extremely fine consistency and has virtually no moisture in it if any. There are no clumps and the color is appropriate for dried kelp. There is a bit of an ocean smell to it, but it comes from the ocean, so what would you expect. To me, that says it's fresh. There is also an appropriate sweet smell to it and if used properly, will also add a bit of non-sugary sweetness to whatever you put it in.There are right ways and wrong ways to use powdered kelp, and if you aren't used to the product, then you should always seek to put it in something else. It makes a great dashi, fantastic smoothies, and mighty fine baked goods.For those people who complain because it sticks to the roof of your mouth, of course it does. It's powder and not meant to be eaten. Flour and corn starch do the same thing, so downgrading it on that basis is just plain silly.Powdered kelp is a grey-green or you might call it olive green. It is not bright grass green as some people apparently are confused.I will leave the bio-nutritional value to other websites and comments. But if you want kelp, this is a good product. Please just don't downgrade it because it looks, smells, and tastes like kelp.

Good product with nice price.

Feed this to my horses & is also for human consumption. No odor. Great oacjaging

Sea kelp, which is also referred to as bladder wrack and kelp, is a brown seaweed that grows along the ocean shores and can be eaten cooked or raw. Kelp is nutritionally dense and has a variety of health-promoting properties. However, adverse reactions have been reported from the consumption of kelp, and you should talk to your health-care practitioner before attempting to self-medicate with it.Kelp powder offers a convenient way to ensure a regular source of iodine, the trace element needed for healthy thyroid function. For those individuals wishing to avoid the salty, mouth-puckering taste of kelp, ingesting the encapsulated powder will prevent a taste bud revolt.A host of health benefits are offered by kelp, and it is used to treat a number of nutrition-related health issues. Kelp is rich in around 70 essential minerals, including iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and vitamin B-9. These minerals help greatly in building cell membranes, helping digestion and improving brain function.Alternative medicine practitioners recommend kelp to help "cleanse the blood" and increase energy, according to "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database." Kelp also has been used to help treat obesity, arthritis, rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, digestive disorders, heartburn, constipation, bronchitis, emphysema, urinary and genital disorders and anxiety. People also consume sea kelp to enhance disease resistance and help prevent herpes and other viral infections. However, these uses are based on anecdotal reports and not solid scientific evidence.Some sea kelp is contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Heavy-metal poisoning has been reported from the ingestion of contaminated sea kelp. Iodine has also been associated with an exacerbation of acne, and kelp may cause or worsen acne in acne-prone individuals. In addition, sea kelp may impair fertility. Do not take it if you are trying to conceive. Allergic reactions and increased bleeding after surgery have been reported from consuming sea kelp, according to "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database."WARNING It has a strong taste so careful with it as Kelp flavor is overpowering in larger doses. I use the Kelp to get the minerals, iodine, and trace minerals that are lacking in the western diet. I got this to use in smoothies, but find the taste overwhelming, not to mention the smell. In order to "sneak it in" you have to use a very tiny amount, 1/8 tsp. Otherwise it ruins the flavor for me.Bottom Line:Seems very fresh, the mylar packaging should ensure freshness. The price can't be beat. Kelp flavor is overpowering must use small amount will last a long time.

This tastes so horrible. I really wasn't prepared for how bad this was. This doesn't even taste like seaweed. It tastes like rotten fish. You know how about one out of every twenty beaches smells really, really bad? I'm sure that they harvested this seaweed from that beach. I know that there are a whole bunch of other people who are warning you about the horrific taste, but please don't make my mistake and get this for protein shakes. I have an iron stomach, and I can usually handle anything. But, I had three protein shakes that were about 1/3rd kelp powder, and I'm not able to ever eat any more kelp. I didn't actually throw this up, but I did have to lie down and do meditation after consuming it. It's a way different and more decomposing-tasting kelp than the other ones that I've tried.Okay, now that I've warned you about how bad it tastes, even if you're used to bad tasting things, this can be used for a ton of other stuff. You can feed it to dogs, you can use it for fertilizer, you can use it on your hair and on your skin, you can keep it around in case of accidental radiation poisoning, and you can use it for practical jokes. At all of these uses, I rate it a 5/5. Just, please don't get this full pound intending on eating it all, like I did.

Best

Due to the very high iodine content of this kelp variety I only take 1/32nd of a teaspoon a day. But the results are great. My teeth remain plaque free.I was required to use a CPAP and the plaque build up on my teeth began getting unmanageable. My dentist said she needed to plane my teeth below the gum line. I read and read on ways to eliminate plaque and came across scientific studies that said the special variety of kelp in this product would reduce and / or eliminate plaque. Man does it work. In 6 months I had really reduced the plaque build up. In a year I had zero plaque. My dental hygienist asked for the product because her father had the same issue I had and she just could not belive the difference. Honestly zero plaque build up. Plus removed all the build up I previously had. Can't recommend highly enough. Really improved my dental health. This works great for my dogs too. Freshens their breath and removes plaque over time.