Could algae oil be the next kitchen staple?

US – Described as having a ‘subtle, buttery essence’ but neutral flavour, Algae Cooking Club’s versatile new algae oil can be used for frying, baking and emulsifying or as an ingredient in dressings and sauces.

Working with a manufacturer in Brazil, the algae is fermented with sugar for three days before being ‘squeezed’ to produce an oil. This creates a product with a higher smoke point than olive or avocado oil, making it ideal for frying at high temperatures; it also has a high composition of healthy omega-9 fats (93%) while also containing 75% less saturated fats than olive or avocado oil.

Algae Cooking Club describes the oil as ‘earth’s purest cooking oil’ because it is produced without chemicals, solvents, pesticides or blending of oils. It requires less time, water and land for production, reducing its carbon emissions to almost half of those of canola or avocado oils. The 16oz bottle is available for sale online for £19.81 ($25, €23.20) and is expected to reach high-end grocery stores in the US later in February 2024.

Although algae may not be a familiar ingredient in most households, adopting unfamiliar yet eco-friendly food innovations is essential in combatting supply chain fragility amid the climate crisis, a topic we unpacked in our Adaptative Appetites report.