Umamo is an alga that does not photosynthesize but grows by absorbing the organic matter around it.
In nature it lives in places such as the underside of mangrove leaves,
growing by taking in the nutrients contained in fallen leaves.
In the process it produces, in abundance, nutrients the ocean needs, DHA among them.
Then, using awamori lees that had until now been discarded, we fermented the algae with our own technology,
and succeeded in creating Umamo, an edible alga containing far more DHA than oily fish, and a high level of umami.
AlgaleX has patented that technology.
01 The Umamo seed
Umamo is an alga that does not photosynthesize but grows by absorbing the organic matter around it. In nature it lives in places such as the underside of mangrove leaves, growing by taking in the nutrients contained in fallen leaves. In the process it produces, in abundance, nutrients the ocean needs, DHA among them.
02 Awamori lees
Awamori lees are a by-product of the awamori distillation process. They are extremely rich in nutrients such as GABA and citric acid, and while some are used in the health drink moromi vinegar, most of them are discarded. These awamori lees supply the amino acids and other nutrients Umamo needs to grow.
03 Fermentation with Umamo × awamori lees
Umamo grows inside a special fermentation tank, absorbing the nutrients in the awamori lees. It is much like farming: creating the optimal environment for the algae is the secret to both flavor and growth. We have succeeded in automating the creation of that optimal environment with AI. We have stabilized volume, quality and flavor.
04 Becoming Umamo
Finally, drying the finished algae gives the loose, dry Umamo you have at hand. We check every batch for quality and taste, and offer as Umamo only what is good to eat and rich in DHA.
Using awamori lees that had until now been discarded, AlgaleX
fermented the algae with its own technology and succeeded in creating Umamo, an edible alga
containing far more DHA than oily fish, and a high level of umami.
It has patented that technology.
