The Origin of Seaweed: A Marine Plant That Shaped Civilization

Seaweed is one of the oldest living organisms on Earth, existing for millions of years. Scientifically, seaweed belongs to marine algae that grow in saltwater environments, especially in coastal areas with sufficient sunlight.

Historical records show that seaweed has been used by humans for thousands of years. In ancient China and Japan, seaweed was consumed as food and used in traditional medicine. Meanwhile, coastal communities in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, have long relied on seaweed as both a food source and a livelihood.

Over time, seaweed has evolved from a traditional food into a valuable industrial raw material used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and modern food products. Natural compounds such as agar, carrageenan, and alginate make seaweed highly valuable in global markets.

Today, Indonesia stands as one of the world’s leading seaweed producers, supplying high-quality seaweed to international industries.