Salicornia (Sea Bean): What Is It?

What is salicornia?

Some call it asparagus of the sea while others refer to it as sea bean or samphire. The truth is salicornia goes by many names but this sea vegetable can be cooked just like any other - boiled, steamed, sautéed with garlic and olive oil, or even as a filling for seafood thanks to its natural salty flavour.

How do you recognise salicornia?

How can I recognise salicornia? It's easy. The nickname 'asparagus of the sea' gives you a hint as to what it looks like. Salicornia is a succulent that grows in small bushes by the sea or marshes. Its bright green branches look like a miniature version of asparagus. They are crunchy, salty and delicious.

What are the nutritional benefits of salicornia?

Salicornia's health benefits are very varied: the sea vegetable is rich in minerals and is loaded with vitamins A, B1, B15, C, and D. It is a plant known to strengthen the immune system, very popular among sailors who carried it with them to fight diseases during long voyages. Salicornia is also renowned for its diuretic qualities and for its purifying effects.

Salicornia shoots should be harvested between June and August – at other times the shoots will become woody. You should leave a month between cutting and harvesting to allow for regrowth. Pinch or snip off the tips of the stems, leaving the tougher lower stalks intact. Salicornia often grows in muddy areas so wash thoroughly before using in the kitchen.

Recipes with salicornia

What does salicornia taste like?

Salicornia's fleshy stems are bitter yet savoury. Just the thing to accompany seafood dishes, fish and soups. In general, the sea asparagus excels in fresh summer recipes, raw in salads, steamed or lightly pan-fried, as a light side dish to meat dishes. 

How do you eat salicornia?

Lovers of salicornia should think about preserving the vegetable in vinegar or oil to ensure a steady supply year-round. Pickled salicornia is a great accompaniment to a charcuterie plate, cheeses and sausages.

It is even a great match for eggs, egg-based pastas and even risotto. Just take a cue from acclaimed French chef Inaki Aizpitarte who developed a creamy green risotto flavoured with salicornia.

You can find the recipe here

Created by chef Andrea Bertarini, this elegant dish uses salicornia, or samphire, to add another layer of flavour to seawater ravioli made with mussels, cuttlefish ink and served with Sicilian prawns.

Salicornia is also used as a garnish in this gourmet seafood and chicken 'surf and turf' recipe created by South Africa chef Peter John Vadas: langoustine, chicken and white asparagus with chanterelle and a langoustine velouté.

Raw salicornia is a great way to enrich sandwiches or canapés so it's definitely worth a try.

The golden rule when cooking salicornia? Don't use an abundant amount of salt or you'll risk your dish being too salty. Taste as you go.

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