marsh samphire
Quick Summary
Marsh samphire, also known as glasswort, is a succulent, salt-tolerant plant that thrives in coastal marshes and on beaches. It belongs to the Salicornia genus within the Amaranthaceae family. This plant is characterized by its jointed green stems and scalelike leaves.12
Historically, marsh samphire was crucial for glassmaking due to its high sodium carbonate content. Its ash was used with sand to create glass until the early 19th century. Today, the tender tips of marsh samphire are consumed for their salty flavor and crunchy texture, often in salads or fish dishes, and it is also pickled. It is a good source of minerals like sodium, calcium, potassium, and iodine, as well as vitamin C and amino acids.13
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