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Duckweed is an amazing plant and one of it's more surprising characteristics is that it is up to 43% protein ad also contains fat, starch and minerals. Soya is only 34.7% and some other protein substitutes are as little as 25 % (peanuts).
Protein deficiency is a great problem in many under-privileged
areas of the world, and scientitsts working in this area (such as those working for the UNICEF programme for protein-rich foods) are trying to alleviate malnutrition using soya, cotton seed, peanut and even fish flour.
Duckweed has long been recognised as a great protein-rich animal feed. So why not for humans??
Duckweed also has another advantage over pulses and seeds in that it can be grown all year round and is incredibly prolific (it is one of the most rapidly replicating plants known to science and can double its mass in as little as 16 hours!!). All it needs is relatively still water, nutrients and sunlight. It can tolerate extreme temperatures and even live in brackish water. It can be amost entirely digested in comparison with some other protein sources which contain up to 50% undigestable fibre. And fibre is not what is lacking in low protein diets.
Also, it doesn't even taste that bad raw!!
Yes I have tried it.
Tastes Like Chicken
http://www.halfbake...es_20Like_20Chicken
Oh dear, and there I was thinking I was being contemporary. [PeterSilly, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]
Kudzu
http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/
[krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]
Bubble and squeak
http://www.diningeurope.com/cookark09.htm
Ok, OK, off topic and a recipe to boot, but it realy does taste nice. [8th of 7, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]
[link]
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You know, I bet this tastes just like frogs' legs. |
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//it can be grown all year round and is incredibly prolific//
Can you say "kudzu"? Danger, Will Robinson! |
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Isn't the fact that it requires still water going to be the major problem? Compare the amount of the earth's surface covered by land to that of still fresh water suitable for duckweed. Or could you grow it like rice in flooded fields? |
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I don't think I want to eat dickweed, thanks. |
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Yep,[kropotkin] I imagine it could be grown very well in paddy field type units or in artificial containers. It could even be farmed inside with correct lighting. |
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[krelnik]. No I'D never heard of this stuff. But whil I found loads of stuff on how this trifid vine can be made edible, I couldn't find any info on its nutritional content.? |
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I'm not suggesting kudzu as an alternative. I'm worried that your plan to introduce this other plant into hungry regions as a foodstuff will cause the same problems that the introduction of kudzu into the US has caused. The plant is such a fast grower it seems to be taking over the southern part of the country. See link. |
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Yep, it can be a bugger to shift (ask anyone with a pond), but CAN be removed by simply scooping it off the surface of the water and composting it. As I understand it though, Kudzo was introduced as a garden plant where it could self seed and spread as it wanted. Duckweed only spreads by dividing from a mother plant and does not spread to bodies of water unless brought in by humans or birds. If it was cultured in enclosed units it could be controlled better than a vine. The problem of plants spreading and reducing biodiversity is always going to be a problem with any hardy crop, but crops are, nevertheless, needed. |
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In certain localities, "Bubble and Squeak" is a well-appreciated foodstuff ..... I'm going to get my frying pan. |
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And before you ask, the Soylent Corporation would like to reassure you that no HalfBakers have been harmed in the preparation of this dish. Yet. |
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So *that's* what happened to [bubble]. |
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Since I have to keep my intake of soy products to a minimum, if this stuff tastes edible I'm all for it. |
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curious eye towards 8th and his link, do all Borg enjoy Brussel sprouts? |
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it tastes kind of lettucey, leafy, greensy. |
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And if the cannabilistic leanings of [snarfguy] and [8th of 7] are to be believed, then you could always fatten me up on duckweed first. |
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MMM!! Duckweed-fed Squeak steak. |
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Also [8th of 7], bubble and squeak is delicious but the link recipe seems overly complicated. In my house it runs, |
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Take all left overs of Sunday dinner (including mash and cabbage) . Smash it all up in bowl, Fry until smells edible. |
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And do remember the eternal rule: You CAN eat anything if you have enough ketchup. |
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// do all Borg enjoy Brussel sprouts? // |
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Initial attempts at assimilation have had unexpected and unfortunate side effects. |
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[squeak] the only omission in your recipe is the fact that a lot of has to be scorched brown - those bits are too yummy for words. |
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I was about to write this on my shopping list - but to my dismay it turns out to be some pond weed!?? |
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I can attest that duckweed grows exceptionally rapidly under the right lighting indoors, in containers, and in various other places. I have no doubt that it could be grown in rice paddies. |
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I would also point out that duckweed makes a wonderful addition to most fish farms and sewage treatment ponds. |
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Naturally, the duckweed from sewage treatment ponds would probably not be suitable for human consumption. |
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You may need to discuss ways to deal with the issue of red ramshorn snails though. Sometimes also known as wheel snails, these creatures can thrive quite nicely off of duckweed or other floating plants. Unfortunately, they also can harbor parasites which are transmissable to various vertebrates, including fish and humans. |
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Anywhere duckweed can thrive, they can thrive, and they lay their eggs on plants. Eradicating both duckweed and various pond snails is a serious concern among most aquarium owners, and the birds are good at spreading these from ponds to ponds throughout most of the US. |
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Current natural means of reducing ramshorn snails involves the introduction of apple snails (also considered a good source of protein for developing countries...) which indiscriminately eat both the snails and the plants they live in. |
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It might work well on top of an aquarium full of freshwater seaweed, like Ulva and Enteromorpha. |
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you had me at duckweed [+] |
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"What's the matter?"
"Duckweed in my pond."
"S'nothing...giant hogweed in mine." |
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