South Korean food and biotech company, Phyto Corporation is planning on commercially farming Salicornia europaea as a future food source that can be mass-cultivated using seawater agriculture, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly farm method that uses no fresh water, fertilisers or pesticides.Phyto Corporation have developed a plant based salt, extracted from Salicornia europaea, and containing no microplastics; flour, which looks very green (yum!), meal, teas and supplements. Phyto Corporation have already won a pile of awards in Asia and I can't wait to try it as it seems a way more natural product than the somewhat misleadingly named, processed plant based burgers hitting the USA markets. Salicornia europaea is known as Sea Asparagus or Sea Beans in places like Hawaii, where locals have been harvesting it and adding it to salads and fish dishes forever. It's a native to North America, South Africa, South Asia and Europe and grows among mangroves or on beaches. There are about 185 different species of Saliconia. In Australia, bush tucker Sarcocornia quinqueflora, commonly called Salicornia australis, Bearded or Beaded Glasswort or Chicken grows wild particularly in South Australia. Often called Samphire, Milkwood say it is used raw in salad, though it tends to be very salty so it is more often balanced or steamed for a few minutes. It can also be sautéed with macadamia or olive oil, garlic and onion. To reduce saltiness, blanch for 30 – 45 seconds or soak for 1-2 hours, before plunging in ice water.