When eaten fresh, has a clean seafood umami flavor, rich, almost ahi-like. Crisp but substantial texture.

While aquarists bestowed the common name upon this species for its flame-like underwater appearance, Hawaii-endemic Halymenia hawaiiana was originally known as “Lepe-o-Hina” (the shawl of the goddess Hina). This species’ robust texture and rich umami flavor made it a traditionally favored food limu here on Hawai’i Island, and we are excited to share it with the world.

Dragon’s Breath is incredibly versatile; it can be dried, smoked, roasted, fried, pickled, fermented, or used fresh as a salad vegetable. In pre-contact Hawaii it was traditionally chopped, salted, and used in stews. Rich in iron and high in protein, it is excellent in poke and ocean salads.

While it can be a challenge to forage in the wild these days, Kona Limu Company’s Halymenia is responsibly cultured year-round at our Keahole Point farm. Here, using nutrient-rich deep seawater pumped from 3,000 feet below the surfline, we can sustainably produce as much Lepe-o-Hina as Hawaii and the world need.

With a protein content rivaling some legumes, and rich in Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and Antioxidants, Halymenia is a nutritional powerhouse.