What is the Difference Between Kelp and Seaweed?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between kelp and seaweed is that kelp is a specific type of brown seaweed, while seaweed is an umbrella term for a wide range of marine-based species of plants and algae. Here are the key differences between kelp and seaweed:
- Size: Seaweed ranges dramatically in size, while sea kelp is always quite large.
- Color: Seaweed can be various colors, shapes, and flavors, whereas kelp is predominantly brown.
- Nutritional Value: Kelp is a particularly rich source of iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid health, and contains many health-promoting phytochemicals.
- Habitat: Kelp typically grows in cool and nutrient-rich waters, while seaweed can be found in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
- Taxonomy: Seaweed encompasses over 10,000 species of marine algae, while kelp is a specific subgroup of seaweed.
Both kelp and seaweed are highly nutritious marine plants that absorb nutrients from the water. They are consumed as sea vegetables and are popular in various cuisines and health products due to their high vitamin and mineral content.
Comparative Table: Kelp vs Seaweed
Here is a table comparing the main differences between kelp and seaweed:
| Feature | Kelp | Seaweed |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Kelp is a type of large algae that belongs to the largest subgroup of seaweed and is mainly found in saltwater environments. | Seaweed is a general term for marine macroalgae, encompassing more than 10,000 species of aquatic organisms that are mainly photosynthetic, and lack stems, roots, and other common plant characteristics. |
| Size | Kelp is consistently larger compared to most seaweed species. | Seaweed species can vary dramatically in size. |
| Color | Kelp is a type of brown seaweed, even though it can vary in color. | Seaweed can be classified into three groups: red, brown, and green, with the color determined by the amount of chlorophyll it contains, which affects how much light it absorbs via photosynthesis. |
| Habitat | Kelp is most often found along rocky coastlines and only in saltwater environments. | Seaweed can grow in any marine environment, including oceans, rivers, lochs, and lakes. |
| Health Benefits | Both kelp and seaweed are extremely beneficial to our health due to their high volume of vitamins and minerals. | Both kelp and seaweed are extremely beneficial to our health due to their high volume of vitamins and minerals. |
It is important to note that seaweed is a broader term that encompasses a wide variety of marine algae species, while kelp is a specific type of seaweed that is consistently larger and mainly found in saltwater environments.
- Seaweed vs Algae
- Seaweed vs Seagrass
- Algae vs Plants
- Moss vs Algae
- Fungi vs Algae
- Red vs Green Algae
- Blue Green Algae vs Green Algae
- Red Algae vs Brown Algae
- Krill vs Plankton
- Rock Salt vs Sea Salt
- Seabed vs Land
- Macroalgae vs Microalgae
- Chlorella vs Spirulina
- Table Salt vs Sea Salt
- Ocean vs Sea
- Kosher Salt vs Sea Salt
- Himalayan Salt vs Sea Salt
- Cuttlefish vs Squid
- Kefir vs Kombucha