Refined Redweed
Refined Redweed is a food product and cooking ingredient originating from the Glendatis peoples which has become widespread and a staple in much of the Island. It is incredibly sought after, akin to minerals such as salt, tin, and iron.
It is made from red algae (often called redweed once it is processed), ground and sieved into a fine powder which becomes sticky and gelatinous when wet. It is used as a substitute for animal gelatin, which is much rarer and almost impossible to harvest ethically. It has also been selectively bred by Brine and Citron magicians to be nutrient dense and have faster growth rates.
When mixed with boiling water, it becomes a gelatinous texture. This is used to make gelatin dishes, which are a big staple for many communities due to how much can be foraged if you live in the right place. Unlike with animal gelatin, refined redweed can be made on an industrial/aquaculture level. Most Jellow King recipes can be (somewhat) recreated with refined redweed.
It is the primary product of the Red Hand Refinery company.
Manufacturing process
The algae is harvested, before being washed, treatment with an alkali mineral (Brine). It is then boiled to extract the liquid from the plant, and then dehydrated. As the final step, the dehydrated substance resulting is milled and ground.
History
Refined redweed has been a traditional food item among the Glendatis, and it is thought that strange conditions in the water cause its gelatinous properties to be extracted.
Redweed can only grow in saltwater, though it is farmed in brackish pools as it grows in popularity. It is processed and refined by hand, so refining redweed requires a lot of steps and manual labour. While originally it was much rarer due to the Glendatis' gatekeeping their process, as time has gone on there have been an increase in market substitutes.
The "original" refined redweed, made by Red Hand Refinery, set a standard, and their products are highly sought after. Initially Red Hand refined redweed was very expensive, often charging in the pounds of gold. However, improvements to their process with the help of automation and large-scale aquaculture would make it much more accessible over time.
Somewhat Common
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