Kelp

Kelp was often used for food in Vestmannaeyjar in earlier days. Indeed, this was widely done in other places in Iceland. The best kelp is considered to be that which has also been fed with fresh water as it is less salty. There is one such source of kelp in Vestmannaeyjar, on the north side of Stórhöfði.

At this site, fresh water drips from condensation on the cliffs over the bay, and thus dilutes the salt water surrounding the kelp growing below. In earlier days when the islanders divided the harvesting of the natural resources that were to be found on the island, the "upper islanders" (those who lived above the lava fields) collected kelp in the August of each year. A boat was used to get to the bay and onto the beach there.

The kelp was then collected in burlap bags while the tide was low, everyone returning home when the tide came in. Kelp is still considered a very tasty and healthy snack, being very rich in iron. Today, however, harvesting kelp is no longer limited to a few farmers. Anyone in town can go out to the bay and enjoy a sunny summer afternoon collecting this rich "health food".