Greetings from the heart of Europe!
We’re the Bennises, a bicultural—Czech and American—family living in the Czech Republic just outside Prague. We’re a family of five with a passion for seaweed. Our journey began on the Wild Atlantic Way, along the coast of Sligo, Ireland. Imagine a typical Irish day – cold, rainy, and wrapped in mist. It was on such a day that we embarked on a unique ‘seaweed experience’ (a seaweed tour along the coast). Despite the weather, our spirits were lifted by an incredible guide who ignited our fascination for this diverse variety of marine algae (some plants, some not, all known varieties edible if you know what you’re doing). The highlight? Chocolate pancakes infused with seaweed, followed by a tasting of fresh varieties picked right from the rocks! It wasn’t just a culinary delight, but an awakening to the myriad possibilities of seaweed.
Why seaweed? Beyond its taste, we discovered its health benefits, its role in sustainable food production, and its potential in developing eco-friendly alternatives to pollutants such as plastics and oil. Many Czechs are passionate about health, the environment, travel, and the sea, but as a land-locked country without a seaweed tradition, we thought there was a story to be told that would interest other Czechs. As we learned more, we realized the potential impact might be much wider and decided to dig in, first with this website which will eventually be in both English and Czech.
As we continue our seaweed adventures, we dream big. A seaweed-focused store and restaurant in the heart of Prague, an informative YouTube channel, seaweed–focused eco-tourism, and more seaweed-infused adventures await—we hope. In the meantime, we hope these pages help you learn more about seaweed and inspire your passion about these amazing organisms that are anything but weeds.
Warmly,
The Bennis Family – Daniel, Adam, Hana, and their parents