Celebrating National Laverbread Day In Anglesey

National Laverbread Day is celebrated every year on the 14th of April in Anglesey and throughout Wales. It’s become an important event and a great opportunity to learn about the traditional dish and its history.

Laverbread originates from seaweed found around the coast of Wales and the UK. It is mainly harvested in West Wales and has been enjoyed by generations of locals over the centuries. On this day, people come together to celebrate this unique culinary tradition and enjoy some delicious laverbread dishes!

This article will explore what National Laverbread Day is, and how you can celebrate it in Anglesey. 

When Is National Laverbread Day?

National Laverbread Day is celebrated on April 14th. 

The special day dedicated to the traditional Welsh seaweed delicacy shares its day with the Japanese “Mother of the Sea Day” which honours Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker, whose research into the cultivation of Porphyra seaweed led to a commercial breakthrough for the Japanese Nori (laver) industry.

What Is Laverbread?

Laverbread is made from seaweed, specifically, a type of edible seaweed called laver (littoral alga). The seaweed is washed thoroughly and then boiled for several hours until it becomes soft and pulpy. It is often mixed with oatmeal and fried into a type of patty, although it can be eaten alone, mixed into other dishes like soups or stews, or as a spread on toast.

Despite its name, laverbread is not a type of bread but rather a paste, and it has a strong, slightly salty taste that is often described as “umami.” Umami means “essence of deliciousness” in Japanese.

History of National Laverbread Day

The first-ever Laverbread Day took place on the 14th of April 2022. The day was registered by the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company, Beach Food, as they wanted people to have fun discovering this healthy and delicious but often overlooked ingredient.

How To Celebrate National Laverbread Day

Here are some things you can do to celebrate National Laverbread Day in Anglesey.

Buy some Laverbread

Laverbread isn’t widely available, you probably won’t spot it in the local Spar, but there are several places to get it, including online stores, speciality food shops, and local markets. 

If you’re looking for the best quality Laverbread, then it’s likely that you’ll want to shop at an independent retailer or purchase it directly from a producer based in Wales.

Where to buy Laverbread in Anglesey?

In Anglesey, you can buy Laverbread from Halen Môn in Brynsiencyn (not far from Llanfairpwllgwyngyll) or if you fancy a bit of a drive you can also buy from Blas Ar Fwyd in Llanrwst (close to Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia).

Try a traditional Welsh breakfast

A traditional Welsh breakfast typically includes bacon, egg, Welsh cheddar and a laverbread patty or Laverbread mixed with oats fried in bacon fat and served with eggs, crispy bacon and fried cockles.

Make some new dishes with Laverbread

Laverbread is a versatile ingredient and this superfood can be used in a range of everyday dishes and recipes such as laverbread Patties, laverbread pesto pasta, cheesy laverbread scones and laverbread on toast.

Go on a seaweed foraging tour

Make your laverbread experience even more authentic by joining a seaweed foraging tour. 

Discover the Wild, a company in Anglesey runs seaweed and coastal foraging events around the Isle of Ynys Môn where you get your hands on some edible seaweeds found growing around the island. 

Another company, Original Outdoors, operates coastal foraging walks in Borth y Gest (near Porthmadog), about an hour away from Anglesey.  

Have a picnic

Pack a picnic basket with some laverbread sandwiches, laverbread crackers, cockles and cookies, Welsh cheeses, and local drinks, and head out to the beach to enjoy the stunning views while enjoying a delicious and nutritious meal.  How about walking around Llyn Maelog or another of the beautiful Anglesey walks and then tucking into your picnic?  Your pack-up would be suitable to take on one of the many other things to see and do in Rhosneigr.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Are There Any Laverbread-Related Events Taking Place In Anglesey?

We haven’t discovered any eateries serving Laverbread or any events taking place in Anglesey, but if you want to go to an event you can head down to The Old Point House, Angle in Pembrokeshire – where National Laverbread Day was launched back in 2022 for a fun-filled day of laver themed activities. 

Are There Any Nutritional Benefits To Laverbread?

Yes, laverbread has many nutritional benefits. Laverbread is packed with protein, iron, iodine, potassium, manganese and calcium making it a nutritious addition to any diet. It is also a powerhouse of vitamins and has particularly high concentrations of Vitamin A, B2, B9, B12 and C. It’s also high in dietary fibre which helps maintain digestive health.