# Plant-Based Kelp Burgers The Kelp Burger by Akua is Produced Without Land and Fresh Water By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-11-30 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelp-burger References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90578751/this-burger-doesnt-require-land-or-fresh-water-to-produce-its-made-of-kelp) & [akua.co](https://akua.co/products/kelp-burger) In a sea of plant-based burger patties, The Kelp Burger by Akua stands out as a plant-based, non-GMO, soy-free and gluten-free burger. True to its name, the burger is made with kelp as the first ingredient, followed by other key ingredients like crimini mushrooms, pea protein, black beans and chickpea flower, plus potato and pea starch to name a few. According to Akua, the burger created from whole foods "bites like a meat burger but tastes vegetarian." Many people are making the switch to plant-based burger patties for the sake of the environment and this plant-based option boasts a low carbon footprint. As Akua co-founder and CEO Courtney Boyd Myers says, "If you think about food systems with kelp, it doesn’t require dry land or freshwater or fertilizer or feed to grow, so it’s what is called a zero-input food." Image Credit: Akua ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Kelp-based Foods:** Kelp burgers and other kelp-based foods are disrupting the plant-based food industry with their low carbon footprint and unique taste. - **Sustainable Ingredients:** The shift to sustainable ingredients in plant-based foods is disrupting traditional agriculture and opening up new opportunities for innovation and growth. - **Whole Foods Plant-based Diets:** The rise of whole foods plant-based diets is disrupting the food industry, as more consumers seek out healthy, sustainable and ethical food options. ### Who This Affects Most - **Plant-based Foods Industry:** The plant-based foods industry stands to benefit from the rise of kelp-based foods and sustainable ingredients, as more consumers demand healthy, ethical and sustainable food options. - **Sustainable Agriculture Industry:** The shift to sustainable ingredients in plant-based foods is disrupting traditional agriculture, and presents new opportunities for innovation in sustainable agriculture and farming. - **Health and Wellness Industry:** The rise of whole foods plant-based diets is disrupting the food industry, and presents new opportunities for growth in the health and wellness industry, as more consumers seek out healthy and sustainable food options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kid-Friendly Kelp Patties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelp-patties.md) - [Alt Seafood Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salmonish-burger.md) - [Sea-Sourced Vegan Crab Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-crab-cake.md) - [Kelp-Based Meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelp-meatballs.md) - [Crispy Vegan Fish Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-fish-burger.md) - [Plant-Based Salmon Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-salmon-burgers.md) - [Umami Vegan Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-based-salmon-burger.md) - [Plant-Based Crab Cake Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crab-cake-sandwich.md) - [Protein-Rich Seaweed Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelpeat-snack.md)