Thick, wide strips of Kombu are commonly used to flavour Japanese soups, noodle broths and stocks (dashi). Kombu contains natural glutamic acid - an umami-providing amino acid - that draws out the taste of other foods. A strip of Kombu cooked with beans helps to soften them and improve digestibility. Due to the nature of this product, this pack may contain a trace amount of fish, molluscs and/or crustaceans. High in Iodine. Kombu naturally contains high levels of iodine. People sensitive to the effects of iodine are advised to seek medical advice before consuming this product.