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Playing With Food

Playing With Algae

By Fr. Ian Delinger
Published July 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM PDT
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Growing spirulina in a pond
1 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 01.jpg
Growing spirulina in a pond
Fr. Ian Delinger
The pond is looped so the water and spirulina can flow down on side and back the other side to keep in flowing.
2 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 02.jpg
The pond is looped so the water and spirulina can flow down on side and back the other side to keep in flowing.
Fr. Ian Delinger
The large spirulina pool is 90,000 liters.
3 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 03.jpg
The large spirulina pool is 90,000 liters.
Fr. Ian Delinger
After it is harvested and pressed, this is what the spirulina looks line.
4 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 04.jpg
After it is harvested and pressed, this is what the spirulina looks line.
Fr. Ian Delinger
The complex equipment to harvest, filter and press the spirulina.
5 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 05.jpg
The complex equipment to harvest, filter and press the spirulina.
Fr. Ian Delinger
Making guacamole with spirulina added
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Making guacamole with spirulina added
Fr. Ian Delinger
The spirulina makes the guacamole even greener.
7 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 07.jpg
The spirulina makes the guacamole even greener.
Fr. Ian Delinger
The spirulina did not change the taste of the guacamole appreciably.
8 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 08.jpg
The spirulina did not change the taste of the guacamole appreciably.
Fr. Ian Delinger
Spirulina making the apricots healthier
9 of 9  — PWF - Spirulina 09.jpg
Spirulina making the apricots healthier
Fr. Ian Delinger

Spirulina has been a food source for millennia. It’s been a popular supplement in the US for decades. And it's being produced right here on the Central Coast.

Playing With Food
Fr. Ian Delinger
Fr. Ian Delinger hosts "Playing with Food," a monthly segment on "Issues and Ideas" that explores unique ways of looking at and preparing everyday foods on the California Central Coast.
See stories by Fr. Ian Delinger
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