Chondrus Crispus, often known as Irish Sea moss, is a red alga found along the Atlantic coasts of the Caribbean Islands, North America, and Europe. Sea moss has grown in popularity due to Dr. Sebi’s teachings on its medicinal capabilities. Sea moss, also known as Irish sea moss, Irish moss, or Irish seaweed, is a form of red algae found in the ocean that belongs to the Chondrus crispus species. The shores of Ireland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland are home to this moss.
When sea moss is extracted from the sea, it is often utilized in beer brewing, jelly making, and ice cream manufacturing. It has a deep purple or brown color in nature, but it turns yellow or green when air-dried. You can buy purple, green, or gold sea moss with bonuses. Sea moss is said to have 92 of the 102 minerals that the human body requires to function correctly. It contains potassium iodide and potassium bromide, zinc, natural silica, and selenium and is high in calcium and iodine.
What is Sea Moss?
Sea moss (Chondrus crispus) is a dark red plant that grows on the Atlantic Ocean’s coastlines. A carbohydrate called carrageenan is one of its critical structural components, making up the plant’s cell walls. This cellulose carbohydrate is removed by boiling the plant, which causes it to absorb water and create a jelly. Desserts, yogurts, sauces, salad dressings, pates, and vegetarian hot dogs, to name a few, all use this jelly as a thickening and emulsifying agent.
It’s very beneficial in thickening dairy products since it interacts well with proteins, common in ice cream, cream cheese, and yogurt. It’s frequently used in chocolate milk to prevent cocoa particles from separating from the milk and dropping to the bottom of the container. Sea moss is one type of seaweed that includes carrageenan, which can be extracted and used as a food additive.
The plant is cleaned and washed to extract carrageenan from sea moss to remove sand, and other debris, then boiled in a potassium hydroxide solution, an alkali that aids in the gel’s strength. The cooked seaweed is ground finely after another round of washing and drying and then treated with either alcohol or potassium chloride, which dissolves the carrageenan and extracts it. It also has its color removed. After drying, the concentrated gel is crushed into a powder and packed. Sea moss can be processed in various methods to yield several types of carrageenan, including soft and malleable varieties, hard and brittle varieties, and thickeners that don’t jell.
How to Use Sea Moss?
Sea moss is most commonly used in the kitchen as carrageenan powder, primarily thickened liquids. For example, you may use carrageenan powder instead of gelatin powder in a cheesecake. If that’s the case, combine the carrageenan powder with the sugar, salt, and other dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. After that, you’ll mix the dry components with the liquid ones, such as egg yolks, milk, and cream cheese, until smooth, then pour the mixture into the pie shell and bake it.
In some circumstances, you may need to dissolve the carrageenan powder first and then heat it to make a gel before adding it to your recipe. Cooking dried sea moss can also result in a gel, albeit it will likely retain its seaweed flavor and color and a coating of salt from the ocean.
How to Prepare Sea Moss?
Cleaning the sea moss and removing any sea debris, dirt, or particles. Always keep your hands clean when handling sea moss to avoid contaminating it, and use filtered spring or alkaline water. Never clean your sea moss with tap water. To ensure that your sea moss is thoroughly cleansed, I recommend cleaning it twice. Put your dried sea moss in a large bowl, fill it with water, and massage it. Make sure there is no visible dirt or trash.
After cleaning it, place the sea moss in a large basin and cover it with filtered, alkaline, or spring water. Make sure the sea moss is wholly covered. After that, cover the sea moss and soak it for at least 12 to 24 hours. You may keep it covered on the counter at room temperature. The sea moss does not need to be chilled before use, and it will have expanded after soaking since it has absorbed the water. It’s now up and running. You can either keep the sea moss and utilize it as needed or make a sea moss gel (highly recommended).
Ingredients
- 1 oz Dried Raw Irish Sea Moss (about 29 grams when weighed)
- 1-2 cups Alkaline or Spring Water, plus more for cleaning and soaking the sea moss
Instructions
- Place the dried sea moss in a large bowl, cover it with water, and massage it. Make sure there is no visible dirt or trash. Drain the water and repeat the process.
- Fill a big basin halfway with filtered or spring water and add the sea moss. (Do not use tap water) Make sure the sea moss is well coated. Allow 12-24 hours for the sea moss to soak. (at a comfortable temperature)
- Combine the sea moss and water in a high-powered blender. Begin with 1 cup of water and add more as needed (no more than 2 cups total)
- Blend for 1-3 minutes, or until smooth. Refrigerate the Sea Moss in an airtight container or a Mason jar. After 2 hours in the fridge, the sea moss gel will thicken.
- Fill an airtight mason jar halfway with Sea Moss. Refrigerate for up to 1 month or freeze for three months before using.
- 1-2 tbsp daily in smoothies, tea, coffee, soups, jams, and other dishes.
What is the Best Way to Consume Sea Moss?
The most common way to consume sea moss is as a gel, which can be readily added to various recipes such as smoothies, sauces, and ice cream! You can eat it with the spoonful as well. For various flavourings, some sea moss is combined with fruit and spices. The typical way to consume sea moss is a gel, which can be readily added to various recipes such as smoothies, sauces, and ice cream!
You can eat it with a spoonful as well. For added flavour, some sea moss is combined with fruit and spices. It can also be converted into a powder consumed in capsule form. This is something we’d love to have in stock for you shortly. Meanwhile, you can get the gel, dried moss, and a delicious scoop of ice cream at the shop at 680 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
How long does Sea Moss Gel Last?
- Sea moss gel can be kept in the refrigerator for one month if kept in a properly sealed jar or container.
- Making or purchasing sea moss gel in tiny batches rather than insignificant volumes is an intelligent option.
- However, sea moss gel can be kept in the freezer to extend its shelf life. Freezing is one of the best ways to keep sea moss gel fresh, as it can extend its life by up to 2-3 months.
- Pour a tiny amount of sea moss gel into a container and carefully close it to freeze it properly. Make sure to give room for expansion while it’s in the freezer before freezing it.
- Sea moss can also be preserved in an ice cube tray for easy access and long-term storage. Avoid storing your sea moss gel at room temperature to avoid going bad too soon.
- Avoid using and discarding the gel if you discover it has started to smell or appear unpleasant.
How does Sea Moss Taste?
Sea moss has a mild flavour when combined into juices or smoothies or used as a thickener in soups or desserts. Sea moss might have a crunchy or soft texture depending on its preparation. When eaten fresh, sea moss has an earthy flavour, with characteristics comparable to oysters, seaweed, and clams. If you decide that eating uncooked sea moss isn’t for you, you may include it in various foods and drinks to reap the benefits of this superfood.
Does Sea Moss Make you Gain Weight?
Sea moss (Chondrus crispus) is a red alga famous among health nuts for its alleged health advantages, including weight loss. While evidence supports the premise that sea moss has various health benefits, you may still be skeptical about the weight-loss promises.
This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of sea moss and whether it can aid weight loss.
It May Help you Lose Weight
Sea moss has a few properties that may support weight loss.
Research indicates it may help:
- regulate your appetite
- influence fat metabolism
- modulate your gut’s friendly bacteria
May Increase Feelings of Fullness
One of the vital bioactive chemicals in sea moss is carrageenan. It works as the soluble fibre in your digestive tract due to its tendency to gel and that your body cannot digest it.
Soluble fibre absorbs water and turns into a gel. This slows digestion by increasing the speed at which food passes through your digestive tract and delaying the emptying of your stomach.
As a result, you may feel fuller for longer, allowing you to eat less. Soluble fibre consumption has been associated with a reduction in body weight.
It May Help Reduce Body Fat
According to some research on red seaweed, carrageenan may help to reduce weight gain.
Animal studies indicate that it may help reduce body fat.
- lowering dietary fat absorption
- reducing the creation of fat cells
- increasing the breakdown of stored fat
- promoting the “fat-burning” effect of brown fat tissue
In addition, a 12-week trial involving 78 obese adults found that taking 1,000 milligrammes of red seaweed extract per day lowered body weight and total body fat mass considerably compared to the control group.
The more human study is still needed to confirm this impact.
It May have a Prebiotic Effect
Prebiotics are fibres that feed the friendly bacteria in your stomach, often known as the gut microbiota.
Recent research suggests that the bacteria in your stomach may influence your risk of obesity. According to the hypothesized process, specific species of bacteria in your gut may influence your weight by controlling energy expenditure and storage. On the other hand, prebiotics may aid in the improvement of your gut flora. Furthermore, research on carrageenan suggests that it may help to improve the composition of the gut.
Animal tests have been found to help increase good bacteria like Bifidobacterium breve while reducing dangerous bacteria like Clostridium septicum and Streptococcus pneumonia.
Conclusion
If maintained sealed and stored in a cool, dry place, dried sea moss will last for a year. Carrageenan powder can be preserved for a similar time if sealed and kept cool and dry. If you prepare a gel from carrageenan powder or cook sea moss, use it right away, though it can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days. Carrageenan is sold in vegan and vegetarian specialty stores, health food stores, and internet outlets. Dried sea moss can also be found in health food stores and the internet.
