- Sea moss, also known as Irish Sea Moss, is an incredible superfood with a wide range of health benefits! If done right, making Sea Moss Gel is easy and can be used in many ways, from in your smoothies to as a face mask!
- Wildcrafted Sea Moss, or Irish Moss, is used for both culinary and nutritional purposes (made popular by Dr. Sebi). Learn all about this seaweed and its benefits, uses, how to prepare Irish sea moss gel, and how much to take daily.
Generally speaking, sea moss sounds like a damp, green substance that you would find compressed to an old rock at the bottom of the sea, but this isn’t quite accurate. Ever since Kim Kardashian dropped the sea moss bomb in her tweet, everyone has been dying to give this trend a try (including us).
But luckily, this isn’t just a Kardashian choice that will make you scratch your head. Both the health and beauty industries have been buzzing about sea moss recently, and rightfully so.
Whether you have been consuming Irish sea moss for its amazing benefits for some time now or are just preparing to jump on the bandwagon, you might know that sea moss is most easily consumed in gel form.
In this article, we’ll show you an easy method of preparing sea moss gel at home. The best part? We have also provided delicious homemade sea moss gel recipes at the end of this guide. Let’s get right into it!
Table of Contents
What is Sea Moss and its Different Types?
In simple terms, sea moss is a type of red seaweed harvested from the Atlantic coastlines of Ireland, Europe, and the United States. Also known as ‘the collagen of the sea’, it is commonly used as a thickening agent in foods like ice cream and almond milk.Irish moss or wildcrafted sea moss is used for both food and medicine.
Recently, it has gained a lot of attention because of its many benefits for your skin and body. It is commonly used as a thickener or gel, rather than eaten plain. There are also cultures that prepare it as a drink using boiled water mixed with sugar and milk. But if none of that works for you, don’t back off yet because these days you can get it as pills too.
Nutritional information for a serving of raw Irish sea moss consisting of four teaspoons (20 grams) is as follows:
- Protein: 0.5 grams
- Total fat: 0 grams
- Calories: 10
- Total carbs: 3 grams
- Fiber: 0.5 grams
- Phosphorus: 2% of the DV
- Zinc: 4% of the DV
- Copper: 3% of the DV
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Calcium: 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Iron: 10% of the DV
- Magnesium: 7% of the DV
Sea moss comes in different types, and the most commonly used types are:
- Chondrus Crispus
- Genus Gracilaria
- Eucheuma Cottonii
Even though there are thousands of sea moss species down in the ocean, there are two main ones that are currently popular today:
- Genus Gracilaria (golden sea moss)
- Chondrus Crispus (purple sea moss)
The purple sea moss grows in cold water climates, like Iceland, Maine, and Great Britain. It is relatively richer in nutrients, produces a stronger fishy scent, and is darker in color. This type is harder to find and more expensive.
Jamaican Sea Moss, also called Yellow Sea Moss, is a genus of Gracilaria that grows in warm water. It therefore typically originates from places such as South America and the Caribbean. These sea mosses have a characteristic golden color, since they naturally dry in the sun.
What is Sea Moss Gel
Although sea moss is incredibly beneficial, not everyone wants to consume it in powder or pill form.
Gel is the most convenient way to consume it, and there are several good reasons for this. Firstly, sea moss gel can be made at home, and secondly, it can be added to food or smoothies for a delicious taste. The sea moss gel is a combination of water and sea moss.
There is a mild smell of dried sea moss. The golden Irish moss has a mineral/grassy smell, whereas the purple and pink sea mosses have a more complex aroma. Fortunately, the smell goes away once you soak the dried sea moss.
How to Make Sea Moss Gel
Making sea moss gel is no rocket science, even if you are not a fan of DIYs. Grab the following before you begin:
- A blender
- 2 bowls
- Water
- Jar for storage
And of course, a little bit of patience. Once you have everything you need, here is what to do:
- To begin with, clean the sea moss. Add your dried sea moss to a large bowl of water. In case the dried sea moss is extremely dirty, you can soak it in water and gently massage it. If you are using wildcrafted sea moss, we recommend washing it properly.
- Once done, place it in a separate bowl and cover it with filtered or alkaline water. Make sure you soak all parts of the sea moss.
- Then, let the sea moss soak for at least 12-24 hours at room temperature. By the end of this time, you will see that the sea moss has expanded due to the absorption of water.
You’re done? Awesome!
Next, follow these steps to make sea moss gel:
- When 12-24 hours have passed, transfer the sea moss to a dry plate. You might want to check the water situation before this. Discard the Irish moss water if it contains debris. Although, if it’s clean, it can be kept, since it now accumulates the sea moss minerals.
- Put the sea moss and water into a high-powered blender.
- Begin with 1 cup of water, then add more as needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Blend until it is smooth (1-3 minutes is recommended).
- Finally, put the Sea Moss into a mason jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. The mixture will thicken within a few hours.
As simple as that!
Prepare Fruit Infused Sea Moss Gel
You’re feeling creative and want to step up your homemade sea moss gel game by preparing something that has all the three; color, nutrition, and taste. What do you do?
Fruit Infused sea moss gel might be your answer.
Sea moss can absorb the flavor of fruit when blended with it, so you will no longer have to add it to your smoothies or drinks. Just take a spoonful straight from the jar and eat it! It tastes like fruit-flavored applesauce.
Here is what you need:
- Organic Fresh or Frozen Fruit – make sure whatever you choose is organic.
- Organic Medjool Pitted Dates – since this recipe does not involve artificial sweeteners, we will use dates (aka nature’s candies). Dates also help develop a smooth consistency.
- Sea moss and water – of course, the chief ingredients!
Once you have everything mentioned above, it’s time to start preparing the gel. Here is what you need to do:
- Clean your sea moss by following the steps we mentioned above. Once it is cleaned, let it soak in water for 12-24 hours.
- After you have soaked the sea moss for 12-24 hours, grab your remaining ingredients. You should let frozen fruit thaw before using it, if you are going to. Likewise, soak the dates in filtered or spring water for at least 30 minutes before blending.
- Then, in a high-powered blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth, about 1-3 minutes. It’s best to start on the lowest setting and gradually increase it.
- Place the gel in an airtight container/mason jar and refrigerate. After approximately 2 hours, the sea moss gel will thicken in the fridge.
Note: If you are looking for exact measurements, note that in this recipe, we have used 0.5 oz of unsoaked sea moss, 1 cup fruit (cut into cubes), 5 Medjool dates, and 1 cup water. In case you want to use soaked sea moss, 5.5 oz is the recommended quantity here.
Different Ways to Use Sea Moss Gel
Your refrigerator now has a container full of sea moss – time to get creative!
Listed below are 4 different and creative ways to use sea moss gel every day:
Add it in Your Smoothie
The easiest way to enjoy sea moss gel’s benefits is to incorporate it into a smoothie. As the taste of sea moss is very light, any fruits and vegetables used in the smoothie will mask its taste. All you have to do is blend the sea moss gel along with the regular ingredients until smooth.
A 1/4 cup of sea moss gel is enough for two servings of smoothie.
Use it as a Natural Thickening Agent
Due to its thick consistency, Irish moss gel can be used as a natural thickening agent. It is good to add to soups, stews, drinks, ice cream, and more.
Furthermore, if you are making jam at home, add sea moss now, as soon as it starts to thicken. Stir it well for a while and then store in a mason jar. You can use ¼ cup of sea moss gel for one jam jar.
Add it in Your Face Mask
There is a reason why sea moss is called ‘the collagen of the sea’.
Sea moss is packed with essential nutrients, and thus is a bit of a skincare powerhouse. Upon contact with the skin, it forms a biomimetic film that is similar to protein. Because of this, sea moss extract promotes and strengthens keratinization of the epidermis (aka protein boost). Not only that, but it also helps retain moisture in the skin, so it stays plump and hydrated.
To use it as a mask, combine 2 tablespoons of sea moss with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. You can use sea moss to moisten your skin and turmeric can reduce or clear breakouts since it is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Water Your Plants With it
By now, you already know that sea moss contains a lot of nutrients, so it shouldn’t surprise you that putting sea moss in your water when watering your plants will keep them healthy.
Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of sea moss gel with half a gallon of water and use it to water your plants for the best results!
Delicious Recipes with Sea Moss Gel
Feel like getting creative with the recipes? We got you covered.
Here are some easy-to-prepare recipes using sea moss gel that is sure to be a hit with both adults and children:
Strawberry Banana Icecream
Let us guess – you love ice cream but would rather eat something healthier?
What does a high mineral sweet treat, aka strawberry banana ice cream sound like? We know, adding seaweed to your ice cream sounds strange, but sea moss does not have any taste of its own and masks the flavour of anything it is added to.
Here are the ingredients you need to make the ice cream:
- 5-6 ripe burro bananas (approximately 2 ½ cups)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- ¼ cup prepared sea moss gel
- 3 tablespoons agave nectar
- 2 tablespoons milk of your choice
- Lemon juice ( ½ key lime)
Note: For this recipe, burro bananas should be very ripe. You should also scrape away the white, stringy parts of the banana before using it.
Once you have everything listed, follow these steps:
- Slice your bananas and strawberries finely and place them in a Ziploc bag. Chill for four hours (or overnight).
- Once the fruits are frozen, toss them in your blender along with sea moss gel, agave nectar, milk, and lime juice.
- Blend until you achieve a thick, smooth consistency. When the mixture is ready, taste it and adjust the flavor according to your preferences.
- Once done, transfer your ice cream to a glass container and let it sit in your freezer for around 4 hours.
- After four hours, thaw the ice cream slightly for a couple of minutes (you don’t want to eat it rock-hard) and serve!
You can store the ice cream in your freezer for up to 2 weeks. In case you want to add this ice cream to your weight loss plan, increase the number of strawberries and use fewer bananas. You can also use less agave nectar.
Bone Broth (Vegan)
Since ancient times, bone broth has been used for its nutritional value and minerals – no wonder why all grandmothers love it.
This bone broth recipe is for vegans, and contains sea moss gel that enhances its gut-healing properties. Moreover, you can use any vegetables of your choice in this recipe (celery is our favorite).
Here is what you need to grab:
- 1 cup dandelion greens
- 2 cups dried mushrooms
- A small piece of ginger
- ¼ cup prepared sea moss gel
- 3 bay leaves, dried or fresh
- 1 cup dried kelp
- A couple of cilantro or culantro leaves
- 10 cups spring water
- Mason jar for storage
Remember, the vegetables listed here are optional. They can be replaced with any healthy vegetables that you may have in your refrigerator right now!
Once you have grabbed all the ingredients, here is all that you need to do:
- Place your cooker on the stove and fill it with water.
- Add all the vegetables along with the sea moss gel in the cooker and let them cook for 8 hours on low heat.
- After the broth has been cooked, strain it through a strainer into a large glass bowl.
- You can now transfer the broth to your mason jars and store it in your refrigerator. It can stay fresh for 5-7 days in the liquid form but if you want to store it for longer, freeze it in ice cube trays.
This vegan bone broth can be drunk plain (half cup per day) or added to homemade dishes like soup. The broth’s consistency might thicken a bit since it has sea moss gel in it.
Strawberry Rhubarb Fool with Sea Moss Custard
Sounds like something you’d only hear on the floors of ‘The Masterchef’.
This fancy recipe (creamy sea moss custard with soft pound cake topped with de-lish compote) from the Food Network is great for special Friday dinners when you want something both healthy and nice.
Here is everything that you need to have:
Irish moss custard
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- ½ vanilla bean split lengthwise
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ Tbsp liqueur Grand Marnier
- ¼ cup prepared sea moss gel
- 1 tsp orange zest
Strawberry Rhubard Compote
- 2 cup rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp orange juice
- 1 Tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup hulled and sliced strawberries
And vanilla pound cake.
Here is how to make sea moss custard:
- Mix the yolks and sugar with a wooden spoon in a medium stainless steel bowl. Pour boiling milk over vanilla bean splits in a saucepan. Whisk constantly to prevent curdling after removing from heat. In a bowl, beat the egg mixture and add the vanilla seeds.
- In a medium saucepan, put the egg mixture and sea moss. Boil the mixture and whisk constantly, until it thickens. While it thickens, whisk the mixture constantly until it reaches the boiling point.
- Then, turn the heat off and whisk in the liqueur and orange zest.
To make strawberry rhubarb compote, follow these instructions:
- Simmer rhubarb, sugar, orange juice, and zest together in a large saucepan.
- Stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Put the strawberries in and let them soften for a few minutes. After 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and let it cool.
Once done, it’s time to assemble!
In a small bowl, put a slice of pound cake. Top the pound cake with some strawberry-rhubarb sauce and then add Irish sea moss custard. Serve with a shortbread cookie and whipped vanilla cream.
Sea Moss Gel Benefits
Due to its high mineral and nutrient content, sea moss has become a popular ingredient for everything from skincare products to smoothies. Here are some potential benefits that you can enjoy with its daily consumption:
- Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining heart health and sea moss is one of the best sources. Adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet reduces your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- A sea moss’s richness in iodine is good for your thyroid system which regulates your metabolism and mood.
- Sea moss offers the body exceptional protection against viruses, everyday aging, and inflammation. Because of its potassium chloride composition, it helps reduce inflammation.
- If you have thyroid problems, Irish moss can help. It contains the thyroid hormone precursor DI-amino-iodothyronine (DIT), as well as the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
- Approximately 6 grams of protein are present in 100 grams of sea moss, making it a highly protein-rich food. Adding sea moss gel to your post-workout smoothie is the best way to reap its benefits.
If you are looking for more detailed information, head over to our comprehensive guide on the different benefits of sea moss.
How Much Sea Moss Gel Should You Use Daily
When it comes to how much you should take each day, there is no set rule. Ideally, we recommend you start off with a tablespoon or two a day and see how it makes you feel. Because sea moss is nutritionally dense, you don’t need to accumulate a lot of it to reap its benefits.
How Long Does Sea Moss Gel Last
Sea moss gel has a shelf life of a month if stored in a well-sealed jar in a refrigerator, and 2-3 months if frozen. In any case, if the product smells bad or looks discolored, throw it away immediately. We recommend you prepare sea moss gel in smaller batches rather than in large amounts.
Other Ways to Consume Sea Moss
For those who don’t want to make sea moss gel or consume sea moss, there are a couple of other options.
- Seaweed can be easily consumed every single day by taking pills or capsules. These capsules are a source of amino acids, nutrients, alginic acids, and fatty acids that are beneficial for the human body. But it’s important to keep in mind that capsules don’t digest as quickly.
- Sea moss can also be used as a powder (crushed dry seaweed). You can mix it into tea, smoothies, shakes, or yogurt.
- Sea moss is also available in tinctures, which are convenient to those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
FAQs
Can you eat sea moss gel raw?
Sea moss can be taken as a supplement or powder. It can also be made into a gel at home using raw sea moss. This gel can be eaten on its own or mixed into smoothies and other foods and beverages as we discussed above.
How long do you boil sea moss?
If you want to boil sea moss, rinse the Irish moss and place it into a medium saucepan. Stir it occasionally until it comes to a low boil, then cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes. After this time, withdraw it from the heat and strain out the water. If the water is clean, you can keep it for blending later.
How long does it take for sea moss to start working?
Sea Moss can help people with iodine deficiency, which causes them to notice differences in their energy, mental, and physical health within a week of consuming it. Generally, it takes between three and six weeks to see noticeable changes.
How many times a day should I take sea moss gel?
1-2 tablespoons of sea moss gel daily is recommended by several doctors. Gel form is one of the most popular ways to use and ingest sea moss, but it can also be consumed as a capsule or in powder form.
Does sea moss expire?
Dried sea moss will expire after a certain period of time. Depending on how you are storing your dried sea moss, you may have a shelf life of 3 months after breaking the seal of your sea moss jar. Sea moss that is kept in a damp and warm place is guaranteed to deteriorate quickly. Make sure you place it in a dry, cool place.
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to make sea moss gel.
We tried walking you through the methods in detail, and hope that we answered all your questions along the way. Preparing and storing sea moss gel are both fairly easy. Just make sure that you consume a moderate amount of sea moss gel every day and you should be good!