Irish moss or Chondrus Crispus (also known as sea moss) is a red alga found on the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. It is high in carrageenan and is also very rich in iodine and sulfur. Because of this, they turned the ingredient into a drink that can boost your immune system. 

It is also used as a thickening and stabilizing agent for ice cream and other processed foods. Irish moss is a good alternative for gelatin to use in vegetarian and vegan dishes and drinks. It is also used to make lotions and moisturizers, its medicinal properties far-reaching.

Irish Moss Uses and Health Benefits

• Nutritional Benefits

Sea moss is a powerhouse, packing in 92 of the 102 minerals in the human body that strengthen the immune system and increase energy. 

Known to be a good salt alternative, you can take an Irish Sea Moss supplement rich in potassium chloride. As opposed to the more popular sodium chloride, potassium chloride reduces the risks of kidney stone formation, helps bone mineral density, controls hypertension, and reduces the risk of stroke.

Sea moss also soothes the digestive system to relieve dyspepsia and strengthens the joints and connective tissues with its high collagen content.

• Use in Food and Food Processing

Irish moss is also used as a clarifying agent for homebrewed beer. The proteins and other solids in the beer get attached to the Irish moss resulting in a clearer liquid. Moreover, Irish moss’s good gelling and emulsifying properties make it an excellent additive to ice creams, cheese, non-dairy milk, and meatloaves.

• Industrial Uses

Irish moss is the industrial carrageenan source used as thickeners and stabilizers in toothpaste, ice cream, or a clarifying agent for vegan beers and wines. Isinglass, another clarifying agent in beers and wines, comes from the swimbladder of fish. Moreover, Irish moss makes good organic fertilizer and fodder for livestock.

Sea Moss and Pregnancy

Sea moss aids infertility by having high amounts of B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. It is high in folate acid essential for preventing spina bifida, a neural tube defect wherein the spinal cord doesn’t develop properly.

Sea moss is also rich in iodine which prevents pregnant women from having pregnancy-related thyroid problems. However, be cautious when consuming fresh seaweeds since they may have high arsenic and mercury levels, outweighing the benefits.

Irish Moss Drink Recipes

Jamaican Irish Moss Drink

Jamaican Irish Moss Drink is made with dried sea moss, isinglass, flaxseeds, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and condensed milk. This vegan beverage is packed with herbs and spices that deliver a nutty yet sweet taste. 

Ingredients

To make the sea moss gel

• 100g Jamaican Irish moss/sea moss
• 6 cups Warm water to soak the moss
• 2 tbsp. Flaxseed

To make the drink

• 1 cup Almond milk or coconut milk
• Condensed milk (optional)
• ¼ cup Sweetener - coconut nectar, agave nectar, or maple syrup
• ⅛ tsp. Nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 6 strands Isinglass

Steps to Make

1. Place the sea moss in a colander.
2. Use your hands to thoroughly wash any debris and excess sea salt from your moss. Do this several times until the sea moss looks and feels less gritty.
3. Place the sea moss and flaxseed in a large size bowl with 6 cups of warm water and leave to soak overnight. The moss will expand in size, and the water should thicken slightly.
4. Use a colander to pour and drain off the excess water used to soak the sea moss.
5. Place the sea moss into a blender bowl and puree into a paste. The sea moss should be gelatinous in texture. It’s not too thick when you store it in a large jar in the refrigerator and will turn thick over time.
6. Scoop out the paste and transfer it into a jar/bowl and refrigerate.
7. Add 4tbsp of the sea moss paste along with the almond milk, vanilla, spices, sweetener of your choice into a high-speed blender.
8. Blend into a smooth consistency.
9. Serve accordingly.

Sea Moss Berry Smoothie

Blend strawberries, blackberries, lemon juice, sea moss gelatin, ginger, ice banana, and honey. Together, these make this smoothie high in potassium, antioxidants from the berries and lemon juice, and a bit of romance from this delicious smoothie.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. Sea moss jelly
• 2 cups Frozen mixed berries: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries
• 1 cup Frozen mangoes and peaches
• 2 tbsp. Raw agave

Steps to Make 

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
2. Serve and enjoy!

Vegan Sea Moss Milkshake

Make a vegan sea moss milkshake by eliminating the isinglass. Isinglass in the dried swimbladder of some fishes. Instead of using condensed milk, this recipe uses brazil nuts.  Brazil nuts are high in selenium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc. 

It also supports thyroid function with its high selenium concentration. Selenium is also useful in promoting overall immune system health and prevents several diseases related to the heart, fertility, and cancer. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Irish moss gel
• 1 1/2 cups Non-dairy milk (coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk)
• 6-8 Pitted dates (add more to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

Steps to Make

1. Take 1 cup of the cooled cooked Irish moss, place in a high-speed blender.
2. Add non-dairy milk, pitted dates, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 
3. Process until smooth and creamy.

Banana-Berry Irish Moss Smoothie

Thicken your smoothies with sea moss carrageenan. Made with pre-prepared sea moss, blend in banana, strawberries, blueberries, and almond milk to get this purple-ish smoothie.

Blueberries, when added to smoothies made with Irish moss, double the nutrient makeup of the smoothie. It is high in fiber, Vitamins C and K, and manganese. It is also high in antioxidants, helps lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. Irish Moss Gel
• 1/2 cup Fresh/frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup Fresh/frozen raspberries
• 1/2 cup Fresh/frozen strawberries
• 1/2 Large banana
• 1.5 cups Coconut almond milk (regular almond milk or skim milk also work)
• 2 tbsp. Ground flax seeds
• 1 tsp. Dulse flakes
• 3 Ice cubes

Steps to Make 

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
2. Serve and enjoy!

Irish Moss-Flaxseed Smoothie

Indulge in this nutrient-packed smoothie made from Irish moss, bananas, peanuts, and flaxseed and spiced with allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Use almond milk as a base if you want a vegetarian version, or use milk for a non-vegan, creamier drink. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Irish Moss Gel
• 1 1/2 cups Non-dairy milk (coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk)
• 6-8 Pitted dates (add more to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
• ¼ cup Flaxseed
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

Steps to Make 

1. Take 1 cup of the cooled cooked Irish moss, place in a high-speed blender.
2. Add non-dairy milk, pitted dates, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flaxseed. 
3. Process until smooth and creamy.

Caribbean Irish Moss Drink

Besides the isinglass and flaxseed, you can add Arabic gum or acacia gum to the Irish Moss drink. Add some flavor by adding cashew nuts, rolled oats, strawberry syrup, or any fruity syrup or jam.

Ingredients

• ¾ lbs. of Irish Moss seaweed
• 4 oz. Gum acacia
• ¾ cups Natural honey
• ¾ lbs. Sugar
• 4 oz. of Isinglass
• 5 oz. Flaxseed
• 4 tbsp. Vanilla extract
• 4 qt. Water
• 3 tbsp. Nutmeg powder

Steps to Make 

1. Take a large kettle and fill it up with five quarts of water.
2. While boiling your water, toss in the gum acacia, Irish Moss, linseed, and isinglass. Cook these ingredients for 40 to 45 minutes until they all dissolve, except for the Irish Moss. Strain the liquid and throw away the Irish Moss.
3. Mix the remaining ingredients into the mixture. If the drink’s taste is not to your liking, feel free to include some syrup or anything that can enhance the flavor.
4. Place your drink inside the fridge for four hours, and serve. Add a cup of water if your beverage is too thick.

Conclusion

Irish moss is a blessing due to its variety of uses. Many livelihoods are anchored with the collection, propagation, and processing of this vital seaweed. With its many nutritional benefits, the bottom line is still consumption in moderation. Always weigh the benefits with the ill-effects, especially if one is pregnant, lactating, or is sick and has some undiagnosed illness. 

Here is another Irish drink you may want to try, the Irish Trash Can.