Sea moss (Barbados)

Description

Sea Moss is a species of red algae which grows abundantly along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America.

Our sea moss is from the Caribbean islands and sold in 100g packets (unprocessed) and 50g packets (natural debris removed, cleaned and separated into small pieces). You’ll notice that the price for the 50g packets is almost the same as the 100g packets as it’s particularly time-consuming to clean and sort the sea moss once it’s been removed from the ocean.

It’s an industrial source of carrageenan, which is the main reason for cultivation however due to a high nutrient density, it’s also grown and dried then exported around the world to be used as a healthy supplement to a balanced diet.

Culinary uses of sea moss vary across the world. In Ireland and parts of Scotland, it’s boiled in milk and strained, before sugar and other flavourings such as vanilla, cinnamon, brandy, or whiskey are added. The end product is a kind of jelly similar to pannacotta.

Similarly, in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, it’s boiled with cinnamon and milk to make a thick drink called Irish moss that is believed to be an aphrodisiac.

In Venezuela it has been used for generations as a home remedy for sore throat and chest congestion, boiled in milk and served with honey before bed.