Native to Ireland and traditionally harvested for the carrageenan inside its cell walls to thicken foods, whether savoury like stews or sweets such as ready-to-eat cream desserts, sea moss is becoming a popular addition to people’s diet as it is believed to have number of health benefits.
According to Heathline, “red seaweeds like sea moss contain an array of vitamins and minerals. They’re naturally low in calories, fat, and sugar, and they contain a small amount of plant protein…like other sea vegetables, sea moss is also a naturally good source of iodine, a micronutrient necessary for thyroid health…additionally, red seaweeds like sea moss are full of antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect your cells from disease-causing oxidative damage”.
Fascinating stuff, indeed.
There are many ways to ‘take’ or simply eat sea moss; some might just eat it straight off a spoon, while others may mainline the stuff directly into their veins, but you’d be surprised to learn just how sea moss can be incorporated into your diet in a number of fun and tasty ways.
The easiest way, however, is to treat it like a protein powder and blend it into your morning or post-workout smoothie, we think. With this in mind, Jana Fritzsche, who teaches Nutritional Chef Classes for UK Healthy Living and Ageing Platform Goldster, shares two recipes for delicious sea moss smoothies that you can make at home.
Mango Sea Moss Smoothie
This sea moss smoothie is a natural wellness bomb. Containing over 92 minerals of 110 our body needs, it supports immunity, has pre-biotic properties that support gut health, is rich in potassium, magnesium, and boasts loads of antioxidant properties. It supports the health of your thyroid as well as weight loss. The list goes on, I think, but you got the drift….
Cook time: 5 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 165 kcal
What You’ll Need
- Food Processor
- Bowl
- Chopping Board and Knife
Ingredients
Sea Moss Gel
- 1 cup dried sea moss
- 1.5 cups water and extra for rinsing
Smoothie Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sea moss gel
- 1 mango, ripe cut into chunks and frozen
- 1 cup pineapple cut into chunks and frozen
- 1 cup coconut water or non-dairy milk, such as oat, almond, etc
- 1/2-inch Ginger grated, peel on for extra fibre
Method
To Make The Sea Moss Gel (if not using ready-made)
- Rinse the sea moss well and soak in warm water for 12-24 hrs
- Rinse again and add to a blender
- Add 1.5 cups of water and blend to a smooth gel
To Make The Smoothie
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth
- Serve in a glass
- Store in the fridge in a sealed bottle for up to 3 days.
Ideal Tip: Add raspberries or blue berries, bananas, or apples. For extra flavour add cinnamon, Chia seeds or turmeric.
Spiced Sea Moss Smoothie
Irish migrants brought sea moss to Jamaica and it’s become one of Jamaica’s most notorious drinks for those who seek a certain “vigour”. Indeed, it is believed “to put lead in your pencil “, and boost energy that in turn will lead to an increased libido.
In Jamaica, locals wash the moss, boil it with milk, then add vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg and condensed milk. This delicious and creamy spiced smoothie combines the flavours of the Caribbean.
As explained by Fritzsche, this smoothie is “rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, amino acids, iodine and so much more. Its benefits include cardiovascular support, reducing blood-sugar and supporting the immune system”.
Cook time: 10 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 145 kcal
What You’ll Need
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 250 ml Water
- 4 tbsp Irish Sea Moss Gel
- 200 ml coconut milk or you can use oat, almond or dairy milk instead
- 1 piece ginger 1/2-inch sized piece, grated, peel on for extra fibre
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 6 dates pitted and soaked
- 1 banana chopped and frozen
- 1 pinch clove ground
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth
- Keep in the fridge in a bottle for up to 3 days
By the way, sea moss was included in our round-up of 2023’s biggest food trends, as picked by a selection of London’s top chefs. Do check it out sometime!