Eating well is a known remedy to achieve wellness in your body and mind. One of the best food groups to reach this wellness are Superfoods. Superfood can be any type of food that is rich in antioxidants and fiber.
Unlike the terms carbohydrates or proteins, Superfoods don’t have a strict criteria and instead, the label is used to help the average person search for food that is good for them. Superfoods focus on highlighting food that has healthy fats, healthy fiber, and a balance of healthy nutrients.
Some of the most common foods that are Super are salmon, blueberries, and kale! Eating Superfoods can prevent heart disease, prevent diabetes and prevent digestion problems.
A new trend in Superfoods is sea moss!
What is Sea Moss?
Sea Moss is a type of seaweed that grows all year long, like an evergreen. You would find sea moss in tidepools and inlets. Usually, sea moss is grown to harvest carrageenan which is a type of carbohydrate used in baking and cosmetics, but it can be eaten on its own as has been for centuries in many cultures.
Sea Moss can be eaten as it is, used as a tablet, or formed into a gel. In gel form, you can add it to your soups and stew as a thickener.
Does Whole Foods sell Sea Moss?
Currently, Whole Foods only sells Irish Moss. They sell the Irish moss in two forms, powdered and dried. There is no real difference between the dried and powdered versions apart from price and packaging.
The powered version will allow you to store more than the dried version, and because it can contain more it is also more expensive.
What is the difference between Irish Moss and Sea Moss?
Irish Moss and Sea Moss are often considered to be the same thing, but this is a common misconception. They are two different plants and so they work in different ways to each other.
Because they are thought to be the same plant by most of the public, the moss you buy at your local store might be labeled incorrectly. This isn’t done maliciously. The likelihood is that the seller knows the public does not realize there is a difference and so they use the name they believe the public prefers.
No matter which moss you have, they both offer fantastic health benefits. To help you better know which moss you have and what it is good for, we’ve created a little guide.
Sea Moss
What Does Sea Moss Look Like?
Sea Moss is thick and sticky like seaweed. It grows in tropical climates and can be found in a variety of colors.
The most common colors are gold and purple, but you can find the rare blues and greens too.
What Is Sea Moss Good For?
Sea Moss is great for your skin, your joints, your bones, and your heart. This is because it has collagen in it, which is a major component for connective tissues.
Irish Moss
What does Irish Moss Look Like?
Irish Moss is also a seaweed but they have flat, fan-like leaves. They grow in colder locations, like Ireland, and they generally only come in darker colors like purple. Irish Moss is rare in comparison to Sea Moss.
What is Irish Moss Good For?
Irish moss has all the positives of Sea Moss, but it also contains carrageenan, which you can use as a thickening agent. Eating too much Irish Moss can cause bloating because of this thickening effect.
Does Whole Foods sell Sea Moss gel?
Whole Foods currently doesn’t sell Sea Moss as a gel, however, if you are in need of the gel you can buy the powdered or dried version and make the gel yourself!
How to make Sea Moss Gel in 3 steps:
- First, you should clean the moss, and then allow it to soak in filtered or spring water for 24 hours.
- Next, blend the moss using the soaked water to get to a consistency that you like.
- Lastly, put the newly blended gel into ice trays or little glasses, so you can easily grab it when you need it.
You can freeze your gel and then use it to thicken up your soups, stews, or even smoothies.
When it comes to smoothies, Sea Moss gel is a creative alternative to bananas if you don’t like their taste or are allergic to them. Bananas are normally the hidden ingredient in most smoothies as they are a great thickener, which means those who need to avoid bananas often have a hard time finding a smoothie they can drink.
Instead, you can use Sea Moss gel and get the same thickening effect without using bananas!