Do you need to domesticate Jamaican sea moss or Irish sea moss? Jamaican sea moss and Irish moss are algae in excessive demand as a result of their medicinal makes use of and vibrant vary of colours.
Though generally mistaken for Irish moss, Jamaican sea moss incorporates many properties that make them distinctive, together with having a variety of seaweed species that change their colours. Jamaican sea moss will not be your typical moss seaweed present in hotter climates and is exclusive in many alternative methods. From the color-changing capability to being wealthy in vitamins and nutritional vitamins, it’s simple to see why moss has been in such excessive demand within the final decade.
Irish moss is the cousin of the Jamaican sea moss and is wildly identified for its vibrant crimson shade and branches, giving it a tree-like look and making this sea moss a novel sight to behold. To not point out the extra advantages you get from harvesting these intriguing algae.
Let’s discover the variations between Jamaican sea moss and Irish moss!
Evaluating Jamaican Sea Moss and Irish Moss
Jamaican Sea Moss | Irish Sea Moss | |
---|---|---|
Classification | Genus: Gracilaria | Genus: Chondrus |
Origin | Discovered alongside the coastlines of each continent besides Antarctica | Discovered alongside the coastlines of Europe and North America |
Widespread Names | Jamaican Sea Moss, Purple Sea Moss | Irish Moss, Carrageen Moss |
Description | – Grows in clumps which are between 10 and 11 inches vast and 18 inches lengthy – Consists of a flat frond – Lengthy, slender branches – Is available in purple, crimson, and greenish-yellow hues |
– Grows 7-8 inches lengthy – Grows particular person branches which are lower than half an inch vast – Agency texture – Inexperienced shade when near the ocean’s floor and darkish crimson when rising deeper within the ocean – Branches in a fan-like method |
Makes use of | – Assist stop respiratory illnesses – Relieve sunburn and hydrate pores and skin – Relieve congestion – Soothes sore throat – Immune help |
– It could possibly assist decrease ldl cholesterol – Lowers irritation – Immune help – Nourish your pores and skin |
Jamaican Sea Moss vs. Irish Moss: Classification And Origin
Jamaican sea moss, also referred to as purple sea moss, comes from the Gracilariaceae household beneath the genus Gracilaria. They’re native to all oceans besides Antarctica as a result of it thrives greatest in hotter water and local weather situations. It’s a part of the Gracilaria household, containing over 200 species, lots of that are native to the Caribbean. The Gracilaria species want to develop in heat waters throughout the globe.
Jamaican sea moss grew to become standard amongst the Caribean Islands, and its inhabitants have used it for hundreds of years. You will discover Jamaican moss in meals merchandise, hair merchandise, dietary supplements, and extra. It’s simple to see why as a result of they’re wealthy in minerals and nutritional vitamins. Consequently, Jamaican sea moss has turn out to be essential ingredient for residence treatments among the many Caribean.
You will discover Irish sea moss along the Atlantic coast of North America and Europe. These comfortable crimson algae get seen alongside most Irish coastlines, Iceland, and the USA and Canada coasts. They survive with minimal daylight. Subsequently, Irish moss can develop on the ocean flooring, center intertidal, and subtidal zones.

©iStock.com/ablokhin
Jamaican Sea Moss vs. Irish Moss: Description
Jamaican sea moss is available in crimson, purple, and greenish-yellow hues. This sea moss has fronds with lengthy, flat branches extending from them. It usually grows in clumps, and since it makes use of a holdfast root system, the moss normally grows effectively in shallow waters comparable to estuaries.
Jamaican sea moss is extra generally generally known as purple sea moss and is extensively identified for its use within the creation of agar. It will get harvested to create all types of merchandise, from nutritional vitamins, dietary supplements, and superfoods. It’s now even getting used to create make-up merchandise.
Irish sea moss is a small sea alga that usually has a crimson or darkish look and is between 7-8 inches lengthy. It has a agency texture and is inexperienced when discovered nearer to the ocean’s floor whereas getting darkish crimson when it grows on the ocean flooring. The moss has particular person branches that look much like a fan and are about half an inch or much less vast.
Jamaican Sea Moss vs. Irish Moss: Makes use of
Sea moss is just like the jack of all trades concerning every little thing you should utilize for them. Jamaican sea moss, particularly, is a major supply of agar which has thickening and preserving properties, and you may even see them in meals merchandise comparable to jelly and soup. It’s also a supply of protein and nutritional vitamins with the next health benefits:
- Forestall respiratory illnesses comparable to colds, flu, and pneumonia
- Hydrate the pores and skin and relieve sunburn
- Relieve congestion and soothe a sore throat
- It incorporates vitamin C and boosts the immune system
Irish sea moss, like its cousin, incorporates thickening and preserving properties within the carrageenan it produces. As well as, research suggests that carrageenan can decrease levels of cholesterol and irritation. Nevertheless, it is very important be aware that consuming an excessive amount of Irish sea moss can increase your iodine intake, which has negative effects, together with vomiting and diarrhea.

©iStock.com/Алексей Филатов
Jamaican Sea Moss vs. Irish Moss: How To Develop
Rising or propagating Jamaican sea moss and Irish sea moss develop with a holdfast. These vegetation take in vitamins all through their total physique and fix themselves to rocks in situations which are preferable for his or her progress. Think about the next recommendations on harvesting sea moss.
Jamaican sea moss:
- The moss will develop greatest in water with temperatures between 75-85 levels Fahrenheit
- Jamaican sea moss will adapt to many water situations as long as the salinity of the water is right
- Harvest by hand
- Harvest the alga in estuaries, tidal swimming pools, and alongside coastlines
Irish sea moss:
- Irish sea moss grows greatest in 68 levels Fahrenheit water temperature
- These vegetation are normally present in rock swimming pools and on rocks
- Irish sea moss is delicate to mild and can seem paler within the daylight
- Harvest by hand
To reap these two sea moss, you need to take a seaweed harvesting class earlier than going out and doing so your self. There are greater than 12,000 species of moss, and it’s simple to confuse them.
Closing Ideas
Jamaican sea moss and Irish sea moss are intriguing vegetation. Though they’re cousins that belong to the identical household and are sometimes mistaken for each other, they’re distinct and distinctive. From making medicinal substances to being the lacking ingredient in a terrific pot of meals, these vegetation’ use is seemingly countless.
To not point out the aesthetic enchantment every plant holds! Whether or not you need to add a little bit of boldness and class to your backyard or hoping to make use of these vegetation to create new recipes, the chances are countless.