What Is Sea Moss—and What Does It Taste Like?

You’ve heard about sea moss—likely from your favorite celebrities. Model Bella Hadid swears by the ingredient in her daily routine, while Winnie Harlow and Hailey Bieber both utilized the ingredient in their designated smoothies from Erewhon, the high-luxury grocery store in Los Angeles. Even actor Michael B. Jordan launched the first ready-to–drink sea moss drink named Moss, a blend of organic juices, botanical extracts, and herbs.

So, before hopping directly onto the sea moss bandwagon from these celeb endorsements, you first should know exactly what it is and what it does to your body. The good news is, we did the research for you, so that you (and your healthcare provider) can determine if sea moss is worth the addition to your diet.

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What Is Sea Moss?

Sea moss is a type of seaweed found in the ocean. "Sea moss" is actually a general umbrella term encompassing an algae species (also referred to as Irish moss). It ranges in color from red to green to yellow—but gold sea moss is one of the more popular shades used in food.

The edible sea plant grows in warmer climates in the Caribbean, South Africa, or Southern Asia and along the Atlantic coast between North America and Europe. The hotter climates are known to produce more high-quality sea moss in terms of taste and texture. Aside from food, sea moss is used in certain medicines, cosmetics, skin care, and agriculture techniques.

Is Sea Moss Good For You?

Seaweed has been cooked and used as a source of food and a nutrient-heavy ingredient for a very long time (as far back as 300 B.C.). Sea moss, in particular, can help reduce inflammation, improve the immune system, and regulate gut health (serving as a prebiotic). It also contains iodine and tyrosine to support thyroid function.

The food is also a solid source of omega-3 fatty acids to benefit heart health, similar to salmon or flaxseed. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before consuming sea moss on a regular basis, though.

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How to Eat Sea Moss

Sea Moss comes in the form of a gel, supplement, or powder. You can throw a designated serving size of the gel or powder (usually around 2 tablespoons of gel or 1 teaspoon of powder, depending on what’s listed on the nutritional label) in smoothies, ice cream, or other beverages such as coffee or tea. Or you can eat it by the spoonful right out of the jar. Sprinkle the powder over your morning meal of yogurt or oatmeal for an extra health boost. If you want to consume sea moss supplements, consult with a doctor before incorporating it into your usual vitamin rotation.

Cooking with the powder form of sea moss is also an option. But beware that it can have a strong fishy or earthy taste, which can affect the resulting flavor of your dish. If you choose to throw it in a sauce, soup, or stew, it can be used as a thickening agent in lieu of starches, flour, and more. Look for recipes to incorporate sea moss into such as homemade applesauce, cranberry sauce, or fish broth.

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