Irish moss

Irish moss is a small branching red seaweed, although its shape and colour varies according to conditions. Fronds at certain times of year show a blue iridescence on their tips. The complex carbohydrate carrageenan can constitute the majority of its weight. While Irish moss has long been used a source of this gelling agent, most commercial production is from farmed warm-water red seaweeds - Kappaphycus and Eucheuma - that are sold as sea moss or, misleadingly, Irish moss. 

This species is easily confused with Mastocarpus stellatus, which is helpfully named false Irish Moss. The two related species share the same habitat, with the false version dominating our harvest sites. Although we have very limited stocks of Irish moss, the Horizon Seaweed team can source Irish moss from approved external suppliers.