Are you interested in boiling sea moss? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Although most people prefer to cold soak their sea moss, you can also boil it. Join in as I provide you with a step-by-step guide for how to boil sea moss for making sea moss gel in today’s post.
Table of Contents
- Can You Put Sea Moss in Hot Water?
- Is Boiling Sea Moss Bad?
- Should You Boil Sea Moss?
- What Happens If You Boil Sea Moss?
- How to Use Boiled Sea Moss Gel
- Can You Boil Sea Moss? Yes, Absolutely!
- FAQ
Can You Put Sea Moss in Hot Water?
You certainly can. In fact, boiled sea moss is the traditional Caribbean way to consume sea moss. However, there are other more modern ways to do it, such as soaking and blending sea moss that people also use.
One of the issues with putting Irish sea moss in hot water is that people often think it will affect its nutritional value. Boiling anything can have its benefits (such as the killing of germs) but boiling certain foods can lower their nutritional value. It’s because of this that many people worry that though the boiling method is the most traditional way to make raw sea moss gel, it may not be the most nutritive option for those looking to reap the benefits of consuming sea moss.
Is Boiling Sea Moss Bad?
The debate rages on when it comes to whether or not you should consume boiled sea moss. And because there doesn’t appear to be any major studies or findings on the issue, much of what is assumed about boiling sea moss is up for debate.
Based on other things we know about boiling foods, it is possible that boiling sea moss could be less beneficial than simply soaking it. By heating it to such a high temperature, you may potentially be killing off healthful nutrients that you wouldn’t be otherwise.
Should You Boil Sea Moss?
With all things considered, I’m going to say that it’s probably okay to boil sea moss.
There’s no definitive way we can prove the loss of nutrients from the boiling method. And remember, the boiling method is the traditional way that sea moss gel has been made for years.
Know that the possibility that nutrients will be lost using the boiling method are there, but they aren’t sure. Also know that by boiling your raw sea moss for a lesser amount of time, say 15 minutes versus an hour, can do wonders for retaining vitamins and minerals as well.
If you notice recipes that require you to place your sea moss in a pressure cooker or boil it in a slow cooker, you may have the wrong recipe. While it may seem easier in some cases, the truth is that the loss of the health benefits of sea moss are more likely to happen using these methods.
Instead, try sticking with boiling sea moss for 15 minutes to get the job done without depleting too much of your sea moss gel’s healthy benefits.
What Happens If You Boil Sea Moss?
Remember that boiling sea moss, especially for a long period of time, may affect its nutritional profile. The longer you boil it, the more likely you are to destroy nutrients.
Not familiar with the benefits of boiling sea moss? Allow us to inform you! The following are some of the most beneficial qualities concerning the use of sea moss and sea moss gel:
- Packed with antioxidants
- Great for the skin
- Contains Vitamin A and Vitamin C
- Contains Omega Fatty Acids
- Can help rid your body of excess mucus
- Contains 92 of 102 minerals that our bodies need to function properly
Boiling Sea Moss to Make Gel
Ingredients
- 1 oz Raw Dried Sea Moss (29 grams weighed)
- 1-2 cups distilled or spring water, not including water used for soaking and cleaning the sea moss
- Optional: Spirulina or other yummy and healthy additions you’d like to add to your sea moss
Instructions
- To begin, put your raw dried Irish sea moss in a bowl large enough to hold it all.
- Cover the sea moss with water. Massage the sea moss with your hands as this will help dislodge some of the stuck on debris.
- Continue this process and repeat. Continue until you have removed all visible dirt and particles from the sea moss. Note: These steps can be done with normal tap water. You aren’t required to use spring water during this phase.
- Place your rinsed sea moss in a (clean) large bowl and cover it with spring water. When covering your sea moss, make sure that there’s enough water so that all parts are submerged.
- Allow your sea moss to soak this way for 12-24 hours, depending on how much time you have, at room temperature.
- Once you’ve soaked your sea moss, it is time to begin boiling it.
- Strain your sea moss. Then add the sea moss to a saucepan along with water. The water should cover the sea moss entirely by about half an inch.
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat before reducing the heat. Allow the sea moss to gently simmer, stirring continuously.
- Once the sea moss begins to break down to your desired consistency, you can remove it from the heat. Small clumps are okay. This generally can take about 15 minutes, but it may take longer depending on the amount of sea moss you use.
- Drain your sea moss, reserving the leftover water. Place it in a heat-safe blender and cover it with the leftover water from the pot. Cover the sea moss until the water reaches a half inch over the sea moss (you may need to add extra spring water).
- Blend until smooth.
Optional: At this point, feel free to add spirulina powder or other additions that you see fit. Some people also like to use bladderwrack–the choice is yours! Blend again if adding these ingredients until well incorporated.
Store your sea moss in a mason jar with the lid off for about 30 minutes at room temperate or until slightly cooled.
Seal the jar and store the sea moss in the fridge for about 2-4 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months.
Use a couple of tablespoons of this in your coffee, tea, jam, soup, or whatever else your heart desires!
Boiling Temperature For Sea Moss
You’ll want your sea moss to come to a boil (212 degrees F). However, you don’t want to leave it that way for long.
As previously mentioned, it may be best to not boil your sea moss at all to reap its full benefits. However, because no major studies seem to indicate that boiled sea moss is void of nutrients, I think raising the temperature of your sea moss to boiling is likely perfectly okay. Just be sure not to overdo it.
Once your sea moss reaches the boiling point, reduce the heat to a simmer. You want the sea moss hot enough that it breaks down. But you also don’t want to boil it for so long that you kill the nutrients.
Remember that “low and slow” cooking methods aren’t ideal for sea moss. The longer you cook it, even at a low temperature, the more at risk you’re putting it for depleting its nutritional properties. Thus, it is best to bring the Irish moss and water up to a boil quickly. Afterwards, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for only 10-15 minutes or until the Irish sea moss begins to break down.
How Long Do You Boil Sea Moss For?
Remember to only boil your sea moss for 10-15 minutes tops. Boiling it too long may potentially cause it to lose nutritional benefits, although this has never been proven. Still, placing the sea moss in a crock pot or pressure cooker simply isn’t something I’d advise.
Rather, it’s far better to boil your sea moss quickly before removing it from the heat as it starts to break down. Blend the remaining contents in a blender as directed in the instructions above, and allow the boiled sea moss gel to cool before using it.
How to Use Boiled Sea Moss Gel
Whether you used soaked sea moss or boiled sea moss, it makes no difference if you don’t know how to use it! The following are some of the best ways to use boiled sea moss gel, some of which I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard of!
Use as a Thickening Agent
Believe it or not, boiled sea moss (also known as carrageen moss) can actually be used as a thickening agent. In fact, it is often referred to as “vegan gelatin” because of its thickening properties. This means it does well to add a bit of volume to anything requiring a thickener, including jellies and jams.
Add to Smoothies
As already mentioned, sea moss gel makes for a great thickener.
As such, it does well when incorporated into smoothies and other similar drinks. Because sea moss doesn’t taste very strong, the ingredients that you add to the smoothie often do well to conceal the taste of the sea moss completely. It can even prevent you from having to use yogurt if you are looking for smoothie options that are dairy free.
Another reason to add boiled sea moss to your smoothies? It’s packed with nutrition! Like most of the ingredients you add to smoothies, the sea moss itself will do much to bolster the nutritional value of this already healthy drink.
Remember that boiled sea moss contains antioxidants, zinc, iodine, Vitamins A and C, and so much more. Thus, it makes perfect sense to add boiled sea moss gel to your smoothies to make them that much more healthy!
Water Your Plants
Remember all of those healthy boiled sea moss nutrients I mentioned? Add a couple of tablespoons of it to your plant water and watch your plants flourish! Much like the banana water technique, sea moss water works just as well for nourishing plants, if not better. Give it a try and see what you think!
Put it on Your Face
You may not know this, but sea moss can be pretty amazing for your skin. To use it for this purpose, apply the gel directly to your skin 1-2 times a week just as you would a traditional mask. Rinse and observe the difference over time. Because sea moss is said to boost collagen, you may begin to notice your skin looking more healthy and plump. Sweet!
Try Traditional Jamaican Drinks
Some drinks, like the Jamaican Irish Moss drink, use sea moss as a star ingredient in this ridiculously delicious Jamaican beverage. Whip this up for yourself or your friends and allow them to experience a party on their taste buds. It even offers health benefits to boot!
Can You Boil Sea Moss? Yes, Absolutely!
Boiling sea moss is an easy way to make sea moss gel. You’ll reap the many advantages of using sea moss in your day-to-day life.
Remember that by using a sea moss boiling method, you run the risk of depleting some of the minerals in the sea moss. Because of this, it is important that you only heat the sea moss for as long as you have to. So, about 10-15 minutes.
Never try to “slow cook” your moss as this may kill more nutrients than you intended.
Hope this helps!
FAQ
How long to soak your sea moss?
Soak your sea moss for about 12-24 hours for best results.
Do you soak sea moss in hot or cold water?
When soaking your sea moss, try to only use cold water. This is likely to be the best for preserving minerals and nutrients.
Does boiling sea moss kill the nutrients?
Because there aren’t any current findings to suggest that sea moss loses its nutritional value through boiling, we cannot say for sure. What we do know is that most food tends to react poorly to heat when it comes to the retention of nutrients, especially when heated at high temperatures over long periods of time. For the best nutritional value, I recommend either cold soaking your sea moss.
Do you need to boil seamoss?
No, you don’t need to boil sea moss. You can simply cold soak it if you wish.
How much sea moss do you need to boil it?
One ounce or 29 grams is a good amount of sea moss to boil. You can also choose to boil more or less.
