Description
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make your own sea moss gel at home:
- 1/2 cup dried sea moss (about 2 oz/56g)
- 3 cups filtered water (plus extra for soaking)
- 1 lime (optional, for cleaning)
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 vanilla bean (optional, for subtle flavor)
Instructions
Start by placing your dried sea moss in a large bowl and covering it with filtered water. The sea moss will likely have some salt and possibly small debris from the ocean, so this initial rinse is important.
Gently massage and work through the sea moss with your fingers, removing any visible debris, small shells, or sand. If you’d like, you can squeeze half a lime into the water – the citric acid helps to clean the sea moss naturally.
Drain this first rinse water and repeat the process once more until the water runs clear. This usually takes 2-3 rinses.
Tip: Don’t worry about the color of your sea moss. It can range from golden to purple to dark brown – all are natural variations and equally nutritious!
After cleaning, place your sea moss in a clean bowl and cover it with 3 cups of filtered water. The sea moss will expand quite a bit during soaking, so make sure you use a bowl that’s large enough.
Allow the sea moss to soak for 12-24 hours at room temperature. I usually prepare mine in the evening and let it soak overnight, so it’s ready to blend the next day. During this time, you’ll notice the sea moss expanding and becoming gelatinous as it absorbs the water.
Tip: If you live in a very warm climate, you can soak the sea moss in the refrigerator to prevent any fermentation.
After soaking, your sea moss will have transformed dramatically – expanding to several times its original size and becoming soft and gel-like. Drain out most of the soaking water, but reserve it in a measuring cup.
Add the sea moss to your blender along with 1 cup of the reserved soaking water. This soaking water contains minerals that have leached out of the sea moss, so it’s beneficial to use it.
If you’d like to add some subtle flavor, this is the time to add a cinnamon stick or split vanilla bean to the blender. These flavors work well when you plan to use the gel in sweet recipes like smoothies or oatmeal.
Secure the lid on your blender and start blending on low speed, gradually increasing to high. Blend for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth with no remaining chunks.
If the mixture is too thick and having trouble blending, add a little more of the reserved soaking water, a tablespoon at a time, until the blender can process it smoothly.
The consistency you’re aiming for is similar to a thick smoothie at this stage – it will set up more firmly in the refrigerator.
Tip: If you don’t have a high-powered blender, you might need to stop occasionally to scrape down the sides and give your blender a rest if it starts to overheat.
Pour your freshly blended sea moss gel into a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Mason jars work perfectly for this. Make sure to use a rubber spatula to get every last bit of goodness out of the blender.
Place the jar in the refrigerator and allow the gel to set for 2-3 hours. The gel will thicken significantly during this time, reaching a consistency similar to thick jelly or pudding.
Once set, your sea moss gel is ready to use! A typical serving size is 1-2 tablespoons per day.
Looking for something warming to complement your health routine? My lemon balm tea recipe makes a perfect pairing with sea moss-enhanced smoothies!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Superfood Preparation
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 5 per tablespoon
Keywords: sea moss gel recipe, homemade sea moss gel, irish moss gel, vegan gelatin alternative, how to make sea moss gel