Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus) Gel Recipe - Nourishing Gel for Skin, Hair, and Body
Looking for a versatile and natural ingredient to add to your daily diet or beauty routine? Irish Moss, also known as sea moss, is a nutrient-dense seaweed that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This versatile plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and skincare, and can also be added to a variety of dishes as a dietary additive. Learn how to make your own Irish Moss Gel with these three easy methods that can be used as an addition to your daily smoothie, a vegetarian thickener, or as a moisturizer for your skin and hair.
Author:Kara Ibarguen
Ingredients
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½ Cup of Whole leaf Irish Moss
Enough water to cover the moss, plus an additional 1 1/2 cups of water.
OR
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¼ Cup Irish Moss Powder
2 Cups Boiled and then slightly cooled water
Directions
For Whole Leaf Irish Moss Gel Method:
Fill a ½ cup measuring cup with Whole Leaf Irish Moss, pressing it tightly.
Put the moss in a medium-sized bowl and pour enough water to cover it.
Let the moss soak for a few minutes, then gently rub the tendrils and remove any dirt, shells, or other debris from the surface.
Pour out the water and refill the bowl with fresh water a couple of times, repeating the cleaning process.
To Blend the Gel (Raw Method: No Cooking Required):
When the moss looks clean, let it soak overnight at room temperature.
Drain the soaked moss using a strainer. Reserve soaking liquid if desired.
Add the drained moss to a blender and blend on high speed. While blending, gradually pour in enough of the soaking water to reach the desired thickness.
Once the mixture is smooth and creamy, transfer it to a jar with an airtight lid or an ice tray.
Your gel can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months
To Blend the Gel (Hot Water Method):
When the moss looks clean, cover it with water again and let it soak for at least an hour or overnight.
Drain the soaked moss using a strainer.
Bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil in a pot, then remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Add the moistened moss and hot water to a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
Pour the resulting gel into jars or silicone trays.
Cover the jars with cheesecloth or sprout lids and allow to cool completely in the refrigerator
To store the gel, use an airtight lid and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. Alternatively, freeze it in the trays for up to 3 months.
To Complete the gel using Irish Moss Powder
Simply whisk with warm/hot water or use a blender for one minute to develop the gel
Transfer the mixture to a storage container
Allow to cool before storing; Gel will harden as it cools and become quite thick and firm
Recipe Note
Don't let any of the Irish Moss goodness go to waste! The leftover soaking liquid can be used to moisturize your skin or hair.
Some folks like to add some fresh lemon or lime to the soaking water to balance the otherwise oceanic smell of Irish Moss. Discard the citrus before blending.
You can also use Irish Moss flakes instead, which only requires 1/4 cup. Rinse with cold water in a fine sieve first then follow the sames steps as above. If using the hot water method, add only 3/4 cup of hot water and let the flakes soak for 2-3 hours before blending.