DIY Sea Moss Gel: Is It the Right Option for You?
Also known as Irish moss, sea moss is a nutrient-packed marine superfood known for its potential wellness benefits. It contains 90+ minerals, such as iodine, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, making it a go-to option for many people seeking a natural means of managing their health and well-being.
Sea moss comes in many forms, and an increasing volume of Australians are trying their hand at DIY sea moss gel. For those happy to make an effort, making sea moss gel at home enables you to enjoy its benefits in skincare routines, recipes, and smoothies. Below, I outline the sea moss gel creation process so you can decide whether it’s worth the time (and mess)!
DIY Sea Moss Gel: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Before we begin, I would ask you to assemble the following:
- Raw dried sea moss
- Filtered water (spring water is a viable alternative)
- One large bowl
- A high-powered blender
- An airtight glass jar for storage
Place the dried sea moss in a large bowl and rinse thoroughly with filtered water. Massage the sea moss with your hands to remove any salt, dirt, sand, or other debris. It will probably take several attempts to ensure it’s totally clean. Many people find sand trapped in the crevices of the moss, so pay special attention to these areas. As you rinse, you’ll also notice a pungent ocean-like smell.
Next, submerge the sea moss in filtered water, making sure that it’s completely covered. Let it soak at room temperature for between 12 and 24 hours. After waiting long enough, you’ll notice that the sea moss has expanded significantly. It should now be soft, translucent, and gelatinous.
The soaking process is pivotal because it rehydrates the moss, making blending easier. If you see that the water is slimy, don’t panic! It’s an entirely normal part of the process.
Drain the moss and add it to a blender. Begin with a cup of filtered water and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If you want a thicker gel, add less water. Conversely, add more liquid if you want a thinner gel. I must warn you that blending sea moss is a messy process; the sticky texture will cling to the blender, so expect a problematic cleanup job!
Congratulations! You have homemade sea moss gel. Now, store it in an airtight container in your fridge. When stored properly, it should last 3 to 4 weeks.
Add a Fruity Twist
You can significantly improve the sea moss gel’s taste by creating a fruit-flavoured version. Clean and soak the sea moss as before, but this time, add a cup of fruit (mango, strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, or any other fruit you fancy). You should also consider including a tablespoon or two of honey for extra sweetness.
After blending the sea moss, add the fruit and honey, blend, and store in your glass jar. Since fruit spoils faster than sea moss, your fruity mixture should be consumed in 3 to 5 days. Of course, I should point out that sea moss gummies already taste great!
How Can I Tell If My Sea Moss Gel Has Gone Bad?
You must learn to determine whether your DIY sea moss gel is edible. Consuming spoiled gel can cause severe gastrointestinal discomfort, among other things. Here are some key indicators that it’s time to throw your gel away.
Sour Smell
Those who use fresh sea moss gel note its slight marine-like scent. By contrast, a spoiled gel is likely to have a sour, fermented, or otherwise unpleasant odour. If the smell becomes overpoweringly rancid, it’s a sign that the gel has gone bad.
Strange Texture or Visible Mould
If the gel becomes extremely watery or has a slimy texture, throw it away! Fresh gel has a smooth, jelly-like consistency.
Sometimes, you can clearly see mould on the gel. Watch for white, green, or black patches, which are signs of bacterial contamination. Mould can form quickly if you don’t properly seal the storage container.
Unpleasant Taste
This is often the most apparent sign of spoiled gel and is usually a taste test you would rather avoid. Still, if you’re not entirely sure, consume a tiny amount. Don’t swallow if the sharp, sour flavour makes you want to spit the gel out immediately. You should also spit the gel out immediately!
Always store your sea moss gel in an appropriately sealed sterilized glass jar. Place the gel in the coldest part of the fridge immediately after making it. Write the preparation date on the jar, and consider freezing it in silicone ice cube trays. You can use frozen sea moss gel for up to three months. However, I don’t advise freezing the fruit version, as it will likely have a grainy texture when you thaw it out.
Is DIY Sea Moss Gel Right for You?
For many people, the novelty of creating sea moss gel at home is worth trying at least once. However, most realise that the process is time-consuming and messy, with a lot of cleanup. Furthermore, the strong odor that emanates from the gel can linger in the kitchen and on utensils, and the resulting mixture has a short shelf life.
Therefore, while making DIY sea moss gel could prove an enriching experience at first, it probably isn’t a task you’ll want to complete more than once or twice. Homemade gel has a limited lifespan; if you don’t store it properly, you could easily end up with a spoiled product.
That’s where our Sea Moss Gummies come in. Each contains 100mg of high-quality sea moss, and you know precisely what’s in each gummy. This contrasts with homemade gel, where the sea moss content per serving is inconsistent. Our gummies are portable, have a long shelf life, and are ideal for busy individuals who want to enjoy sea moss’s nutrients without compromising taste or convenience.
