How To Store Sea Moss

Sea moss, also known as Irish Sea Moss or Chondrus Crispus is a algae or seaweed which is commonly found to grow on rocks alongside rocky coasts of the Atlantic and the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean islands such as St Lucia and Jamaica. It is a live culture and a superfood which is abundant in many vitamins and minerals which makes it a very delicate and perishable product, which requires extra care when storing it. On average, sea moss it will last between 3 to 4 weeks when placed in a cold environment and must be used up within this time frame. It must be kept in a fridge, ideally at the bottom shelf as hot air rises and cold air plummets. This part of your fridge is usually the coldest. The ideal temperature is between 2 degrees to 5 degrees. Anything 8 degrees and above will cause it to decompose and allow bacteria to grow, causing the sea moss to spoil.

You can also freeze sea moss. Freezing the superfood drastically increases its lifespan to 6 months. You can pour the gel or transfer the contents into a ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. This allows for super convenient, nutrient dense ice cubes that can be used in fruit smoothies, fruit juices, cold shakes and even glasses of water for when your in a rush but looking for that nutrient kick. This is especially useful for introducing sea moss to kids. To them, its just ice cubes that make their drink fresher and colder, but to parents it’s a way of getting vital nutrients and minerals to their ever growing kids! The sea moss cubes dissolve right into the water allowing for fuss free consumption.

Common Mistakes

• Overcrowded fridge
• Temperature not set to a cold enough setting
• Not closing or securing the lid between uses
• Using dirty spoons/double dipping spoons once entered the mouth area

Overcrowded Fridge

An overcrowded fridge is one of the biggest factors in making your sea moss spoil too quickly. There is nothing worse then buying a jar to then only have it growing mould inside it within a week. Most people will do a weekly shop and pack out their entire fridge, stacking the shelves with all sorts of every day condiments. This drastically affects the productivity and efficiency of your fridge as cold air will struggle to circulate around it. Make sure to space out your fridge and keep the delicate items such as sea moss at the bottom shelf where there is enough space for cold air to circulate.

Temperature Not Set Correctly

Every fridge has a temperature gauge and most people do not realise that they’re fridge can operate at a much colder temperature just by turning it up a notch. Most fridges have a 1-5 or a 1-7 gauge. The higher the number the more refrigerant will be used, thus making it colder. A cold setting is recommended in order to store your sea moss correctly. This will slow down the rate at which bacteria can grow allowing it to last longer. Remember, too cold is not always the best! Find a temperature that works for you as everyone has different items in the fridge which require different ideal temperatures.

Secure That Lid!

All of our sea moss jars are vacuum sealed for a reason. We do this because air is another major contributor to spoiled sea moss. Bacteria travels through air and the more that its exposed to it, the more likely it is to lose its freshness. This is why we vacuum seal our jars prior to sending them off in the post. It allows the sea moss to not be affected during transit whilst also keeping it fresh for our customers. When you receive your sea moss, make sure to fasten the lid securely after use. Do not leave the lid off for any longer then required. Taking too much time between uses and allowing too much air to enter the jar will affect its freshness so remember to do this as quickly as possible.

Double Dipping Spoons

A recommended dose for consuming sea moss is between 1-2 tablespoons. Most people take two as this is the most effective dose for the average person. Unfortunately, a common mistake is dipping the spoon back into the jar to go for that second dose after its just entered your mouth. Saliva from the used spoon and the delicate nature of sea moss is a breeding ground for bacteria to form. Almost instantly this will spoil the sea moss as our saliva contains many different forms of bacteria. It wont be long before you return to your sea moss to see that there’s mould spots and a odd smell coming from it! A recommended way to do this is to have two different spoons at hand. One for your first dose, and the other for the second. Make sure both spoons have been cleaned beforehand. A simple but effective method to get the most out of your sea moss.

Conclusion

Sea moss is delicate, just as delicate as you and when you store this superfood correctly and treat it with the respect it deserves, then it will nourish you and your family in ways that you will only be thankful for. Take care when consuming sea moss and know that it is an entire biodiverse ecosystem within itself. Unlock the true potential of superfoods and start your sea moss journey now.