Jamaican Purple Sea Moss vs. Irish Sea Moss: Key Differences

There are many different types of sea moss that are available for consumption, but new consumers may find it difficult to know which one is the right kind of sea moss for them. This article will offer a look into the key differences between Jamaican purple sea moss and Irish sea moss, two of the most popular types of sea moss on the market.

Uses

Although these two types of sea moss seem very similar at a glance, people use them in very different ways. The main difference is that Irish sea moss is harder to get than Jamaican sea moss. So, a lot of the products that use sea moss as an ingredient use Jamaican sea moss instead of Irish sea moss.

Smell

These two sea mosses don’t come from the same species, so they have different genetic makeups. This means that they taste and smell very different, which is something you need to plan for. Namely, Jamaican sea moss has a mild smell in comparison to the Irish sea moss. The scent you prefer is entirely up to you, but it is something you should be aware of.

Growth Period

The reason for the scarcity of Irish sea moss (and its resulting increased price) is its growth period. Irish sea moss only grows for a short period throughout the year, limiting how much people can harvest. Jamaican purple sea moss doesn’t have a growth period and can grow all year long, meaning you can get it whenever you want.

Pool-Grown

Unfortunately, one of the biggest downsides to Jamaican purple sea moss also comes from its year-round growth. Because it’s so easy to grow, many companies sell pool-grown sea moss. Pool-grown sea moss lacks a lot of the nutrients and flavor of wildcrafted sea moss. Luckily, you can still find organic purple sea moss online for purchase without issue.

These are the key differences between Jamaican purple sea moss and Irish sea moss that concern most consumers. Some other differences include the processing procedures and location of growth. For example, Irish sea moss is grown mainly on north Atlantic coastlines. But the most important thing to remember regarding sea moss is to buy from reputable sources, as many companies sell misidentified products.