Irish Moss
Irish Moss – Chondrus Crispus – colour can vary predominantly black/dark chocolate brown but also reds and whitesFalse Irish Moss – Mastocarpus stellatus – Rarely varies from black/dark chocolate brown
Goes slush green when cooked
Season– available most of the year especially good Autumn
Can most often be found in the mid to lower inter-tidal. Grows up to 5cm – 15cm found in small clumps with obvious branching of fronds. Distinctive channelling of tips. Females often have lots of small bumps or nipples.
Chondrus crispus (Irish moss). The main features separating the two species being the channelled frond and appearance of reproductive bodies on mature plants.
Tips:
- Will last in fridge straight from sea for 5 days and longer
- Rinse well before using
- Dries well in small batches in mesh bags left with good airflow
- Can be used fresh or dried. Double quantities when using fresh
- Used as a thickener and stabilising age
Irish moss drink
8-10g dry Irish Moss
1 litre of water
Lemon
Honey
Rinse the Irish Moss and remove any shells or Bryozoa
Place in a pan with the water and allow to soak for 10 minutes.
Bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a sieve.
Add lemon and honey to taste and drink while warm.
Personally I generally use foraged Blackberry, Elder or Rosehip syrup instead of lemon and honey
Storing your catch
With a little planning and luck you can dry enough seaweed at home to keep a constant supply handy. Seaweed when dry will keep indefinitely if stored in a dry cool dark place.
I suggest eating a quantity fresh and always reserving a little each time to dry.
Air drying is the best and dehydrators are great. Small amounts can be dried in the oven on very low heat with the door slightly ajar for air flow. A warm day with a gentle constant breeze is the best for outside on racks or the clothes-line alternatively a little drying rack or line above a radiator inside will work too.
Smaller varieties can be successfully dried in mesh bags in small quantities.