What are the different colors of Sea moss?

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The main colors of sea moss include gold, purple, and green. The purple variety (Chondrus crispus) is often called “red” as well. This is a common variety often found in warmer waters. Gold sea moss (Genus gracilaria) is another common species. Green sea moss is a less common Chondrus species thought to grow in more shallow waters.  

These three shades of sea moss come in a spectrum of colors.  For example, the purple sea moss may look redder in hue and the gold sea moss may appear more yellow at times. 

The green sea moss may look brown depending on different conditions. 

Just like our fruit and vegetables, sea moss is different colors because of different compounds in the plants.  It is worth noting that colors may depend on other factors such as the region, growing conditions, and drying process.   

Gold sea moss gets its color from phytonutrients.  These phytonutrients are an important compound in gold sea moss and have been studied for their role in cellular communication. 

Gold sea moss is a common variety and looks a bit different in structure than some other types of sea moss.  It is often thinner and stringier than some other colors.  

Gold sea moss is usually more readily available than some of the other varieties.  This is because it grows year round. 

Due to its availability, golden sea moss is sometimes more affordable than other colors. Gold sea moss may have a milder smell and taste than some of the darker colors.

Green sea moss gets its color from flavonoids called anthocyanins and chlorophyll. The chlorophyll and flavonoids in green sea moss help to detoxify the liver, as well as increase hemoglobin in the blood.  

Green sea moss is often wild harvested along the coasts of the Caribbean. This type of sea moss often has a stronger smell (it smells like the ocean) and taste when compared to other colors. 

However, the stronger smell may also be due to the fact that in order to get the colors to stay vivid, this sea moss is not rinsed off as thoroughly as gold. Additionally, it is more carefully dried to retain the bold color. 

Purple sea moss, sometimes called “Jamaican purple sea moss” or “Irish sea moss,” gets its rich color due to the presence of antioxidants in the plant.  Antioxidants are an important phytonutrient for eliminating free radicals in the body that could lead to issues.  

One interesting factor concerning purple sea moss varieties is that they are more difficult to grow. This is because this species generally grows on rocks and is found during the summer months.

It is hard to duplicate this growing process, which is a big reason why this plant is rarer than gold sea moss varieties. The good thing is that you won’t have to worry about whether or not your purple sea moss was farmed in a pool.  

There are several differences between green, purple, and gold sea moss. These include levels of antioxidants, chlorophyll, and other phytonutrients responsible for giving the plants their unique hue. Other differences include the region they are found, the conditions in which they grow, and the way they are harvested/processed.

Purple Sea Moss has a higher antioxidant content than other colors. They are also harder to farm, so most of the purple and red sea mosses you can buy are wildcrafted. Wildcrafting a plant means it is harvested in the wild.  Purple sea moss is often collected along the coasts and tide pools where it grows on rocks.  

Gold Sea Moss is easier to come by than other colors.  This is because this variety grows year round.  The drawback to this is that it may be easier to grow this color of sea moss in pools, upping your chances of buying sea moss that lacks the nutrients of wild sea moss. Gold sea moss can sometimes have other hues in it, ranging from darker brown to purple.  The fact that it can take on other shades means it may be hard to distinguish which species you have.  

Green Sea Moss is higher in chlorophyll, a pigment found in most green plants that help them make food using carbon dioxide and water. 

This plant nutrient is popular in the health world because it is thought to be a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and cleanse the blood. 

Darker varieties like the green and purple sea mosses are often harvested and dried in a way that preserves the bold colors. This means they are not washed or soaked too much and they are not dried in the sun.