How To Identify Real Vs. Fake Sea Moss | 3 Easy Tips

Wait, there’s fake sea moss? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is ‘yes’. Fake sea moss exists and there are still people unknowingly purchasing and consuming it.

It’s important to be able to tell the difference between what is natural and what is manufactured so you can make sure you are consuming clean, safe sea moss gel that is packed with all of its natural nutrients and medicinal properties. This article will arm you with three tips to help spot fake sea moss right away.  

What Is Fake Sea Moss?

Fake sea moss is essentially moss that has been processed or ‘artificially cultivated’. This type of moss is grown in brine pools, and because it has been taken completely out of its natural habitat aka the ocean, it does not contain the same nutrient density as wild moss.

Because these sea moss farms cannot adequately replicate the natural habitat, they add outside chemicals such as fertilizers, mineral-dense substrates, and salt. This, along with the sheer lack of organic nutrients, is why farmed sea moss can potentially be harmful and unsafe and should be avoided altogether.

The producers of pool grown sea moss do their best to mimic the natural, oceanwater habitat of real moss by making waves in the pools and adding chemicals, but luckily for us, it’s nearly impossible to replicate the movements of the ocean, let alone match its salt content, sun exposure, and natural food sources for the plant. This leaves farmed sea moss with several incriminating differences that expose their in-authenticity as long as you know what to look for.

What Is Real Sea Moss?

Real sea moss is natural, wild grown moss harvested straight from the rocks on the shores of Ireland, the coast of Europe, or the cold water of the Atlantic coasts of Canada. This wildcrafted sea moss, also known as Chondrus Crispus, is just that – wild! With zero human intervention, this plant becomes the nutrient rich seaweed that contains 92 of the 102 minerals the human body needs.

All of the nutrients of wildcrafted sea moss are naturally derived from its underwater oceanic habitat which simply cannot be replicated. No matter the amount of chemicals or additives thrown into the brine pools of a sea moss farm, fake sea moss will never be able to match what nature produces so perfectly on its own.

3 Tips To Identify Real Vs. Fake Sea Moss

When trying to distinguish between real and fake sea moss, there are three attributes you should take a closer look at: the color, the stems, and the taste.

Tip 1: Check The Color

Examining the color of the sea moss you receive can be an instant indicator of whether yours is real or fake.

Wild sea moss is darker in color, and the colors vary. Natural grown moss will be white, greenish-yellow, and can have golden, reddish, or purple undertones.

Fake sea moss tends to be yellow and lacks any variance in color.

Pro Tip: If you are soaking your sea moss and notice the color change significantly, it is most likely fake and has been dyed to mimic the color of real sea moss.

Tip 2: Examine The Stems

The second most obvious indicator of sea moss’s authenticity is what the stem looks like.

The stems of wild sea moss will be super thin in size, its branches will be tangled and disorganized with no real pattern, there may be a small salt residue, and will feel dry in texture. These stems will expand up to 3 times their size after the soaking process is completed.

Fake sea moss will have thick stems covered in a thick layer of salt and will feel wet and slippery. Because it is grown artificially, the stems will all be the same size and can resemble spaghetti noodles. Farmed sea moss does not expand in size after the soaking process.   

Tip 3: Taste Test

The third characteristic that can help you determine if your sea moss is real of fake is the taste.

Real sea moss has an underwater, ocean/fish-like taste (similar to clams or oysters).  Whereas pool-grown moss will taste and smell more like synthetic chemicals.

Wildcrafted sea moss is also significantly less salty compared to pool grown moss.

How To Find Real Sea Moss?

The easiest way to find real, wildcrafted sea moss is to, you guessed it… Do your research! Find out all the information you can about the company you’re planning to purchase from. Make sure you know where the sea moss is grown and how it is harvested. Read reviews and check out their photos online.

Consider purchasing from a reputable brand that has their sea moss third party tested and that has certifications for where it is grown and harvested.

Regardless, once you make your purchase, double check the product by examining the color, stems, and taste of what you received to ensure safety and authenticity.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, fake sea moss exists and is more available than one would think. Knowing the differences between real and fake sea moss is crucial to reaping all the nutrients and benefits of real moss.  

Pool grown sea moss has little to no nutrient content compared to authentic wild sea moss. It is important to do your due diligence in researching vendors to makes sure you are getting a real and safe product.

Bottom line, be careful out there! Sea Moss is a wonderful supplement with many benefits to offer when you are consuming the real deal.

Medical Disclaimer

Please speak with your doctor or other licensed healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement including Irish Sea Moss. None of the content on this site is or should be considered medical advice. The purpose of this article is simply to highlight relevant research for those curious about the potential benefits of consuming Irish Sea Moss.