In the Caribbean we have the benefit of many beaches to enjoy, and a delightful drink call Sea Moss drink. Whenever I go to the beach I always find that the food purchased at the beach always taste more scrumptious. The fish is always larger and fresher, not to mention tastier. If you have ever eaten bake and shark at Maracas Bay or a white fish fillet in Toco, you know what I mean. That is why I always make sure to buy some fish before I leave for home from the beach. However, fishermen will not allow you to just buy fish, they will also encourage you to buy some sea moss.
Men in Trinidad are not bashful to claim how much an elixir and aphrodisiac the sea moss drink is. It is believed to be an excellent reviver and energizer or as we say in Trini “it good for de back”. This maybe true but, you know how people are; they will tell you anything to sell their sea moss. For those of you who don't know sea moss is a type of sea weed that's dried and sold at the market etc. we present the picture below of how it looks.
Now, sea moss is considered a vegetable, a type of algae, that is harvested from the sea and used mainly in drinks in the Caribbean. Though it can also be used as a thickener in in commercial foods. It is a good source of iron; has some protein, and it is full of antioxidants, a compound that helps protect cells from oxidative stress. Sea moss also has a lot of potential benefits, among them are: support for good gut health, immunity, thyroid health, and can aid in weight loss (it is low in calories). Now, for this drink if you are trying to lose weight, you can remove the sweetener altogether or substitute it with honey.
Sea Moss Recipe
This recipe calls for regular milk, however, you can substitute the milk with almond milk and vanilla extract. You can then sweetened the drink as you like.
SEA MOSS DRINK
Ingredients:
1 pound sea moss
2 limes
water
1 tin condensed milk
2 teaspoons Angostura bitters
sugar to taste
1 pack ( 250ml) evaporated milk
1 stick of cinnamon
Direction:
Clean the sea moss before it is soaked. (The roots of the sea moss may have bits of debris from where it held onto).
Soak the sea moss with lime juice overnight. Soaking eliminates the fresh scent of the sea moss.
Wash and boil with the cinnamon until it becomes jelly like.
Remove the cinnamon then blend and strain the mixture. Leave to cool. (Notice how it gets like gelatin when it cools). Use about half of the cooled mixture. (The rest can be refrigerated or frozen to make more later). Place in a blender and add milk (condensed and evaporated). Blend until it becomes smooth and lose.
Add bitters and sugar to taste. Mix well and serve with ice.
Well, that's it for this post. This is a delicious drink you must try…I believe I still have some in the fridge. I think I'm going to pour me a glass right now… Good bye until next time and cheers!
Some More Caribbean Drink Recipes
Click here for printable recipe.
Well, this is something we can’t find in Greece but the qualities of sea weed is known. It looks good and I haven’t seen ancostura being used for ages. I used to put it in brandy sour.
http://kopiaste.org/2008/04/lemon-squash-lemonada-brandy-sour/
Ivy, you find can Angostura Bitters at any Thanopoulos supermarket in the Northern Suburbs of Athens.
Born and bred in Trinidad,Agostura bitters is a mainstay in my kitchen. I thought it was available everywhere.
It’s not where I live …gotta get it when family comes into the states from trini
Is seamoss considered a blood builder?
I’m not sure of the seamoss but to my knowledge, beet is more considered a blood builder.
I bought some sea moss while visiting Barbados, I will be making it this week-end, Loved your recipe did not soak mine with lime found your recipe late, great point with the lime next time I will add the lime. I drank seamoss as a Child growing up in Dominica and Antigua, I am always happy when I travel to the Caribbean and find it. Found these at the Farmers market in Barbados. Thanks for sharing
I believe anyone growing up in the Caribbean would have drunk sea moss at some time. This too was a regular drink at home especially when someone brought it from the North Coast like Maracas Bay or Toco…Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I got a whole lot of seaweed in Some back road in Toco about a week ago and tonight I’m making up a batch of some of that good stuff.
I absolutely LOVE this drink! If I could get it in Toronto, this is all I will drink!
I have a question .where can I buy seamoss in the usa atleast order it.if anyone has any good answers please respond.thks
Should get it in any West Indian green grocer. May be only Jamaican version, but moss is moss!
can you please post a recipe for beet root punch please thank you
hi you can find seamoss at any chinese store
If you are in NY you can get seamoss @ Labay Market 1127 Nostrand ave Brooklyn NY, they stock good West Indian fruits and vegetables the best breadfruit anywhere! and they’re West Indian owned (support our own!)
Very good recipe. I had to go all the way to Orlando (from Tampa Bay) to grab some. Had an excellent time at the 2014 Orlando Caribbean Carnival, but an even better time finding all of my TrinBago delicaciies in the area.
Trying to locate Sea Moss in Scarborough, Ontario. Canada
How much water is used for boiling the sea moss? I find mine coming out too watery advance not jelly like you described.
How much water did you use Cherry?