Iceland moss (Irish moss) and knotted wrack – Icelandic ingredients from the sea

Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus) and Knotted Wrack – Icelandic marine ingredients

Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), also known as sea moss, is a red alga that grows in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, including off the coast of Iceland. Irish Moss has a long history as food for us Icelanders and has attracted increased attention in recent years due to its diverse nutritional composition.

Nutrients and minerals

Irish Moss is naturally rich in various minerals. In a study comparing the nutritional composition of three types of seaweed, Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus) was found to be the richest in calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc. It was also found to be rich in both essential and other amino acids, including alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine.

Combining two Icelandic seaweeds

At Ingling, we combine Irish Moss with Icelandic Knotted Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) from Breiðafjörður. Knotted Wrack is naturally rich in iodine, an essential trace element that contributes to normal thyroid function, normal production of thyroid hormones, and normal energy-yielding metabolism.

By blending Irish Moss and Knotted Wrack, we unite two nutrient-rich marine ingredients with different and varied natural compositions.

Origin and quality of ingredients

The origin of our ingredients is very important to us. The Knotted Wrack we use is harvested from Breiðafjörður, and we gather the Irish Moss ourselves along the Icelandic coast. We have also sent the raw materials for analysis to get a better overview of their content and quality. It is important to us to know where our ingredients come from, what they contain, and how they are handled.

Irish Moss and Knotted Wrack in our products

Irish Moss and Knotted Wrack can be found in products from Ingling, including Gyðja – Lífskraftur, where these Icelandic marine ingredients are part of a larger, targeted formula. For those who specifically want Irish Moss and Knotted Wrack, we also offer the blend as a separate product.

For us, it is about utilizing what Icelandic nature has to offer and combining origin, quality, and knowledge of the ingredients in products produced here in Iceland.

Two types of Icelandic seaweed – combined in one targeted blend.

Reference

¹ Čmiková, N. et al. (2024). Seaweed Nutritional Value and Bioactive Properties: Insights from Ascophyllum nodosum, Palmaria palmata, and Chondrus crispus. Life, 14(11), 1522. PMID: 39598320.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39598320/