Gold vs. Purple Sea Moss: What's the Difference?
It's one of the questions we get most: should I buy gold or purple sea moss? The short answer is that both are wildcrafted sea vegetables with naturally occurring minerals, and both make a great gel. The differences come down to color, taste and the natural plant pigments each one carries.
Why are they different colors?
Sea moss gets its color from natural pigments in the plant, plus how much sun it gets while growing and drying. Gold sea moss is lighter, from cream to golden. Purple sea moss holds on to more of its deep red-purple pigments.
Those darker pigments are part of why purple sea moss is known for its antioxidant content. Antioxidants help your body handle oxidative stress.*
Side by side
| Gold sea moss | Purple sea moss | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Cream to golden | Deep purple to red |
| Taste | Mild, easy to hide in smoothies | A bit stronger, more “ocean” |
| Gel color | Light, off-white | Light purple to mauve |
| Naturally contains | Iodine, calcium, potassium, iron and trace minerals | Iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium and antioxidant pigments |
| Best for | First-timers and everyday gel | People who want extra antioxidants* |
Which one should you choose?
- New to sea moss? Start with gold. It's the mildest, and the gel blends into almost anything.
- Want more antioxidants? Go with purple.*
- Can't decide? Mix them. Soak and blend half gold and half purple for a gel that has a bit of both.
Do they get made into gel the same way?
Yes. Rinse well, soak 12 to 24 hours, rinse again, then blend with fresh water. Our step-by-step guide covers the exact amounts: How to make sea moss gel at home.
Where ours comes from
Our sea moss is wildcrafted in St. Lucia, meaning it grows naturally in the ocean instead of in pools. It's hand-harvested, then sun-dried on drying beds before it's packed.
Whichever color you pick, consistency matters more than color. A spoonful every day does more than a big serving once in a while.
Sea moss naturally contains iodine. Talk with your doctor before adding it to your routine if you are pregnant, nursing, have a thyroid condition or take medication.
