Sea moss is a type of red algae which grows abundantly along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. In its natural state it varies in color from a greenish-yellow, through red, to a dark purple or purplish-brown. Sea moss consists of nearly 10% dry weight protein and about 15% dry weight mineral matter, and is rich in iodine and sulfur. When softened in water it has a sea-like odour and because of the abundant cell wall polysaccharides it will form a jelly when boiled or blended, containing from 20 to 100 times its weight of water.