Sea Vegetable

Frond

Irish moss frond is the cartilaginous red seaweed Chondrus crispus (and related species) sold dried or fresh for food and gel extraction. Fronds are fan-branched, stiff when dry, and soften in soak water to a slippery, mineral-tasting leaf. Caribbean “Irish moss” drinks and traditional European blancmange both start from whole fronds simmered to release carrageenan. Rinse well to remove sand and shell grit, soak until pliable, then simmer and strain for a gel base, or chop for soups and smoothies where the marine flavour is wanted. Quality varies with harvest and sun-drying; pale, clean fronds without heavy sand are preferred.

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Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

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Bleached Culinary

Flake

Whole Dried

Characteristics

Preparations

CookedFreshPrepared

Traits

Culinary PartVersatile

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 32.3

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 0.52 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.19 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 921 mg
Salt 2.68 g
Total Carbohydrate 6.19 g
Dietary Fibre 4.8 g
Total Sugars 0.47 g
Complex / starch 0.49 g
Protein 4.04 g
Water 84.2 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 32.3 kcal
Water 84.2 g
Carbohydrates 6.19 g
- Sugars 0.47 g
- Starch 0.49 g
- Fibre 4.8 g
Protein 4.04 g
Fat 0.52 g
- Saturated Fat 0.1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.19 g
  - Omega-3 0.02 g
Vitamins 85 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.19 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.96 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.29 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 1.9 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 46.2 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.45 mg
- Vitamin K 17.9 µg
Minerals 1203 mg
- Major Minerals 1201 mg
  - Calcium 50 mg
  - Sodium 921 mg
  - Potassium 230 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
  - Iron 1.5 mg
Salt 2.68 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.05 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.19 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.96 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.29 · vitamin-b6: 0.05 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 1.9 · vitamin-b9-folate: 46.2 · vitamin-e: 0.45 · vitamin-k: 17.9 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 921.28 · Potassium: 230 · Calcium: 50 · Iron: 1.5 ·

Seaweed fronds are mineral- and fibre-rich with species-dependent iodine.

History

1800

Frond was separated in markets and kitchens as cooks specialised prep by plant or animal part.

1950

Retail packing made frond a familiar labelled form for home cooks.