Gold vs Purple vs Green Sea Moss: What Is the Actual Difference?

If you have ever researched sea moss, you have probably seen several colors: gold, purple, green and sometimes multi-color blends. It can be confusing to know what those colors really mean and whether one is better than another.

At Red’s Kitchen Sink, we harvest wildcrafted sea moss, which is naturally variety of colors and shades in the ocean. This guide explains what the different colors represent, how they are created in nature, and how to choose the one that has the best fit for your preferences and routine.

What All Sea Moss Colors Have In Common

Before we focus on differences, it helps to understand what the colors have in common. Gold, purple and green sea moss all can be the same marine algae species. They are all harvested in their whole, raw state. Their base qualities are all similar:

• They are all ocean grown, sea vegetables. 
• They are all mineral and nutrient rich plants.
• They are all dried and shelf stable when kept dry and away from moisture.
• They can all be turned into gel once properly cleaned, soaked and blended.
• They can all be used in smoothies, drinks, recipes and topical creations.

The main difference you will notice between the colors are the flavor and aroma of the final gel.  Gold will have more of a neutral to slight ocean bland taste and the purple/green varieties have more of a stronger ocean smell/taste.

How Sea Moss develops it Color

Sea moss color is naturally influenced by several factors:

• Plant pigments: Sea moss contains chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins. The mix of these pigments affects whether it looks more beige, purple or green.
• Depth and light exposure: Sunlight, shade, and water depth naturally shift the plant’s color.
• Drying method: How sea moss is dried after it's harvested strongly influences its final color/shade.
• Habitat variation: Different harvesting areas can produce slightly different tones.

How Sea Moss Gets its final Color – The Truth Behind Gold, Purple, and Green

Many people assume each color of sea moss comes from a different species. In reality, color varies within a species based on how the plant grows and how it's dried after harvest. Here’s what actually happens:

Gold Sea Moss: Sunlight Creates the “Bleached” Golden Shade

In the ocean, sea moss naturally grows in a variety of colors. Even moss that eventually becomes “gold” may start as purple, green or other natural shades.

Once harvested and laid in the sun, the sun’s intensity acts like a natural bleaching effect, causing pigments to fade and producing the final golden or beige tones people recognize as “gold sea moss.”

The actual final shade depends on:

• Length of sun exposure (more sun = lighter gold)
• Intensity of heat and light (can make it more of a darker gold)
• Original pigment levels in the moss

This is why you’ll see gold sea moss ranging from very pale beige to rich golden hues.

Purple and Green Sea Moss: Naturally Colored, Shade or Moon Dried

Purple and green sea moss actually grow in those colors in the ocean. To keep their natural pigmentation, they must be:

• Dried in the shade
• Dried indoors
• Dried by moonlight or low light conditions

Sunlight will bleach purple and green sea moss just like gold. This is why purple and green moss is shade dried to protect the anthocyanins (purple) and chlorophyll (green).

Why Colored Sea Moss Sometimes “Bleeds” During Soaking

One of the biggest misconceptions online is that if purple or green sea moss releases color when soaked, it must be dyed. In reality, this color shift is a natural pH reaction.

Ocean water has a higher pH than spring or distilled water. When sea moss is soaked at home, the pigments respond:

• Purple sea moss: Anthocyanins bleed slightly when pH changes.
• Green sea moss: Chlorophyll is sensitive to pH shifts as well.

Pro tip: To reduce/eliminate color bleeding, soak your sea moss in alkaline water or add a small amount of baking soda or freshly squeezed lemon to balance the water’s pH (sea water is naturally alkaline). This will help mimic the natural pH it has so it will then better retain its color. The better you match the ocean's pH it was harvested in the more color it will retain. 

This bleeding is not dye, it's simply plant pigments reacting naturally which also happens with many colored vegetables like beets and purple cabbage.

Gold Sea Moss

How Gold Sea Moss Looks and Tastes

Gold sea moss is beige to golden when dried. Once blended, the gel appears off-white to pale gold or even a darker brown. This is all normal and not indicative of anything wrong when the shade varies from batch to batch.

Flavor and aroma: Mild and approachable. Gold is typically has the least ocean taste making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Best Uses and Who It Suits

• Beginners or anyone sensitive to taste.
• People blending sea moss into smoothies or recipes with delicate flavors.
• Families sharing one batch.
• Anyone wanting a highly versatile option.

Purple Sea Moss

How Purple Sea Moss Looks and Tastes

Purple sea moss ranges from plum to deep burgundy. When blended, the gel becomes beige or taupe with subtle undertones.

Flavor and aroma: More pronounced and ocean-forward compared to gold.

Best Uses and Who It Suits

• Intermediate or experienced sea moss users.
• People who already enjoy ocean flavors.
• Users blending sea moss with fruits, herbs or spices.

Green Sea Moss

How Green Sea Moss Looks and Tastes

Green sea moss appears olive or bright green due to natural chlorophyll. When blended, gels range from greenish-tan to neutral beige.

Flavor and aroma: Fresh and ocean-forward. Similar strength to purple.

Best Uses and Who It Suits

• Sea moss users who prefer bold, natural ocean flavors.
• People who make green smoothies or vegetable-based blends.
• Those who enjoy rotating varieties.

Multicolor Sea Moss Blends

Multicolor blends bring all natural shades together: gold, purple and green. They offer visual variety while creating a neutral-toned gel when mixed.

Who they suit:

• People who want a mix of several natural color varieties.
• Those who enjoy visually interesting raw sea moss.
• Users who want to rotate without committing to one color.

Gold vs Purple vs Green: Taste and Beginner Friendliness

If you're new to sea moss, taste and aroma will guide your choice:

• Gold Sea Moss: Mild, neutral, beginner friendly.
• Purple Sea Moss: Richer, deeper, stronger ocean notes.
• Green Sea Moss: Fresh, marine, great in green smoothies.

Most beginners start with gold. More experienced users often branch out into purple or green for variety.

Myths and Misunderstandings About Sea Moss Color

• Myth: One color is always better. All natural colors can be high quality depending on harvest and drying, not color alone.
• Myth: Color proves whether sea moss is real or fake. Quality depends on thickness, texture, origin and re-hydration behavior.
• Myth: Color bleeding means dye. Natural pigments react to water pH. This is normal and expected.

How To Choose The Right Sea Moss Color For You

Ask yourself:

• How sensitive am I to taste? Choose gold if very sensitive.
• How will I use it? Gold for neutral blends; purple and green for fruit or veggie recipes.
• Do I like variety? Rotate or choose multi-color blends.

Final Thoughts

Gold, purple and green sea moss all come from the same world of naturally pigmented ocean plants. Their colors are shaped by nature, sunlight, shade and drying method, not by a ranking of good, better and best. From a benefit standpoint they are all mineral and nutrient rich and share the same base profile. Purple moss will have an added benefit of the anthocyanins it contains and Green moss will have chlorophyll as an added benefit. 

If you're new, gold seamoss offers a gentle introduction and is the most popular variety. If you want a deeper profile, purple or green are natural next steps. If you want a mix of all three you should try a multi-color/full spectrum blend. When you're ready, explore all varieties on the Red’s Kitchen Sink Sea Moss Marketplace.