Irish moss
Irish Moss, or Carrageen, a seaweed found abundantly off the rocky Irish coast near Carrageen, and off eastern North America. The plant's color varies from greenish to dark purple. The thick, tough stem, called a frond, branches in the shape of a fan. Irish moss is prepared for market by washing, drying, and bleaching in the sun. It dissolves when boiled, forming a jelly-like substance (called carrageenin). It is used as an emulsifying agent in such food products as chocolate milk and in the manufacture of drugs, soaps, cosmetics, leather dressings, and cloth sizes (glazes).
Irish moss is Chondrus crispus of the red algae family, Gigartinaceae.