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You've probably eaten some Chondrus Crispus without even knowing it. It's Irish Moss, grows in profusion underwater along the rocky Atlantic coasts of America and Europe and can be greenish-yellow, red, dark purple or purplish brown in colour.

The seaweed contains 15 of the 18 essential elements making up the human body, including sulphur, potassium, iodine and calcium as well as vitamins A, D, E, F and K.

In Ireland it has a long history as a good luck charm to be taken on journeys or placed under the rug to bring money and prosperity.

It was used as mattress stuffing and cattle feed but came into its own as a foodstuff during the Irish Famine. It was a major industry for a time in PEI when the Island provided one-third of the world's supply.
Carrageenan is a sort of gelatin extracted from the moss which binds ingredients together and prevents large ice crystals forming.
It adds no calories or flavours to the product and is used in beer, toothpaste, ice cream and many other products.

The complete story of Irish Moss is told at the (seasonal) Irish Moss Interpretive Centre and Museum at Miminegash. In their adjoining Seaweed Pie Café visitors can sample dishes containing Irish Moss, particularly their signature dish, Seaweed Pie.

With permission from 'Prince Edward Island Place Names' David E. Scott 2011