Drink guide · Yado Market Blog
Big Bamboo is a ready-to-drink Irish moss drink from Jamaica: thick, creamy and sweet, with vanilla and spice. Here's what Irish moss drink is, what's really in the can, how to serve it, and where to buy it in Chicago or online.
Quick answer: what is Big Bamboo Irish moss?
At a glance
- Price$3.49 a can · 4-pack $11.99
- FlavorsVanilla and peanut
- TastesThick, creamy, sweet, with spice
- ContainsMilk and soy, not vegan
- ServeIce cold
- Get itChicago pickup, local delivery or shipping
9.8 oz
One can, one serving
200
Calories per can5
Milk + soy
Allergens on the label
Ice cold
Best way to drink it
Shop Big Bamboo
Big Bamboo Irish Moss at Yado Market
Pick it up at our store at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or get it shipped anywhere in the U.S.
The classic
Big Bamboo Irish Moss Vanilla, 1 can
Creamy vanilla with a hint of spice. Grab one cold with your shopping.
Shop · $3.49
Best value
Big Bamboo Irish Moss Vanilla, 4-pack
Four 9.8 oz cans, about $3.00 a can. Keep a few in the fridge.
Shop · $11.99
Nutty flavor
Big Bamboo Irish Moss Peanut, 1 can
Thick and nutty, like a cross with peanut punch. Not for peanut allergies.
Shop · $3.49Know your drink
What Is Irish Moss Drink?
Irish moss drink is a thick, sweet, milky drink loved in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. Red seaweed is boiled until soft, then blended with milk, sugar or condensed milk, and spices like vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon.2 The seaweed holds carrageenan, a natural gel that gives the drink its smooth, heavy body.2
The name comes from Chondrus crispus, a red seaweed from the rocky Atlantic coasts of Ireland, Europe and North America, also called carrageen.1 In Jamaica the drink is usually made with Gracilaria, a related red seaweed.2 Today many people call both of them "sea moss."
Homemade
Soak, boil and blend the seaweed with milk and spices. Takes a few hours with soaking and chilling.
Roadside stalls
Long sold fresh and cold in Jamaica. Canned versions are now common too.2
Big Bamboo
The ready-to-drink can. Chill, shake and open. No soaking or boiling.
Read the label
Big Bamboo Irish Moss Ingredients
The vanilla can lists 14 ingredients, in this order:5
- Water
- Sugar (sucrose)
- Milk
- Corn syrup solids
- Partially hydrogenated coconut oil
- Sodium caseinate (a milk protein)
- Natural & artificial flavors and spices
- Dipotassium phosphate
- Mono & diglycerides (contain refined soybean oil)
- Sodium silicoaluminate
- Soy lecithin
- Annatto color
- Modified food starch
- Carrageenan
Where's the seaweed? It's the carrageenan. Carrageenan is a thickener made from red seaweeds, including Chondrus crispus (Irish moss).3 So the can gives you the classic thick Irish moss texture, but it is a sweet milk drink, not a sea moss gel.
Allergens: contains milk and soy
The label says "Contains milk and soy ingredients" and "May contain egg and peanut."5 Milk and soy are both major food allergens.4 Big Bamboo is not vegan, not dairy-free and not lactose-free.
Nutrition per 9.8 oz can
200 calories · 29 g total sugars (26 g added) · 1 g protein.5 One can is one serving.
Labels can change. Always check the can in your hand, especially if you have a food allergy.
Taste & serving
What It Tastes Like and How to Serve It
Think of a thick vanilla milkshake with a little nutmeg and cinnamon. It's sweet, creamy and smooth. Shake the can well before you open it.
Ice cold
Chill in the fridge and drink straight from the can.
Over ice
Pour into a tall glass with ice and a pinch of nutmeg on top.
Blended
Blend with a banana or mango and ice for a thick shake.
In coffee
Add a splash to iced coffee for a vanilla twist.
Cocktail idea (adults 21+ only): some people mix Irish moss with a shot of Jamaican rum over ice. Big Bamboo itself has no alcohol.
Which one?
Vanilla, Peanut or the 4‑Pack?
From scratch
How to Make Irish Moss Drink at Home
Want the homemade version? Here is the basic Jamaican method. It makes about 4 glasses.
- Soak: rinse a small handful (about 1 oz) of dried sea moss well, then soak it in cold water for a few hours until soft.
- Boil: drain, add fresh water to cover, and simmer until the sea moss melts and turns soft, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Blend: blend it with about 3 cups of milk, condensed milk or sugar to taste, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Chill: strain if you like it smooth, then chill for a few hours. It gets thicker as it cools.
Get the sea moss
We sell dried gold sea moss from Saint Lucia ($28.99). Short on time? A cold can of Big Bamboo is ready now. For more on sea moss itself, read Sea Moss Near Me.
Benefits
Irish Moss (Sea Moss) Benefits: What the Research Says
Irish moss has a big reputation in Jamaica. Here is what is behind it, with sources, and how much of it you get from a can versus whole sea moss.
Rich in minerals
Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) is high in potassium, calcium and magnesium. In a 2024 lab study it had the most calcium, iron, manganese and zinc of the three seaweeds tested.6
Plant protein and omega-3s
Dried Irish moss is about 14% to 27% protein, with amino acids like glycine and glutamic acid, plus the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA.6
A natural source of iodine
Seaweeds contain iodine, which the body needs to make thyroid hormones.7 Amounts vary a lot between seaweeds, and very high intake can be too much, so whole sea moss is best in small portions.8
Gut and prebiotic fiber
Red-seaweed carbohydrates like carrageenan can act as prebiotics and have been linked to more Bifidobacterium, a "good" gut bacterium. The research is mixed, though: a 2024 review found most studies point to harm, especially for people with IBD.9
A traditional Caribbean tonic
Across the Caribbean, Irish moss is hailed as a "wonder seaweed" said to vitalize, and the peanut version is popular with athletes and bodybuilders.10
Fuel from the milk and sugar
A can of Big Bamboo gives you 200 calories, mostly from 29 g of sugar (26 g added), with 1 g of protein from the milk.5 That makes it a quick, filling pick-me-up.
Can vs whole sea moss
Big Bamboo is thickened with carrageenan, the seaweed extract,3 so it is a sweet milk drink, not a sea moss supplement. It still contains milk and soy. For the minerals and protein of the whole seaweed, make Irish moss at home with dried sea moss (recipe above).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This guide is for information only and is not medical advice. If you have a thyroid condition, IBD or a food allergy, talk to your doctor first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Irish moss drink have milk in it?
Yes, usually. Homemade Irish moss is blended with milk or condensed milk. Big Bamboo lists milk and sodium caseinate (a milk protein) on the label.
Is Big Bamboo vegan or dairy-free?
No. It contains milk and soy, and the label says it may contain egg and peanut.
What does Jamaican Irish moss taste like?
Sweet, creamy and thick, like a vanilla milkshake with nutmeg and cinnamon. The peanut flavor tastes nutty, close to peanut punch.
What is Irish moss drink good for?
Whole Irish moss is rich in minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium, has plant protein, and is a natural source of iodine. Across the Caribbean it is a traditional tonic. A can of Big Bamboo is mainly a creamy treat with 200 calories; see the benefits section above for the details and sources.
Is Irish moss the same as sea moss?
Close. Irish moss is the red seaweed Chondrus crispus. In Jamaica the drink is made with a similar red seaweed, Gracilaria, and people now call both "sea moss."
Who should not drink it?
Skip it if you are allergic to milk or soy, and check the label first if you have an egg or peanut allergy. The peanut flavor is not for anyone with a peanut allergy. It is also high in sugar.
Does Big Bamboo contain alcohol?
No. It is a non-alcoholic drink. Some adults (21+) mix Irish moss with rum.
How do I store it?
Keep unopened cans in a cool, dry place. Chill before drinking, shake well, and drink it soon after opening.
Where can I buy Irish moss drink near me in Chicago?
At Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago. Pick it up in store, or order online for shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Ready for a Cold Irish Moss?
Grab a can of Big Bamboo at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, or have it shipped to your door.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Irish moss (Chondrus crispus)." britannica.com
- Wikipedia, "Irish moss (drink)." en.wikipedia.org
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 172.620, "Carrageenan." law.cornell.edu
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Food Allergies." fda.gov
- Big Bamboo Jamaican Irish Moss Vanilla Drink, 9.8 fl oz: label ingredients, allergen statement and Nutrition Facts, as listed by H-E-B. heb.com
- Čmiková N, Kowalczewski PŁ, Kmiecik D, et al. "Seaweed Nutritional Value and Bioactive Properties: Insights from Ascophyllum nodosum, Palmaria palmata, and Chondrus crispus." Life 2024;14(11):1522. doi.org/10.3390/life14111522
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), "Iodine in diet." medlineplus.gov
- Aakre I, Solli DD, Markhus MW, et al. "Commercially available kelp and seaweed products: valuable iodine source or risk of excess intake?" Food & Nutrition Research 2021;65. doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.7584
- Komisarska P, Anan P, Saleem M, Szczuko M. "Carrageenan as a Potential Factor of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases." Nutrients 2024;16(9):1367. doi.org/10.3390/nu16091367
- Atlas Obscura (Gastro Obscura), "Jamaican Irish Moss Drink." atlasobscura.com
