BROCKTON – Seamoss, fresh coconut water, and eating fried fish sandwiches under a palm tree by the ocean is a way of life in Trinidad, and one entrepreneur wants to bring her heritage to America through her business, Fruit Fetish Seamoss.
You may have heard the unglamorous side of seamoss, that it “smells and tastes” like “fishy ocean water,” or you may have seen videos of content creators gagging at the taste of it on TikTok, but Laurelee Monteiro is on a mission to change this stereotype.
The Brockton resident decided to experiment and make a fruit-infused seamoss derived from Jamaica.
What is seamoss?
Seamoss, or Irish moss, is a seaweed found in the ocean. It’s gluten-free and vegan, with many nutrients, including vitamin B2, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
The entrepreneur was suffering from constant dizziness and low Iron. Doctors put her on iron supplements, but it caused other side effects.
How did Fruit Fetish Seamoss start?
Monteiro sought an alternative, perhaps a homeopathic way to heal herself. She thought of the natural remedies she’d grown up with in Trinidad. She remembered the properties natural seamoss contains, including 92 out of 102 essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to function correctly.
But there was a problem. Monteiro hated the way natural seamoss tasted, but she knew it would benefit her in the long run, so she ran to Google and researched ways to enhance the flavor without disrupting its superfood goodness.
“I wanted to incorporate seamoss into my daily lifestyle, so I learned how to infuse it with organic fruits and herbs, which gave it a good taste. I have 12 flavors; the most popular are passion fruit and turmeric. I take two tablespoons of seamoss daily, and my immune system is better, I’m not dizzy anymore, and my iron is back to normal,” Monteiro said.
Seamoss makes the entrepreneur feel “amazing” with a boost of newfound energy, which is much needed since she’s a new mother of a 1-year-old who keeps her up at night.
Monteiro recently quit her corporate job at Bank of America and is pursuing this business full-time with the full support of her husband.
Fruit Fetish Seamoss flavor menu in Randolph
She offers seamoss in 12 flavors, including soursop, dragon fruit lemonade, blue spirulina, pineapple, elderberry, and hibiscus. The business also sells facemasks and hair oil infused with seamoss extract.
The love of fruit, hence the name fruit fetish, came from Monteiro’s desire to eat fruits, from pineapples to mangos, every day in Trinidad. She likes them all.
Eating fresh fruit and watching the waves crash onto the shore was a way to pass the time on Sundays.
Monteiro visited the beach every Sunday as a reset ritual to reconnect with nature and enjoy the beautiful earth God created, she said.
You can find the products at the American Food Basket located at 300 N Main St., Randolph, or buy them online by visiting www.lazavibeauty.com.
