About Wattleseed

The seed from wattle trees has been an important food source for Australia’s First Nations peoples for millennia.

Australia has hundreds of wattle (acacia) species. Long before Europeans arrived in Australia, the country’s First Nations peoples were very familiar with a native superfood the tree produces – its seed.

Wattle seed has played an important part in their diets for thousands of years and also appeared on the plates of early European settlers.

One of the forms of preparation used by First Nations peoples was roasting the seeds; which were then ground into a flour and water added. The mix would be shaped into cakes then cooked in the coals of a fire.

In the kitchens of today, wattleseed is used in a wide range of foods including breads, biscuits and muffins. The ground seed is also added as a thickener for soups, casseroles and sauces.

The taste of wattleseed is described as being nutty, with an aroma reminiscent of coffee, chocolate and hazelnut. It’s these attributes that have also seen the seed make its way into beverages and desserts such as ice cream.

Byron Bay Labs has used wattleseed in our Balance hulled hemp seed product; giving it a unique and delicious flavour.

Why Is Wattle Seed Called A Super-Food?

Nutritionally speaking, wattleseed is high in protein and carbohydrates. It also contains a wide range of important minerals to support help wellness, including:

  • Zinc: 3.105 mg/100g DW
  • Magnesium: 255.1 mg/100g DW
  • Calcium: 434.4 mg/100g DW
  • Iron: 10.90 mg/100g DW
  • Selenium: 31.7 μg/100g DW
  • Phosphorous: 227.5 mg/100g DW
  • Sodium: 43.90 mg/100g DW
  • Potassium: 1147.6 mg/100g DW
  • Manganese: 2.955 mg/100g DW
  • Copper: 0.836 mg/100g DW
  • Molybdenum: 25.1 μg/100g DW

DW = Dry Weight

The above nutritional information was sourced from a 2009 report published by the Australian Government-backed Rural Industries R&D Corporation (now Agrifutures Australia).

One of the seed’s other important attributes is its low glycemic index; meaning it is slowly digested, absorbed and metabolised. This results in a lower and slower rise in blood glucose levels.

Our Wattleseed Source

The seed we use is ethically sourced; wild-harvested by First Nations peoples throughout south east of South Australia and in the Grampians region of Victoria.

You’ll find wattleseed in Byron Bay Labs’ Balance – give it a try today; we’re confident you’ll be back for more!