You can find wattle seed in our Australian Bush Food Garden at Green Olive at Red Hill.
Interesting Facts about Wattle Seed
The fringed wattle, also known as the Brisbane golden wattle, is a species of wattle that grows to 6-7 metres. The fringed wattle gets its name from the tiny hairs on the leaves of the plant. It also produces flowers of pale to bright yellow that have a lovely smell and seed pods. These seeds are edible and have been a food source for Aboriginal Australians for centuries. Wattle seeds can be eaten cooked or dried and then made into a flour for bush bread or seedcake. The flour made from wattle seeds can be eaten by diabetics because of its low glycemic index and is often added to ice-cream and chocolate due to its rich, nutty, chocolatey taste. Due to its high protein content, wattle seeds were an important part of the Aboriginal diet.
Modern Uses of Wattle Seed
More recently, varieties of wattle have been grown in Africa because they are extremely hardy, drought-resistant plants and are a great source of protein for African populations that don’t get enough rainfall to keep livestock alive. Wattle seeds also contain nutrients like potassium, calcium, iron and zinc.
Interested in learning more about Australian bush foods? We are developing a range of products and experiences that will allow you to feel, smell and taste bush tucker. In the meantime, check out our other bush tucker plants to learn about some of the other native Australian flora that we’ve planted: Strawberry Gum, Lemon Myrtle and Finger Limes.
Wattle seeds in pod
Photo credit: Atlas Obscura
Wattle flowers
Photo credit: Ole Lantana's Seed Store
Wattle flowers
Photo credit: Flower Power
Banner photo credit: Roogenic
Cover photo credit: Barringbar Rainforest Nursery