Wattleseed - Gastro Obscura

Ingredients & Condiments

Wattleseed

This chocolate-flavored superfood falls from the Australian Acacia bush.

Australia’s superfood is the wattleseed. The edible seed is the product of the Acacia, a bush with more than 100 varieties—not all suitable for consumption. The seeds are housed inside small, flat pods similar to tamarind.

Most commonly, the seeds are ground up and turned into a powder, extract, or paste. These all have a flavor that’s a heady mix of chocolate, hazelnut, and coffee. It makes for a versatile ingredient that can be used as a thickening agent or flavor booster in desserts and beverages, including cakes, ice cream, smoothies, and beer.

Indigenous groups have been eating wattleseed for millennia, but it’s exploded in popularity over the past few decades. Its health benefits have played a large role in attracting new diners: It’s packed with nutrients such as protein, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Where to Try It
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