#Australia - Native '#superfood' #grasses used to create flour, beer growing in popularity
By Fiona Broom, August 27, 2024
"Just three years ago, Chris Harris was using an old metal bed frame to shake out the tiny seeds that hide in native #KangarooGrass.
"The #AncientGrains can be roasted, brewed or ground into high-protein flour for baking.
" 'I spent a lot of time on my country — #Ngiyampaa country — with my pop, my dad, my mum and aunties and uncles,' Mr Harris said.
"Mr Harris has made flour out of #WattleSeed, as well as #MitchellGrass, #ButtonGrass and #KangarooGrass.
"He has sent native flours and seeds to kitchens across the country for the past two-and-a-half years but said he was looking at ways to expand his operations.
From builder to bush foods
"Mr Harris is the farm manager at #BlackDuckFoods, an #Aboriginal social enterprise at #Mallacoota on Victoria's far eastern border with New South Wales.
"The farm, named #Yumburra — the Yuin word for the black duck native to the Mallacoota region — was set up by award-winning author Bruce Pascoe, whose book Dark Emu shone a spotlight on the lost history of #AboriginalFood systems.
"Mr Harris was a plasterer with an Aboriginal construction company when first visited the property about four years ago.
"But he said after discussing bush foods with Mr Pascoe, he realised his future would be as a farmer and native foods educator.
" 'I'd been talking a lot to him about the lilies, the murnong, and the grains and he'd seen a real interest that I had in the native food space,' Mr Harris said.
"In the past few years, the small team has grown its knowledge of the ancient grains at their former beef farm on the banks of the Wallagaraugh River.
"They have encouraged the return of the #NativeGrasses, wattles and #tubers that produce the nutritious ingredients that foodies across the country are learning to love."
#IndigenousFood #NativeAustralians #BushTucker #TraditionalFoods