Warndu's Geraldton Wax

Another of our favourites. The leaves of this shrub have the most wonderful aroma and taste like a lemony pine needle. They are delicious in anything with seafood and especially stuffed in whole fish. The flowers are also edible, but not in large quantities.

Wax flowers are a genus of shrubs native to Western Australia. The most celebrated specie of Wax Flower is the Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium Uncinatum) which occurs naturally in the Chapman River Regional Park, Rangeway and Allanooka Springs. The leaves contain oil glands, which are small to medium in size and boast a beautiful perfume when crushed.

Geraldton Wax adds a citrusy flavour to your beverages and meals. Add to stir fries and creamy seafood sauces.

◎  Common Name: Geraldton wax 

◎  Scientific or Latin Name: Chamelaucium uncinatum

◎  Comparison: Lemony pine needle

◎  Seasonality: All year fresh

◎  Region: Widely grown

Benefits

• Geraldton wax is the most incredible plant. It's like the Australian native keffir lime. Throw pieces into a stir-fry.
• It contains anti-fungal properties which encourage and promote wound healing.
• The flower essence oil is used in aromatherapy for mental and emotional health.

Traditional Aboriginal Food and Uses

While the leaves of the plant have been used to flavour food, so far no evidence has been found of the Indigenous use of Geraldton wax flowers as a food.

Western & Modern

With Geraldton Wax it is the leaf that is used, similar to the way you would use rosemary — you strip the leaf of a wax flower plant, blend it with some oil and a pinch of salt and create a green salsa-verde paste and that can be used on fish prawns or lamb.

The leaves have been used in the food industry as a flavouring for sauces, stocks and in a botanical gin. The latest developments are dried tea flakes, and a freeze-dried powder which could be added to pancake and biscuit batter.

Medicinal

There are no know medicinal uses for Geraldton Wax but it does contain natural anti-fungal properties that promote wound healing.

Recipes

Geraldton Wax is featured in these recipes in Warndu Mai:

• Pippis in Vermouth

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Warndu Products featuring Geraldton Wax

Warndu sells our Geraldton Wax Leaves dried and ground, ready for your use at home as a spice.

 

Note: The term 'Bush Tucker' and 'Bush Food' are not Warndu's preferred terms for Australian Native Ingredients or Australian Botanicals.

Images: © Luisa Brimble