African Breadfruit Seeds (Dried Ukwa)

African Breadfruit Seeds (Ukwa) Treculia africana

African Breadfruit Seeds (Ukwa) is harvested from the African Breadfruit (Treculia africana) and belongs to the Mulberry family Moracceae, which is of African origin but now grown in most tropical and sub-tropical countries.  It is a very nutritious food commonly eaten throughout Africa, but especially in southeastern Nigeria where it is known by its Igbo name ‘Ukwa’. In other parts of Nigeria it is called ‘Afon’ in Yoruba; ‘Barafuta’in Hausa; ‘Ize’ in Benin, Jekri and Sobo; ‘Izea’ in Ijaw; ‘Ediang’ in Efik and Ibibios; and ‘Eyo’ in Igala.

Also called ‘African Breadfruit’ (Tanzania, Zambia & Uganda); ‘Wild Jackfruit’ (Tanzania & Uganda); ‘African Boxwood’ (Malawi), ‘Abre a pain d’Afrique’ (French); ‘Muzinda’ (Luganda); ‘Mwaya’ (Swahili) and ‘Brebretim (Wolof).

How to eat African Breadfruit Seeds (Ukwa)

African Breadfruit Seeds is mainly cooked as a porridge meal with dry/smoked/fresh fish, with or without vegetables and palm oil.

It can be roasted and eaten with coconut as a wholesome and filling snack.

It can be cooked mixed with other foods like sorghum.

It can also be ground into flour and used to thicken soups, to make high protein ‘fufu’ or as a gluten-free substitute in bakery products like breadfruit cakes and snacks.

How to cook Ukwa into a yummy porridge meal:

• Soak seeds for at least 2 hours to overnight and rinse.
• Place in water in a pot or pressure cooker, add seasonings like salt, chilli, dried/smoked fish, palm oil.
• You may use Baking soda (Bicarbonate of Soda/Sodium Bicarbonate) as a healthier alternative to edible potash (Akanwu, kanwa, kaun or keun).

Nutritional Profile

African Breadfruit Seeds are a gluten-free, protein-rich and nutritious legume.

They are an important food item which is very popular and consumed as a main dish. They are highly nutritious, rich in polyphenols, and constitute a cheap single derived source of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. 

 Health Benefits of African Breadfruit Seeds (Ukwa)

• Ethno-medical management of Diabetes – Breadfruit porridge is one of the diabetic healthy foods used to help control blood sugar levels.
• Helps as a nutrient dense food to stop food craving in a weight loss diet.
• Good for digestive health due to containing a high active fibre content.
• Helps to promote production of good cholesterol (High density Lipoproteins {HDL})
• Helps reduce bad cholesterol (Low Density Lipoproteins {LDL})
• Helps in proper brain function and metabolic health due to high omega fatty acids content
• The water extracted from the boiled seeds helps to cleanse or purify the stomach when taken
• Helps to maintain bone health as a source of potassium, riboflavin, niacin, zinc, manganese, calcium and magnesium.
• Energy boosting food for the body as it is rich in complex carbohydrates
• Helps to fight free radicals due to naturally occurring antioxidants and flavonoids.
• Helps repair of body cells and tissues due to containing selenium and copper.
• Helps to nourish and maintain healthy eyes, skin and boosting the body’s resistance to infections and disease
• Nourishing food to eat throughout pregnancy
• Improves the immune system

Safe Journey Foods is proud to be the Australian/New Zealand Authorized Importer and Distributor of Phronesis Ukwa range of food products.

Contact Us if you are interested in stocking African Breadfruit Seeds (Ukwa) in your retail outlet.

Phronesis Foods Roasted Ukwa and Coconut Snack Coming Soon!