Dive Brief:
- Last year, dehulled glabrous canary seed was cleared for human consumption in both the U.S. and Canada, but it hasn’t made the impact it had hoped, according to Herald Business.
- There are many uses for canary seed. It can be made into canary flour and used to make bread, cookies, cereals and pastas. Whole seeds can be utilized in nutrition bars and on hamburger buns in place of sesame seeds.
- Saskatchewan is the world’s biggest exporter of canary seed, with approximately 2,500 farmers from the area marketing canary seed between 2012-2015.
Dive Insight:
The thought of eating bird seed is probably off-putting to a lot of people, so it’s not a big surprise that the ingredient hasn't caught on in human food applications.
Anecdotal evidence suggests canary seed supports the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, pancreas, kidneys and liver and can help with weight loss, but this knowledge hasn't become mainstream.
In 2015, American Chemical Society researchers successfully converted canary seeds into a viable gluten-free food alternative for people with celiac disease, and this is one area that manufacturers are looking to capitalize on.
Canary seed flour has more fatty acids, vitamins, fiber and protein content than other grains used for flour. The nutty flavor that comes from roasted canary seed is a hit with those who have tried it. And given how sesame seeds are a widespread food allergen, the canary seed is a strong substitute.