Hawthorn berry (Crataegus monogyna) is a traditional botanical ingredient, distinctively tart and mildly sweet, used in tea blends, herbal preparations, food manufacturing, and beverage production. Austral Herbs supplies certified organic and wildcrafted hawthorn berries in whole, crushed, powder, and leaf-flower forms, in pack sizes from 250g to 10kg.
| Attribute | Details |
| Botanical Name | Crataegus monogyna |
| Common Name | Hawthorn Berry |
| Plant Part | Berry, Leaf & Flower |
| Available Forms | Whole, Crushed, Powder |
| Flavour Profile | Tart, mildly sweet, fruity with subtle apple-like notes |
| Aroma | Lightly fruity and earthy |
| Typical Applications | Tea blends, herbal preparations, beverages, food manufacturing, botanical spirits |
| Certifications | Organic and Wildcrafted options available |
| Pack Sizes | 250g, 500g, 1kg, 5kg, 10kg |
Hawthorn berries are the small, deep-red fruits of the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), a thorny shrub or small tree native to Europe, north-west Africa, and western Asia, with a distinctively tart, mildly sweet flavour.
Traditionally, the berries are dried and used whole, crushed, or powdered in teas, tinctures, and food preparations, with a long history of use in Western herbalism, where they have traditionally been associated with heart and circulatory wellness. (1)(2)
Hawthorn berries are traditionally associated with several potential health benefits, though individual results may vary and professional guidance is recommended.
Some studies suggest hawthorn may help support cardiovascular function and healthy circulation. (2)(3)
Traditional use and some research indicate hawthorn may help maintain healthy blood pressure levels within normal ranges. (4)(5)
Research shows hawthorn berries contain compounds that may help protect against oxidative stress. (2)(3)
Consult a healthcare professional before using hawthorn, especially if taking heart medications. (1)(6)
Hawthorn's distinctive tart flavour and traditional heart-supporting reputation make it valuable across industries seeking natural ingredients with both culinary and wellness appeal.
Tea blenders incorporate hawthorn berries into traditional herbal tea blends and seasonal formulations. The berries provide a naturally tart, slightly sweet flavour that balances well with other herbs like hibiscus and rose hips. Whole berries work best for loose-leaf blends, while powder suits tea bag manufacturing and allows for consistent flavour extraction.
Food manufacturers add hawthorn berries to functional foods, jams, and health bars for their tart flavour and traditional wellness associations. The natural pectin in whole berries helps with gel formation in preserves, while crushed forms are often used for baked goods.
In the culinary industry, hawthorn berries and powders are used in jams, preserves, syrups, sauces, chutneys and specialty baked goods. Their naturally tart flavour works well in sweet and savoury recipes, while powdered forms provide consistent flavour and easy blending for commercial kitchens, cafes and manufacturers.
Hawthorn berries are a common ingredient used in traditional herbal formulations and botanical blends by naturopaths and wellness companies. Organic options are ideal for those seeking ingredients produced in accordance with organic standards, while powder forms are well suited to capsules, custom blends, and other applications.
Beverage manufacturers use hawthorn berries in functional drinks, kombuchas, and wellness shots. Their naturally tart flavour and vibrant colour make them a popular ingredient in both hot and cold beverages. Powder forms mix easily into liquid formulations, while whole berries are ideal where both flavour and visual presentation are important.
At Austral Herbs, we supply hawthorn berries in whole, crushed, and powder forms, as well as traditional leaf-flower combinations. Each form offers different extraction rates and blending properties depending on your application needs.
Whole dried berries retain maximum flavour compounds and work perfectly for steeping in spirits or making berry-forward tea blends. The intact berry structure allows controlled release of colour and tartness, making these ideal for use cases where visual appeal and flavour both matter.
Fine powder blends instantly into smoothies, functional foods, and other preparations without the grittiness of crushed berries. This form delivers consistent dosing for commercial formulations and dissolves completely in liquids for clean-finishing products.
Sustainably harvested powder offers the same fine texture as organic versions while providing cost advantages for large-scale food manufacturing. The wildcrafted sourcing appeals to customers seeking traditional harvesting methods without certified organic requirements.
A traditional blend of hawthorn leaf and flower used in herbal tea formulations and botanical preparations. It has a mild floral, slightly earthy flavour and is well suited to loose-leaf tea blends and gentle infusion-style applications.
Wildcrafted hawthorn leaves and florals are suitable for herbal teas and light botanical infusions. It releases a mild floral aroma with soft earthy notes, making it well-suited to loose-leaf teas, gentle wellness infusions, and traditional herbal blends where a finer botanical cut is preferred.
These whole, naturally sourced berries are perfect for traditional herbal preparations where a coarser botanical cut is required. They gradually release flavour and botanical compounds, providing a gently tart, earthy profile and a more traditional preparation style compared to crushed or powdered forms.
Crushed hawthorn berries offer faster extraction than whole berries while retaining their flavour. This cut is suitable for herbal teas, syrups, and botanical extracts that require quicker infusion, and it blends easily into herbal formulations while maintaining the flavour profile.
Finely milled leaf and flower powder provides a smooth consistency for capsules, functional foods, drink mixes, and powdered herbal preparations. This form delivers the aroma and benefits of hawthorn leaf and flower in a convenient, ready-to-use formula.
Yes, hawthorn berries are widely used in foods and beverages around the world. As with many traditional botanicals, those taking heart medications are generally advised to consult a healthcare professional before use, as it may interact with certain cardiac drugs. (1) (3)
Store in cool, dry, dark conditions in sealed containers. Light and heat can break down the active compounds that give hawthorn its beneficial properties, while moisture can cause mould growth and spoilage in dried berries.
Organic certification verifies compliance with organic growing and processing standards, including restrictions on synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilisers. Wildcrafted generally refers to botanicals harvested from wild-growing plants. Both offer quality, but organic provides additional verification for health-focused applications.
We recommend that you start with 1kg to test blend ratios and customer response. Most commercial tea businesses then order 5-10kg quantities for consistent production. The 1kg size allows experimentation without large upfront investment while providing enough material for meaningful testing.
Yes, berries and leaf-flower combinations can be used together and often complement each other in traditional herbal applications. The berries provide tartness and natural sweetness while the leaves and flowers contribute additional traditional herbal benefits valued in wellness practices.
Austral Herbs supplies hawthorn berry with a strong focus on traceability, quality assurance, and consistent manufacturing standards. Our range includes certified organic and wildcrafted options across whole, crushed, powder, and leaf-and-flower forms.
We operate a HACCP-managed supply chain and offer bulk pack sizes from 250g to 10kg, supporting both small-batch development and large-scale production. Our hawthorn berries are suitable for tea, food, beverage, and herbal manufacturing, with reliable Australia-wide distribution. We provide clean-label ingredients that customers can source with confidence for consistent product formulation and manufacturing needs.
Hawthorn and hibiscus share a tart, berry-forward flavour that blends naturally in teas and herbal formulations. Both have long histories of use in Western herbalism and make a vibrant, ruby-red combination.
Fellow members of the Rosaceae family, hawthorn and rosehip are a botanically fitting pair. Their shared tartness and deep red colour make them a popular choice in traditional herbal tea blends and wellness formulas.
Two of Western herbalism's well recognised dark berries, hawthorn and elderberry are a classic pairing in syrups, powders, and teas. Their rich, fruity flavour profiles complement each other naturally in seasonal blends.
A traditional European herbal pairing, hawthorn's tartness is beautifully balanced by linden's honey-like floral sweetness. Together they have been used for herbalism and remain a popular choice for calming herbal teas.
Ginger's warming, pungent character balances hawthorn's cooler astringency in teas and functional blends. It is one of the most popular ways to incorporate hawthorn into everyday herbal routines.
Rose adds soft floral sweetness to hawthorn's deep berry tartness. Together they create an aromatic, traditionally grounded blend suited to teas, herbal infusions, and wellness formulas.
NCCIH. Hawthorn: Usefulness and Safety. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hawthorn
Wu M, et al. Roles and Mechanisms of Hawthorn and Its Extracts on Atherosclerosis: A Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7047282/
Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498108/
Szikora Z, et al. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) Clinically Significantly Reduces Blood Pressure in Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12298042/
Walker AF, et al. Hypotensive Effects of Hawthorn for Patients with Diabetes Taking Prescription Drugs: A Randomised Controlled Trial. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1839018/
Hawthorn. LiverTox, NCBI Bookshelf, NIH. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589114/
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Any references to traditional or historical uses are for context only and do not represent any therapeutic claims for the products supplied by Austral Herbs.
Austral Herbs supplies ingredients only and does not claim that any products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Customers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any ingredients, particularly if pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that any finished products manufactured, marketed, or supplied using these ingredients comply with all applicable Australian laws and regulations, including those administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and relevant food standards legislation.
