As the summer approaches, many people starts shifting their diet to fruits that provides cooling effect to their body. Many fruits are in their list, from watermelon, muskmelon, Cucumber to other. In the eastern part of India, people starts looking for the Bael fruits. These are of high demand during the summer due to their medicinal properties. More importantly the cooling effect that it provides to the body.
My mother makes some great bael juice, but in my case I am trying to eat it raw with the help of spoon. During summer you may find many vendor selling bael juice on the streets. Bael (also known as Wood Apple or Indian Bael) is considered a "summer cool fruit" because it has cooling properties that help regulate body temperature and provide relief from the heat. Its juice is a popular summer beverage, believed to help cool down the body and prevent heat-related discomforts like dehydration and fatigue. The fruit contains a good amount of water, which helps to hydrate the body during the hot summer months. Bael juice is believed to aid in digestion, improve gut health, and relieve constipation, which can be particularly helpful in the heat.
It is not only the fruit, but the entire bael tree holds significant cultural importance, particularly in Hinduism. The Bael tree is considered sacred, with its leaves and fruits used in rituals and worship, especially for Lord Shiva. Beyond religious practices, the Bael tree is also valued for its medicinal properties in traditional systems like Ayurveda, with various parts of the tree used to treat a wide range of ailments. The trifoliate leaves of the Bael tree are often associated with the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh), and the fruit is seen as a symbol of fertility. People enjoy bael fruit for its unique taste, cooling properties, and numerous health benefits. Bael fruit has a distinct flavor, described as sweet, creamy, and melony/floral. Bael can be consumed fresh, as juice, or used to make delicacies like murabba and puddings. Bael sherbet,is a popular summer drink, is a refreshing and hydrating way to enjoy the fruit.
For fresh consumption, break the hard outer shell and scoop out the pulp. This can be mashed and strained to make a cooling sherbet by adding water, milk, jaggery, and other optional ingredients. Bael juice can be extracted by soaking the pulp in water and straining it. While the fruit is available at a price in the market, having a tree in the neighbourhood is a boon as I get them in free. Enjoying the pulpy taste of it every evening.
In good faith - Peace!!
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