Bael

Bael fruit dried

Bael fruit has its origin in Asia (India, southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia).

The fruits can be eaten fresh or dried. Sliced and dried fruits can be used to make a drink by simmering the dried fruit in water.

Bael is also called Beli fruit or Wood apple. It has a very hard woody surface.

Names

Scientific
   Aegle marmelos
Synonym
   Crataeva marmelos
   Feronia pellucida
English
   Bael
   Beli fruit
   Bilva
   Bilwa
   Stone apple
   Wood apple
Dutch
   Slijmappel
French
   Bael
German
   Belbaum
   Bengalische Quitte
   Madjobaum
Thai
   Matoom
   Matum

Taxonomy

Genus
   Aegle
Family
   Rutaceae
Order
   Sapindales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Bael originates from India, southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Distribution:

Bael grows in subtropical areas. Main areas of cultivation include India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and Fiji.

Evergreen or deciduous:

Deciduous

Flowers:

Leaves:

Fruits:

The woody-skinned fruit of bael has a smooth surface and measures 5 to 15 cm in diameter. Some fruits are so hard that you need a hammer to break the skin. The fruits contain many seeds, covered with fibrous hairs and are surrounded by a thick, sticky pulp.

Climate and weather:

Pollination:

Height:

The trees will grow to about 18 meters tall.

Blooming period

Type of soil:

Bael prefers rich, well-drained soils.

Growth rate:

Spacing (close range)

Spacing (wide range)

Propagation:

Bael is grown from seeds.

Insect pests:

Diseases:

Fruit development:

Harvesting:

Uses:

Bael fruit is eaten fresh or dried. Juice of bael is sweetened and sometimes mixed with lime to make a kind of lemonade. Also sliced and dried fruits can be used to make a drink by first boiling and then simmering the dried pieces in water.
The fruits have also a medicinal use as a mild laxative and
digestive.

Recipes

Bael fruit Juice

Ingredients:

1)  Dried bael fruit 5 slices
2)  Water 1 liter
3)  Sugar 200 grams

Instructions on how to make a juice:

Clean the slices of bael fruit with water. Grill the dried slices of bael fruit until you get the aromatic fragrance. It is possible to use the dries piece directly if grilling is too complicated.

Crop categories

Fruits
Food crops
Tropical crops

Pictures