Bael fruit: 5 delicious ways to enjoy it
What's the story
Bael, a fruit that hails from the Indian subcontinent, has made its way into different African cuisines due to its health benefits and distinctive flavor.
Widely known for its medicinal benefits, bael is added to daily meals in innovative ways across Africa.
From refreshing beverages to wholesome stews, this hardy fruit lends a unique taste and health punch to everyday meals.
Here are five amazing ways Africans use bael in their cuisines.
Refreshing drink
Bael juice as a refreshing beverage
In several African regions, bael juice is a commonly preferred option for a refreshing drink.
The pulp of the bael fruit is combined with water and occasionally sweetened with honey or sugar to make a cooling drink.
Not only does this beverage quench thirst, but it also provides vital nutrients such as vitamin C and fiber.
It is frequently consumed during hot weather, as it hydrates the body while providing digestive benefits.
Salad addition
Incorporating bael in salads
If you're looking for an interesting salad add-on, go for bael, as it adds both texture and flavor.
You can scoop out the ripe pulp of the fruit and add it directly into your vegetable or fruit salads.
Its sweet-tart taste goes well with other ingredients such as cucumbers, tomatoes, or avocados.
This will not only add taste to your salad but also make it healthier by adding antioxidants.
Soup ingredient
Bael pulp in soups and stews
In some African households, bael pulp finds its way into soups and stews. The fruit's natural sweetness balances out spicy flavors usually present in them.
When cooked with vegetables or legumes, bael brings depth to the broth while enriching it with vitamins A and B-complex.
This way, we see how traditional ingredients can be innovatively combined to create nutritious meals.
Baking ingredient
Using bael powder for baking
Bael powder, made from dried fruit pulp, makes for the perfect ingredient for baking across Africa.
It can be added to bread doughs or cake batters, where it adds subtle sweetness and health benefits like improved digestion (thanks to the high fiber content in this superfood ingredient itself)!
Bakers love how versatile yet beneficial using the powdered form is when making delicious baked goods without compromising on the nutrition aspects involved therein, too!
Jam preparation
Making jams from ripe baels
Ripe bael fruits are often converted into jams to preserve their rich flavors over time.
This way, they can be enjoyed all year round, even if the fresh supply falls short at times.
Simply cook ripe fruits down with sugar until they thicken, and get desired results easily.
Voila! A spreadable delight enjoyed atop toast slices at breakfast tables everywhere alike, thanks to a simple yet effective preservation technique employed here today.