Origin of bael fruit

Beal fruit has been known in India since ancient times, and the tree on which it grows is regarded as sacred.  The history of this tree has been traced to Vedic period (2000 BC – 800 BC). The mention of bale fruit has been made in Yajurveda.

The tree has great mythological significance and abounds in the vicinity of temples. The leaves of the tree are traditionally used as sacred offering to Lord Siva, the God of health.

In the ‘Upavna Vinoda’, a Sanskrit treatise on silviculture and in the ‘Brihat Samhita’, mention was made of bael fruit. It has been said that this tree indicates the presence of underground water.

Three reaches about 40 feet in height and its fruit are generally about 2 to 5 inches across. The Portuguese called them marmelos because they gave the flavor of marmalade and can be eaten raw.

Garcia d’Orta who resided in India as physician to the Portuguese viceroy at Goa in the 16th century, wrote an account of the fruit under the name of Marmelos de Benguala, describing its use in dysentery.
Origin of bael fruit 

Bael fruit

The genus Aegle is one of the three monotypic general with deciduous leaves (Poncirus and Feronia are the other two) in the orange subfamily Aurantioideae.

Bael fruit is very hardy, subtropical, deciduous tree that can thrive in various soil-climatic conditions and can tolerates alkaline soil, and is not injured by temperatures as low as -7 ° C. The fruit is usually harvested when the peel turns yellowish green and the stem separates easily from the fruit.

Bael pulp is commonly eaten fresh after removal of mucilaginous seed or made onto sherbet and beverages; however it is also made into syrup and toffee.

Beating the seeded pulp together with milk and sugar makes a popular drink called sherbet in India.

Bael fruit has been widely from time immemorial for processing in the mature green form to prepare preserves. In order to prepare preserves, the hard rind of the fruit is removed by a special strong knife.

The fruit’s medicinal value is very high when it just begins to ripen. The fruit is aromatic, cooling and laxative. It arrests secretion or bleeding.

The unripe of half-ripe fruit is good for digestion. It is useful in preventing or curing scurvy. It also strengthens the stomach and promotes its action.
Bael fruit