Bael Fruit

Tree & Origin: The Bael fruit is a species of tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The tree is considered sacred by Hindus, often found near temples and used in religious rites. Fruit Appearance: The fruit is typically round or slightly pear-shaped, ranging from 5 to 20 cm (2 to 8 in) in diameter. It is known for its distinctive, hard, woody shell (hence "Stone Apple" or "Wood Apple") that must be cracked open with force. The rind is gray-green when developing, turning yellow when fully ripe. Pulp: The interior is filled with a thick, aromatic orange-yellow pulp that is sweet, aromatic, and sometimes slightly astringent. This pulp contains numerous seeds, each encased in a sac of adhesive, transparent mucilage. Culinary Use: The fruit pulp is eaten fresh, or more commonly processed into refreshing drinks (like "Bael Sharbat" in India), jams, jellies, and marmalades. It is highly valued in traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for its digestive and other health properties, with the unripe fruit often used for different purposes than the ripe fruit.