Bael fruit tea is a popular Thai drink with a unique wonderful aroma. It requires only 3 ingredients and is very easy to make. Although the iced version is more common, you can serve it hot as well.
Why We Love This Drink
Although bael is a fruit, bael fruit tea is often considered an 'herbal' drink among Thais because of its many health benefits. Apart from being good for your health (if not made too sweet), it also offers a unique and pleasant flavor that anyone would ask for a second after the first sip.
Like nam gek huay and nam lamyai, this drink is very easy to make and if you already have the fruit, the other two ingredients are very basic. It works great as a refresher on a hot day but it could also be comforting on a cold day or after a bath or nice Thai massage.
Add it as a part of a Thai meal with Laab Moo, Thai green mango salad, or Tom Yum Goong!
Video Tutorial
Ingredients
- Dried Bael Fruit: Make sure you use the dried slices and not the fresh fruit.
- Water
- Granulated Sugar
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Put 4 slices of dried bael fruit in a bowl and microwave at the highest heat for 1 minute or use a kitchen torch to slightly burn each slice of the fruit on both sides. This helps bring out the aroma and flavor of the fruit. Do not skip it!
Step 2: Put the bael fruit in a pot and add water to the pot.
Step 3: Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Step 4: Add granulated sugar to the pot and stir.
Step 5: Continue to boil until until the fruit is soft, about 15 minutes.
Step 6: Strain the drink into a pot with a strainer.
Serving and Storage
You can serve this drink either hot or cold. Since Thailand is a hot country, we usually drink it cold here. In fact, we put ice in the drink as well. If you want to have it cold and/or with ice, make sure to chill the drink first and you might want to adjust the level of sweetness accordingly.
At Thai massage spas in Thailand, you may be served hot bael fruit tea as a welcome drink or after your massage.
As for storage, just chill the drink, transfer it to a bottle with a lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Bael Fruit Tea Recipe
Equipment
- 1 strainer
Instructions
- Put 4 slices of dried bael fruit in a bowl and microwave at the highest heat for 1 minute or use a kitchen torch to slightly burn each slice of the fruit on both sides.
- Put the bael fruit in a pot and add water to the pot.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Add granulated sugar to the pot and stir.
- Continue to boil until until the fruit is soft, about 15 minutes.
- Strain the drink into a pot with a strainer.
Video
Notes
- Do not skip step 1 as it is going to bring out the amazing aroma of the fruit, making the drink smell stronger.
- You want to use slices of dried bael fruit, not the fresh fruit, to make this drink.