Bael Tree (Aegle marmelos)

Family: Rutaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Aegle marmelos - Bael Tree, Golden Apple or Bengal Quince – is a mid-size, slow-growing deciduous tree native to India growing up to 18m in the right conditions. The fruits, leaves, twigs and root of the Bael tree are used medicinally. The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus. Its fruits are used in traditional medicine, and as a food. It requires a pronounced dry season to give fruit.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Leaves, Shoots, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

aromatic, pleasant-flavoured yellow pulp. — Edible portion: Fruit, Leaves condiment, Spice, Vegetable.; Fruit - eaten raw or made into marmalades, jams, jellies, drinks etc.; The orange fruits have an aromatic, pleasant-flavoured yellow pulp.; At ripening the pulp contains scented mucilage, which has a sweet flavour.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry forests on hills and plains, also in mixed deciduous and dry dipterocarp forests . (Zone 10)