### Bel Ka Sharbat, Maredu Drink, How to Make Bael Syrup – Summer Drinks
Bel Ka Sharbat, crafted from the Bael fruit (Aegle marmelos), is an invigorating and wholesome beverage ideal for the summer season. This revered fruit in Hinduism is acknowledged for its health advantages, such as supporting digestion, cooling the body, and detoxifying. The roots and leaves of the Bael tree are also employed in traditional medicine for addressing skin infections and gastrointestinal issues.
#### Nutritional Benefits of Bael Fruit
Bael fruit is abundant in vitamins and minerals, making it a superb option for quenching thirst. It aids in alleviating acidity, ulcers, and various gastric disorders. The cooling properties of the fruit render it perfect for warm weather, offering relief from heat and dehydration.
#### Preparing Bel Ka Sharbat
Two main techniques exist for preparing Bel Ka Sharbat: utilizing dried Bael fruit (Maredu) or ripe Bael fruit.
**Using Dried Bael Fruit (Maredu)**
1. **Ingredients**:
– Dried Bael fruit
– Water
– Sugar
– Lemon juice
– Ice cubes
2. **Instructions**:
– Rinse the dried Bael fruit well and let it soak in water overnight.
– The following day, boil the soaked Bael in the same water until the quantity decreases by half.
– Strain the mixture and boil the liquid with sugar until it transforms into a syrup.
– For serving, combine 3 heaping tablespoons of the prepared Bel syrup with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a tall glass. Fill with chilled water and add ice cubes.
**Using Ripe Bael Fruit**
1. **Ingredients**:
– Ripe Bael fruit
– Water
– Sugar or jaggery
– Roasted cumin powder
– Black salt
– Ice cubes
2. **Instructions**:
– Split the ripe Bael fruit and extract the pulp.
– Soak the pulp in a cup of water for a few minutes and mash it with your hands.
– Strain to eliminate the seeds and blend the pulp until smooth.
– Incorporate sugar or jaggery, roasted cumin powder, a pinch of black salt, and chilled water into the blended pulp. Mix thoroughly.
– Serve in tall glasses with ice cubes.
#### Where to Find Maredu
Dried Bael fruit, or Maredu, can be sourced at local Ayurveda medical shops. In Vizag, it is available at Pachipulusu Venkata Sannaiah & Sons and Sri Sambasiva Ayurvedic Centre in Kurupam Market. Furthermore, Maredu drinks are frequently sold by juice vendors in the Kurupam Market vicinity.
### Conclusion
Bel Ka Sharbat is not just a delightful summer beverage but also a nutritious choice filled with health benefits. Regardless of whether you decide to prepare it from dried or ripe Bael fruit, this refreshing drink is guaranteed to keep you cool and hydrated throughout the warm months.