Bael Tea Recipe (Nam Matoom)

Name: Bael Tea Recipe (Nam Matoom)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 3.5 oz or 1/2 cup bael fruit (sliced); 2 cups water; 1/4 cup natural cane sugar (add to taste); 1/2 teaspoon salt; ice cubes (as needed, optional)

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This bael tea recipe is so simple and totally delicious. Whether you need a cool, healthy drink for hot days or something warm to sip in the winter, nam matoom is easy to make and perfect for any season.

A cup of bael tea and a tall glass of chilled bael juice.

Living in Thailand means dealing with hot temperatures almost every day. That’s why our food markets have lots of refreshing drinks, usually with crushed ice on top.

Thai tea is the most popular drink, but it’s not the healthiest. Just like pandan drink and pennywort drink, this bael juice drink is a delicious and healthier option that’s perfect for any time of the day.

What is bael juice

Bael juice is a refreshing and healthy drink made from the bael fruit. It’s popular in Indian and Thai cuisine for its sweet taste and aroma. This traditional drink is full of vitamins and is great for staying hydrated in a healthy way.

In English, bael fruit is referred to as wood apple. The fruit is known for its hard shell and soft interior. Inside, it has a sweet, aromatic pulp that’s often used in making delicious beverages.

The taste of bael juice, or wood apple juice, is difficult to describe – it’s a bit sweet with a hint of bitterness and a unique fragrant aroma.

Nam matoom

In Thailand, bael fruit tea is called nam matoom. Nam means water or drink in Thai, and matoom refers to the bael fruit. So, ‘nam matoom’ translates to bael drink or bael fruit drink.

It’s a popular and beverage popular in Thailand for its many health benefits. You can enjoy it chilled from the fridge, with a bit of ice, or warm during colder winter days.

Chilled bael drink in a tall glass and bael tea in a tea cup.

With the burning heat we’ve been experiencing in Thailand over the last few days, I’ve been making big batches of herbal teas!

When I make herbal drinks like roselle juice and nam matoom, I prefer making a large amount all at once and storing it in the fridge using a glass drink dispenser. That way, I’ll have some delicious chilled drink for the days to come.

This bael tea recipe is super quick and easy to make. You can adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste, whether you prefer a healthier option or something a bit sweeter.

Ingredients

Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Bael fruit – Bael fruit’s pulp gives the tea a unique, slightly sweet flavor that’s delicious and refreshing.
Natural cane sugar – Makes the tea sweet and delicious. Add more or less to taste. You can use honey as an alternative.
Water – The sliced fruit is cooked in water to extract its liquid, which forms the base of the bael fruit tea.
Salt – Enhances the flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
Ice cubes (optional) – For a chilled drink during warm days.

How to make bael fruit tea

Step 1: In a medium pot, bring water to a simmer over medium heat. Add in your bael fruit slices and let them cook for 20 minutes to release their flavors.

Step 2: Stir in the sugar and salt until the sugar completely dissolved. Give it a taste and add more sugar if you like it sweeter.

Step 3: Use a strainer to pour the bael juice into your favorite tea cup for a warm drink, or over a tall glass filled with ice for a cool refreshment. Enjoy!

Kitchenware

Saucepan with stirrer for simmering the bael fruit
Measuring spoons and cups
Strainer

Storing bael juice

Pour your leftover bael fruit tea into an airtight container or a glass bottle. Store it in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.

You can either enjoy it chilled or gently heat it in a saucepan over low heat until it’s the right temperature for you.

Bael tea benefits

According to Kerala Ayurveda, bael fruit juice, or bel juice, is great for your stomach. It’s full of tannins, which fight bacteria and fungus, so it’s good for indigestion and diarrhea and has lots of fiber too.

When it’s hot in the summer and your tummy feels funny, bael juice can boost your appetite and make you feel less tired while cooling you down.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink bael juice while pregnant?

It’s generally safe to drink bael juice while pregnant, but it’s always best to consult with your doctor first due to individual health considerations.

What is bael juice made of?

Bael juice is made from the pulp of bael fruit, mixed with water and sometimes sweetened with sugar or honey.

Can I drink bel juice on an empty stomach?

Drinking bael juice on an empty stomach can be beneficial for digestion and stomach protection due to its antioxidants and enzymes. Yet, consuming it in excess or right after eating may cause stomach upset because of its sugar and acidity levels.

Thai drink recipes

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