Bel ka sharbat | Glutenfreewhisk

 Summer means some naturally cooling fruits that will not only refresh you but will keep you satiated for the longest time if you have just one glass of bel ka juice. This is episode six of summer recipes and sharing this amazing bel ka juice or bel ka sharbat is an absolute pleasure. Honestly speaking this is my first try and this is my first time having bel ka sharbat and yes, this fruit is something. So sweet naturally that there is no need of adding any sugar. 

I am using a combination of both mint leaves and Tulsi leaves because both of these goes really well with bel fruit and adds a good refreshing note to the sharbat. I have frozen my mint leaves in ice cubes by roughly tearing them and placing them in ice cube mould. Followed by adding fresh water and freezing them. You can add both the leaves just like that by roughly chopping them and add ice cubes separately.

I got my bel fruit from my neighbor twice. Once they were not fit to use as they were cracked and hence brown from inside with a rotten smell but the second time, they were perfect. Tiny, sweet and a little brown with jelly like sticky thing inside with seeds and pulp. The site is not very enticing, but the taste is definitely good. Also, one should avoid consuming unripe bel fruit as it can cause digestive issues.

When you bring even 1 ripe bel at home trust me your house will be so fragrant with a sweet, fruity and amazingly delicious aroma that will make you happy for sure. And yes, you can consume that transparent sticky part that is inside the bel fruit. Once you add the pulp in water you won't feel the stickiness at all. Scoop out all the pulp using a big spoon or spatula or your hand and put it in water. It is even easy to break the bel fruit. Use the rolling pin. A few beats did it for me.

Bel fruit or wood apple has many health benefits and is especially good in protecting the liver. Helps in detoxification of liver and people with fatty liver are known to have seen considerable positive changes. Although people with blood pressure issues and diabetics should be careful of the amount of bel fruit or bel ka sharbat you are consuming. Bel fruit is also rich in antioxidants and has high anti-inflammatory properties thus it is a great summer fruit to be enjoyed.

The other recipes in my summer recipe series are a few mango recipes for summer because again it is a summer fruit and loved by many. Try my guilt free creamy mango ice cream or my Mexican salsa inspired mango salsa recipe that is tangy summery and these both recipes are perfect party friendly recipes. Loquat, another beautiful and beneficial fruit that is available during summer season and I have made loquat chutney out of it is another must try. So, make the most of summer fruits and get yourself the best summer recipes.

If you ate looking for some coffee drinks this summer that will help you cool down during this hot summer days, then check my coconut coffee with mulberry recipe which is just perfect to beat the heat. Try it with blueberries, cherries or just the coconut water coffee and see for yourself why this is so viral and trending coffee recipe. Another great coffee drink to try is iced strawberry coffee with sago pearls that will become your favorite summer drink instantly.

If you are looking for a perfect glass to serve bel ka juice in check these Skodinax glass mug with a bamboo lid and straw, these are handy and can be used for all summer drink recipes and even smoothies. I have served my bel ka sharbat in beer mugs you can check these Agaro beer mug, set of 2, 397 ml each. They are great for mocktails, cocktails and fresh juices.

INGREDIENTS - 

2 small bel fruit pulp

Fresh mint leaves ice cubes

Regular ice cubes

8-10 Tulsi leaves

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tsp black salt

2 tsp roasted cumin powder

2 small Tulsi spring, for garnish

half a liter cold water

MEHTOD - 

1. In a glass bowl take water and add the fresh bel fruit or wood apple pulp. Allow it to sit immersed in water for minimum of 15-20 minutes.

2. Now, use your hand to mash the pulp out. Strain everything using a sieve.

3. In this strained bel juice, add lemon juice, black salt, roasted cumin powder, ice cubes, mint ice cubes, roughly torn Tulsi leaves and mix it all up.

4. Serve in tall glasses garnishing with Tulsi Spring and indulge.

Note - Both mint and Tulsi leaves are optional but recommended as they add freshness to the bel ka sharbat. A lot of people add sugar etc. but I haven't because my bel was perfectly sweet and no additional sugar was necessary.

Check the full recipe on YouTube (Gluten_free_whisk) - Bel ka sharbat recipe.

Bel ka sharbat | Glutenfreewhisk