The tea market is striking in its diversity. Here you can find not only the usual black and green varieties. Recently, the assortment has replenished with a huge number of exotic species, including Thai tea matum.
The fruits of the Bail tree: historical facts
The Hindustan Peninsula is the birthplace of the bail tree, which bears other names: a wooden or stone apple, a matum. Its fruits are used to make healing tea. Mention of the healing properties of the plant can be found in the ancient treatises of the Ayuverdas medical system, which were written in Sanskrit. The fruits of the bail were used as wholesome food, and were also used in medical practice.
Over time, the plant spread to other regions of South Asia, including Thailand.
Plant description
Bail tree is a representative of the root family. Its fruits are considered very good for health, so the people of Thailand make them tea matum.
The appearance of the fruit resembles an apple or quince. The diameter is approximately equal to 20 cm. The color scheme varies from gray-green to tan. The fruits have a rough and dense peel, in its structure it can be compared with a nutshell. If you open an unripe fruit, the flesh of the fruit will be divided into segments of orange color. The bones are white. In a mature fetus, the flesh has a sticky structure and is colored brown. Ripe sweet and sour fruit.
Where are the fruits used?
The plant is cultivated in many Asian countries:
- Sri Lanka.
- Thailand.
- Malaysia.
- India.
- Indonesia.
Quite often, the tree can be found in the wild.
The fruits have a very hard shell, which is why the plant is often called a stone or wooden apple. Without special devices, it is very difficult to open them.
The fruits are used in the production of a variety of foods and drinks. They make ice cream, fruit drinks and jams, fruit salads. But Matum tea, which uses the dried fruits of the bail tree, was especially popular. Buying these fruits fresh in the Thai markets is almost unrealistic. Fruits are sold either in dried form or as tea.
Beneficial features
The fruits of the Bail tree, as noted in Ayurveda, are among the ten most useful. Diseases such as diarrhea, a stomach and duodenal ulcer, dysentery, and other digestive disorders were cured using matum tea. Plant properties are really unique:
- Fruits contain a huge amount of healthy minerals, as well as vitamins.
- A drink of dried fruit of the bail tree helps restore intestinal motility, normalize the digestive tract. Such a remedy is effective for pain in the stomach, swelling, colic and diarrhea.
- Matum tea has an anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect, so it is used to treat colds. They treat bronchitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis and other diseases of the respiratory tract.
- Dried fruits positively affect the work of the cardiovascular system, improve immune processes in the body.
- A heavy smoker will clear his lungs of nicotine if he regularly consumes mathum tea.
Useful properties contain not only the fruits of the Bail tree. For many centuries, South Asians have used the bark, roots and leaves of this plant for medical purposes.
Vitamins and Minerals
Matum fruits include important trace elements and vitamins necessary for normal human life:
- Iron. This substance is responsible for the enrichment of the body with oxygen. Its lack leads to diseases such as anemia.
- Calcium. This is a fairly important trace element that affects bone formation, is involved in blood coagulation and in the metabolism of carbohydrates, water and sodium chloride. The lack of substance provokes the development of osteoporosis, leads to deterioration of the teeth, impairs memory and increases nervousness.
- Phosphorus. This trace element is an integral part of ATP, the acid responsible for metabolic processes in the human body. Phosphorus is part of DNA and RNA, which are carriers of genetic information, is involved in the formation of bone and dental tissues.
- Vitamin C. Helps fight various infections and prevents vitamins from entering the body to be oxidized.
- Vitamin A is a regulator of immune processes.
Matum tea, due to its unique properties, has become very popular in Thailand and beyond. Many tourists who have visited this country, returning from vacation, bring it as a presentation to their friends and relatives. Indeed, this is a great gift, as this drink is not only tasty, but also healthy.
Brewing Methods
Buying tea leaves made from exotic fruit is not all. You need to know how to make matum tea. How to brew a drink, consider in more detail.
There are several ways to cook:
- Take 2-3 slices of dried fruit and pour 1 liter of boiling water. Infuse the drink for 20-30 minutes.
- Pour 1 liter of water into the pan. Add 3-4 pieces of matum tea. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
- Put one slice of the exotic fruit into a 200-300 ml cup. Pour boiling water into the container and let it brew for 5-7 minutes.
The taste of tea is pleasant and sweet, a bit like an infusion of licorice root. A scent with subtle notes of vanilla and cinnamon. To give the drink a more refined taste, mint, lime or lemon is added to it. You can sweeten tea with sugar or honey.
In the hot period, it is customary to add several pieces of ice to the drink.
Contraindications
Matum tea from Thailand is useful for both adults and children. The only contraindication to taking the drink is individual intolerance to the fruit.
Benefits for pregnant women and children
Since the fruits of the Bail tree contain important, useful trace elements and vitamins, it is recommended to drink the drink from them for pregnant women. Tea will help strengthen the body of the expectant mother and baby.
For the full development of the baby requires a huge amount of trace elements and vitamins, which he borrows from the mother's body. Tea matum will help replenish their reserves.
The bail fruits contain calcium, which is so necessary for the formation of the skeleton and bone tissue of the child. However, the lack of this microelement leads to the fact that a woman's condition of teeth and hair worsens, brittle nails occur. Pregnant women are not just able to - they need to drink mathum (tea).
Beverage Reviews
Many of our compatriots who have tried the action of Thai tea leave only positive reviews about this drink. Its unusual taste qualities, as well as its positive properties, are highly appreciated. Most consumers say that tea is very effective for colds. After several drinks, an improvement in the patient's condition is observed. Tea also has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and helps strengthen the immune system.
Other popular teas from Thailand
The Thai people are very fond of various teas that have an exotic taste (in any case, for citizens of Russia and Europe). Consider the most popular drinks in this country:
- Ginseng tea. This drink has a specific taste and aroma. But, according to Thais, it has a rejuvenating effect and helps to keep the body in good shape. Ginseng tea has a beneficial effect on vision and blood formation, and helps to improve memory. Thai doctors recommend drinking this drink in order to improve immunity.
- Oolong This is green tea. The drink has a creamy aroma and a light milky tinge on the palate. It is not recommended to add spices or sugar to it, as tea will lose its natural zest. Although the drink has a mild taste and a light sweet aftertaste, it is a powerful stimulant. It is recommended for people involved in sports.
- Lemongrass. This drink has antidepressant and analgesic properties. It is brewed from dried tea leaves and lemon sorghum. The finished drink has a lemon aroma, and there are notes of lemon-coffee mixture and spices in the taste. Served cold.
- Thai blue tea. This exotic drink is made from orchid leaves. Tea has a unique blue tint. Its beneficial properties include blood cleansing, improving memory, maintaining tone and improving vision.
- Jasmine tea. The composition of the drink includes jasmine petals and leaves of young green tea. The smell is a bit sweet, but the taste is astringent. The drink helps to relax, helps with neurosis, insomnia and depression.