A direct synthetic route for hierarchical Beta zeolite has been developed via steam-assisted crystallization (SAC) of carbon-silica composite monolith. SEM and TEM observations show that Hier-Beta zeolites are rough spheres (diameter: 500-600 nm), composed of connected nanoparticles and have single crystallinity. Deep investigation shows that the growth of the zeolite spheres undergo a reverse crystal growth route - surface-to-core crystallization. Such materials demonstrate the greatly enhanced catalytic activity in the dehydration of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), because of the intracrystalline mesoporous structure and efficient diffusion of reactant/product molecules. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.