Aloe Vera Drink and Slush Recipes

I like to take a trip to an Asian market even though it takes me more than 30 minutes to get there.  I always have a good time, and I do not know why.  I assume like that because I always spend almost an hour at the market which is not normal.  I usually stay at the local grocery stores around my house around half an hour.  I walk through every aisle and look at products on those shelves.  When I see products that I have known or use, I feel good.  I feel like home (Thailand).

One of my favorite aisles is the snacks lane.  In that lane, it has aloe vera drinks.  There are many brands to choose from. I like whichever brand contains pulp.  It is the best part of the drink.  I would read the nutrition facts and compare each of them and pick the one that has less sugar in it.

Sometimes, when I go to grocery store, I saw the whole aloe vera leaves on sale.  I was wondering what people would do with it.  Do they need that much of aloe vera to cure a sunburn, I don't think so.   I went back home and did some research about it.  I found that it could be used to make candy, desserts, and drinks.  Including, the kind of drink that I like.  I was eager to make my aloe vera drink myself because that way I can control the amount of sugar in my drink.

Aloe Vera Nutriotion Value and Possible Toxicity

The nutrition in aloe vera shouts out for attention from so many people. It contains vitamin A, C, D, E, B, B-1, B-2, Choline, B12, and Folic Acid. It also carries a load of minerals that are essential for our body including Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, and Zinc. That is not it; aloe vera contains 20 of the 22 human required amino acids including 7 of 8 essential ones.  Aloe vera has such abundant health benefits but it also contains a toxin called "Aloin." Aloin is a yellow rubberish substant on the aloe vera. It is necessary to remove the aloin before consume the aloe vera pulp.

To Prepare the Aloe Vera

1. Start with cut each side of the aloe vera leaf to get rid of those pricks.
2. Cut the leaf about 1-2 inch.

3. Stab in the middle of a piece of aloe vera (at the pulp) with a fork.
4. Use a knife to cut out the skin.

5. Wash or soak in water for few minutes.
At this step, the aloe vera is still slippery; which is fine. As long as the yellow aloin is gone, it is good.
6. Cut aloe vera gels into small cubes. Wash and drain.

I cooked my aloe vera pulp with a mixture of water and Truvia.  I love to have my pulp with a little sweet taste (and to make sure I killed the aloin).  There are two recipes on this post, and they both have the same ingredients.  One is the aloe vera slush, and another one is aloe vera drink.

Choose the one you would like to try or make both versions and please let me know how it turns out.  Cheers!

According to the nutrition fact on caloriecount.com, the Aloe Vera Drinks recipe on here has more than 50% less calories and sugar than the ones that are selling at Asian grocery stores.