Making aloe vera juice from the plant involves a few simple steps to extract the beneficial gel and turn it into a drinkable juice.
Steps to Make Aloe Vera Juice
Here's how to make aloe vera juice using fresh aloe vera leaves:
- Obtain an Aloe Vera Leaf: You can purchase aloe vera leaves from stores like Whole Foods or Jimbo's (if you are in San Diego).
- Wash and Chop the Leaf: Rinse the aloe vera leaf thoroughly and chop it in half.
- Chop Aloe Vera and Blend: Chop the aloe vera gel and blend it, preferably with some lemon juice.
- Strain the Juice: Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag to remove any pulp or solids.
Detailed Breakdown:
-
Buying Aloe Vera: The first step is acquiring a fresh aloe vera leaf. Look for healthy, firm leaves.
-
Cleaning and Preparing:
- Wash the leaf to remove any dirt or debris.
- Carefully slice off the outer green skin of the aloe vera leaf, removing the aloin (the bitter, yellowish liquid between the gel and the skin). Aloin can cause digestive upset.
- Scoop out the clear aloe vera gel.
-
Blending: Place the aloe vera gel in a blender. To improve the taste, add:
- Lemon juice (as mentioned in the steps).
- Water (to achieve desired consistency).
- Other fruits or sweeteners (optional).
-
Straining: As the final step, strain the blended mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth to remove any remaining pulp, resulting in a smoother juice.
