Aloe Vera Summer Treat!

It has been smouldering hot for the last couple of weeks! Cold drink is not my thing, even in this hot weather. Occasional sip or a can that I share with my hubby, that is about it. 

We have this huge aloe vera in KL home, and the baby shoot that we planted next to the "mother" is growing pretty well too. The mother plant is really getting huge, and that day I decided to can up some aloe as treats for the hot weather since constant "ice-creaming" is not really a choice, even in this hot weather. 

Steps are pretty straight forward, just one step of prep work, and we would be roaring to go!

• Get a slice of aloe vera from your garden or the market. Slice off a small portion of the bottom of the leave and leave it standing on a mug or bowl for at least two hours. I usually cut mine from the garden in the evening after dinner and leave it to stand till the following morning. This would help to drain off the sap that causes the bitterness. 

• Cut off the lower portion of the leaf where the yellowish-brownish sap sticks to after the standing. Slice along the edges to remove the thorns and start to slice off the leave in any fashion that works best for you, and leave you with just the centre aloe vera pulp. 

• Rinse the aloe vera pulp slightly, the gel is fine. Throw all the pulp into a container, squeeze half a fresh lemon in and stir well. Adjust the lemony taste to your preference. Honey and mint leave can also be added. For those who like slightly stronger tea like earl grey, make half a cup of concentrated tea. After it cools, add in and stir well. Add and minus the flavouring (lemon, honey, mint leave etc) according to your preference. 

• Leave it overnight in the fridge for the aloe vera pulp to absorb the flavour. Thereafter, eat it on its own. Or add some to a glass of ice tea!

This can be a very healthy treat as long as honey is not being ladle in. Try to work with small spoon, and not use sugar. If honey is added, your tea would be sweetened too. I like to add some of these to my hot tea too :) 

Enjoy!