What Does Aloe Vera (And Aloe Vera Juice) Taste Like?
Aloe vera can be found in many different forms, fresh as a plant, processed into a juice, or even as a body cream or skin treatment.
However popular aloe vera might be, many of us do not know much about it, and haven’t experienced it properly in its true form.
What does aloe vera taste like? The gel-like flesh inside of aloe vera might seem interesting to try out, but the general consensus is that aloe vera from the source is bitter and acrid, and is not a very pleasant taste at all. However, it can be prepared in various ways to taste better!
To find out more about the taste and texture of aloe vera, as well as what aloe vera juice is like, read on to discover all you need to know!
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that does well in desert climates.
Traditionally, aloe vera is used as a remedy for a wide range of ailments, with the gel form being what is used the most.
The cooling gel can be used for many things, such as soothing burns (especially sunburns) or helping with digestive issues.
When aloe vera is used as a remedy or prepared for eating, the gel-like flesh is removed from inside the plant — this is what is made into medicine, ointment, juice, or food.
What Does Aloe Vera Taste Like?
Aloe vera is an acquired taste, although most people never acquire the taste for it since it is so strong and pretty unenjoyable.
In its raw form, aloe vera is bitter, and acrid, and tastes somewhere between battery acid and fresh spinach. It still has fresh, green flavors, but the bitterness is something that is really hard to get past.
Other than the bitterness, there is some sweetness to aloe vera, which usually shows up once the bitterness has broken through.
Some people notice the sweetness more than others, and these are usually the people who do not mind the taste of aloe vera!
The flavor of aloe vera is not one that many people would choose to enjoy straight from the plant, but the benefits it offers make it desirable.
To make up for this, it is often made into a drink or some sort of food, where the flavor is hidden by other ingredients.
What Is The Texture Of Aloe Vera?
The part of aloe vera that is most consumed is the gel found on the inside. The outside of the aloe vera (the skin) has a slightly crunchy flavor and can be enjoyed in a salad or eaten on its own.
The inside of the aloe vera (the gel) has quite a unique texture. The word “gel” describes it quite well, but it is also in somewhat of a solid state, like a gel that has set. It can be cut into cubes, or it can be scraped and used in a gel-like form.
Overall, aloe vera has a crunchy, light skin with gelatinous flesh that is easy to slice and cut into.
How To Eat Aloe Vera
It is safe to eat aloe vera, but you do need to make sure that you prepare it properly first.
Aloe vera is made up of three parts: the outer skin, the gel, and the latex layer in between.
The first part you might want to try to eat is the outer skin of the aloe vera. To prepare the skin, you simply need to cut the spiky edges off of the top and the sides and slice the skin away from the flesh.
You can then soak the skin in water for up to 20 minutes to make it softer and easier to chew. The skin is great added to salads or used to dip into hummus and other dips.
Next, you can prepare the gel.
To prepare the gel, you would need to cut away the spiky bits on the top and side of the aloe vera leaf and then remove the skin. Once the skin is removed, you can remove the clear gel and slice it up, or cut it into small cubes.
Once cut into small cubes, you should then wash it under running water. This not only helps to remove dirt and debris, but it helps to remove the layer of latex.
There is a layer of latex found in aloe vera that is yellow in color. This has a very unpleasant taste, and it can even work as a laxative if too much is eaten. Washing this away from the aloe vera makes it much more enjoyable, and safer, to eat.
You can then prepare and eat the gel cubes however you want, as long as you have washed them first!
What Does Aloe Vera Juice Taste Like?
As the flavor of aloe vera isn’t very appealing to many, but the benefits are, there are some great ways to enjoy it that are actually quite tasty!
One of the best aloe vera creations yet is aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice is made with extract from aloe vera, whether liquid or gel pieces, as well as water or juice and other various flavors.
The aloe vera juice will take on the flavor of the ingredients it is made with, along with some of the slight sweetness, bitterness, and freshness of the aloe vera gel.
There are some simple flavors, even regular aloe vera water, which is plain and not very flavored at all but still refreshing with the slight flavors of aloe vera.
Then, you get the flavored aloe vera juices. This is aloe vera juice, and even gel pieces, mixed in with other flavors such as cucumber, lemon, orange, watermelon, and so much more. These are all mild and fruity and wonderfully refreshing!
What Is The Texture Of Aloe Vera Juice?
The texture of aloe vera juice will depend on the type you have bought. There are two main options to choose from. The first is just a liquid, which is just the same as drinking a bottle of water or juice, without any added bits.
The second is aloe vera juice with gel pieces included. There are small pieces of aloe vera gel in the drink which are small enough to drink along with the liquid, but they do add some texture and depth.
Some brands of aloe vera juice include aloe gel as well as chia seeds or basil seeds, which add even more texture to the drink.
Whether you like smooth aloe vera juice or the juice with bits, it is a great drink to enjoy, for the flavor and for the benefits you get from the aloe vera!
How To Make Aloe Vera Taste Better
If you have some aloe vera at home or have managed to pick up some leaves to try, you might be wanting to get the benefits it offers, but not have to deal with the bitter flavor.
To prepare the aloe vera, make sure to remove the latex, as described above. The latex gel is not only responsible for a lot of the bitter flavor, but it can also be dangerous if you ingest too much.
Next, you can try to balance out the bitterness of the aloe vera by adding some citrus to it. Citrus, and acidic ingredients, work to cut down on the bitterness. You could choose to use lime, lemon, or oranges.
Alternatively, you could blend the gel of the aloe vera with some honey, cranberry juice, or fresh fruits, to make a drink or smoothie to enjoy.
You can experiment with different flavors and ingredients when figuring out how best to enjoy aloe vera, whether it is in meal form or juice form.
Final Thoughts
Aloe vera, just the gel on its own, is primarily bitter and acrid — it does have some sweetness and freshness to it, but it really isn’t the best-tasting thing around.
For many, the benefits of aloe vera are worth eating it, but there are some ways to make it a more enjoyable meal or drink!
Aloe vera juice is one way that many people enjoy consuming aloe vera, with the gel mixed in with fruit juices and sweeteners to make it taste much better.
If you do enjoy the flavor of aloe vera on its own, or if you are wanting to prepare some aloe vera at home, then make sure to prepare it properly by removing the latex from the gel by washing it under cold water to make it safe to eat.
Related Questions
Now that we’ve learned all about aloe vera and aloe vera juice, here are some additional questions that we thought you might have.
Is aloe vera more sweet or bitter?
Aloe vera is more bitter than sweet, but the level of bitterness also depends on where the plant has been grown, and the variety.
Can you eat raw aloe vera?
You can eat raw aloe vera, but the yellow latex needs to be removed fully before the aloe is eaten. This has a bitter flavor and can act as a laxative.
Is aloe vera juice healthy?
Aloe vera juice is healthy in the way that it provides you with the benefits of aloe vera, but many contain a lot of sugar and other additives that should be consumed in moderation.
There are sources on the internet warning of aloe vera toxicity, saying some species are poisonous and to make sure you are eating / drinking the one that is okay.