Aloe vera has long been known as an ingredient that’s both healthy and easy to turn into delicious treats. In this guide, you will learn an easy way to make aloe jelly right at home, along with a few recipe ideas and fresh twists that can make your family’s menu more exciting.
1. What is Aloe Vera Jelly?
Aloe vera jelly is made from clear gel found inside aloe leaves. The soft, transparent flesh is cut into small pieces, soaked, cooked, then mixed with sugar to create a faint, sweet, but refreshing taste. Even after processing, the jelly still keeps most of the natural goodness from aloe that’s beneficial for health.
Natural aloe vera itself is a succulent with thick, juicy leaves full of sap. For thousands of years, people have used aloe vera gel as a natural remedy for soothing the skin, helping small wounds heal faster.
1.1 Nutritional value of aloe jelly
Inside aloe leaves, you will find plenty of antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins, plus even a tiny amount of vitamin B12. The clear aloe vera gel itself is made up of about 99% water, which helps hydrate the body while also being especially good for the skin.
On top of that, the polysaccharides and amino acids in natural aloe help support gut health, which boosts overall wellness.
1.2 The popularity of Aloe jelly in the F&B industry
In the food world, aloe vera has been turned into many creative dishes, one of the most loved being aloe vera jelly. This ingredient shows up all the time in bubble tea shops across Asia, alongside pearls, coconut jelly, plus popping boba. In recent years, it has also started gaining fans in the U.S. as well as Europe.
Unlike traditional boba pearls, which are soft and chewy, aloe jelly comes in small, crunchy cubes that bring a cool, refreshing bite to milk teas and fruit beverages. For those seeking a lighter and more wholesome topping, aloe jelly is an excellent choice to explore.
2. How to make aloe vera jelly
2.1 Ingredients you will need
The main ingredient is a fresh aloe vera leaf, about 60 cm long. If you’re using aloe from your own garden, make sure to carefully remove the yellow sap near the base of the leaf, since it can cause irritation.
2.2 How to make it
Step 1: Rinse the aloe leaf well, then cut it into smaller sections.
Step 2: Use a knife to carefully remove the thick green skin, keeping only the clear gel inside. Slice the gel into small cubes, about 1 cm each.
Step 3: At first, the gel pieces will feel slimy. To reduce this, cut off both ends of the leaf and stand it upright in a bowl so the yellow sap can drain out for about 15 minutes. Then soak the cubes in cold water for 15 minutes and rinse them several times (sometimes even 10 times or more) until the slimy feeling is gone.
Tip: If you buy aloe vera from the supermarket, this step is often not needed since the leaves are usually pre-cleaned.
Step 4: Once the cubes are clean, boil them for about 10 minutes. Drain, then rinse with cold water a few more times.
Step 5: Place the aloe cubes in a mixing bowl, add sugar on top, and stir until the pieces are well coated. Allow the mixture to sit for at least an hour, or leave it overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
During this time, the cubes will soak up the sweetness and turn into cool, fresh, crystal-clear jelly bites that are ready to enjoy.
2.3 A few small tips
Aloe vera jelly tastes best when prepared the day before and left in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the pieces to fully absorb the sugar, giving them a subtle sweetness and more aroma. If you notice syrup forming after marinating, simply use the jelly pieces and discard the liquid.
Moreover, you don’t have to stick with sugar. Honey, flavored syrups, or other natural sweeteners can also be used. Just note that these swaps may change the overall taste a little.
Additionally, if you want a healthier dessert or refreshing drink, be mindful of the sweetness level and consider reducing or even omitting sugar.
2.4 Storage Method
Keep aloe vera jelly in a sealed bowl covered with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to use, simply thaw the jelly gradually by leaving it overnight in the fridge.
3. What can Aloe Vera jelly be paired with?
After being soaked for flavor, aloe jelly can be combined with a variety of refreshing drinks such as fruit tea, milk tea, iced matcha, or peach lemongrass tea. Its crunchy, cooling texture adds a fun twist to any beverage.
Beyond tea, you can also add it to iced lattes, milk coffee, iced cocoa, or fruit juices like lemonade, apple, blueberry, etc. Thanks to its flavor & health benefits, this crunchy jelly has become a favorite choice for many people.
4. Ready-to-enjoy Aloe Vera jelly products from GC Food
If you’re busy and prefer something quick & tasty, GC Food’s aloe vera jelly is the perfect pick. Made with a high-quality process, each product retains the fresh flavor and curious texture that everyone loves.
Aloe Vera with Pandan Flavor - Light and fragrant, it brings a natural green scent and a faint sweetness.
Aloe Vera with Lychee Flavor - Mildly sweet and juicy, this version gives you a cooling, pleasant taste.
Aloe Vera with Bird’s Nest Flavor - A special combination of crunchy aloe and the aroma of bird’s nest, offering a fresh, unique choice with its variety.
Sugar-Free Aloe Vera - Keeps the natural crispness and mild sweetness of aloe, ideal for people on a diet or anyone watching their sugar intake.
In addition, GC Food also offers Aloe Vera in Syrup - Aloe cubes preserved in sugar syrup. This product is designed as a versatile ingredient, widely used by milk tea shops, F&B brands, and dessert manufacturers to easily incorporate aloe into their own creations.
All in all, aloe vera jelly is easy to make at home with some easy-to-find ingredients. But whether you prepare it yourself or choose safe, high-quality products like GC Food’s, you can always enjoy the full natural goodness for better health.