Ms. Lê Thị Ánh Trinh
Natural aloe vera with basil seeds is a refreshing and cooling drink that helps combat the summer heat. With just 5 ingredients, you can have this icy drink ready in minutes. Save this recipe and try it soon!
1. Ingredients
As the name suggests, the main ingredients of this drink are natural aloe vera and basil seeds. But to make it even tastier, you’ll need a few optional ingredients:
Pandan leaves
Rock sugar (using rock sugar instead of regular granulated sugar gives the drink a milder sweetness and a better taste)
Red dates (optional)
2. Preparing the Natural Aloe Vera
This is the most time-consuming but also the most important step because it removes the bitterness and any toxins from the aloe. So don’t skip it.
Rinse the aloe and cut it into 5-10cm pieces. Trim the sharp edges, then gently slide a spoon between the skin and the flesh to remove the green outer layer. After peeling one side, score the flesh in a crisscross pattern (like you would with a mango), then gently cut along the remaining skin to get small aloe cubes.
Put the aloe cubes in a strainer under strong running water to wash away the slime and any leftover dirt. Then soak them in water mixed with salt and lemon for 20 minutes. This step helps get rid of any slime that water alone won’t clear away.
After 20 minutes, take the aloe out and rinse it well to wash off the salty, sour taste. Next, quickly blanch the aloe in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then lift it out.
After blanching, drop the aloe into ice water and soak it for about 5 minutes to keep it crunchy. Drain well, and you can start making natural aloe vera with basil seeds.
If you don’t have time or find the preparation steps too complicated, you can use pre-prepared aloe instead. It’s just as fresh and tasty as raw aloe, but far more convenient, and saves you plenty of effort.
3. Make the Natural Aloe Vera with Basil Seeds Drink
Fill a pot about two-thirds full with water, then add the rock sugar and pandan leaves. Heat it over medium.
When the sugar has fully dissolved, add the red dates and cook for 5-7 minutes. Once they turn soft, add the diced aloe and simmer for another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
Meanwhile, soak the basil seeds in a little water to let them bloom.
After turning off the heat, take the pot off the stove and pour in the soaked basil seeds. Stir well, and enjoy!
4. Time to Enjoy!
You can enjoy this drink either hot or cold, depending on your preference.
If you prefer it warm, let the drink cool slightly after cooking, and enjoy it while it’s still pleasantly warm. If you want it cold, add some ice to chill it quickly or keep it in the fridge for a few hours before drinking.
Once it’s ready, the aloe vera drink with basil seeds has a natural sweetness from the red dates and a pleasant, easy-to-enjoy flavor. The crunchy aloe pieces and basil seeds make each sip more enjoyable. Taking a sip with a red date on a hot summer afternoon is pure comfort.
This recipe is recommended by GC Food, a VietGAP- and GlobalGAP-certified aloe vera producer. Our aloe is grown on our own farms and processed in a safe, closed system from start to finish, so customers can trust its quality. We also offer a variety of natural aloe vera products and flavors to suit different needs.
To learn more about GC Food and find helpful information about aloe vera, visit our About Us page today.
This article is written by the GC Food team – experts in natural ingredients.
