Most people know aloe vera as an ingredient in moisturizers and lotions, but did you know you can eat it too? The fresh kind, not the stuff from the beauty aisle.
I grow aloe vera at home because it thrives in the hot Sacramento sun. My plants grow big and tall, and they’re such showstoppers that my neighbors often ask for a leaf or two.
It’s great to have on hand for sunburns or when the Sacramento bugs and mosquitos decide to eat me alive.
Although you can eat aloe vera gel fresh, I’ll show you how to prepare it at home for adding to your favorite boba drinks. I’ll also show you the easiest way to cube it without the slippery, slimy mess.
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera (nha dam in Vietnamese) is a succulent with thick leaves and spikes along the sides. The inside is filled with a gel is naturally cooling with a mild taste.
Freshly cut aloe is extremely slimy. But when prepared the right way, it turns into chewy, jelly-like cubes that are a healthy and refreshing option for a boba drink topping.
What You Will Need
- Fresh aloe vera leaves – Aloe vera is very easy to grow but you can also find them at Asian grocery stores or in the produce section of larger supermarkets.
- Bowl of water – For soaking and draining out the yellow latex (bitter sap).
- Medium colander – To drain and rinse the cubes thoroughly.
- Sharp knife – For trimming, filleting, and cutting the gel into cubes. A thin flexible knife works best.
- Small pot – For blanching the aloe cubes to get rid of the slim.
How to Make it
Step 1: Soak the open end
After cutting the leaf, place the open end in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes to drain out the bitter yellow sap. If you bought the leaf from the store, the cut end has likely sealed, so slice it open again before soaking.
Step 2: Filet it like a fish – only one side
Slice away the green skin on just one side, using the tail end as a holder.
Trim off the spiny edges on both sides.
With one side of skin still attached, slice the gel into small cubes without cutting all the way through.
To do this, first, run the tip of your knife horizontally along the length of the gel. Then, switch to a 45° angle and make vertical cuts to form small cubes.
Gently filet the other side so the cubes loosen, then lift the whole leaf to transfer the cubes into a bowl.
Step 3: Rinse
Rinse the cubes under cold running water until they are no longer slimy. Transfer the cubes to a colander to let any remaining sap drain.
Step 4: Blanch
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the cubes and cook for 1 minute. Drain into colander and rinse again under cold water.
Step 5: Serve
Store in an airtight container as is (my preference), or store it in syrup or toss with a bit of sugar.
It will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to use, add them to your favorite boba drinks and enjoy!
Print
How to Prepare Aloe Vera Jelly for Boba Drinks (Nha Đam)
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
Cool, chewy, and refreshing, here’s how to prep fresh aloe vera at home so you can scoop it straight into your favorite boba drinks.
Ingredients
- 1 large aloe vera leaf (1 lb)
Instructions
- Soak the open end: After cutting the leaf, place the open end in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes to drain out the bitter yellow sap. If you bought the leaf from the store, the cut end has likely sealed, so slice it open again before soaking.
- Filet it like a fish (only one side): Slice away the green skin on just one side, using the tail end as a holder. Trim off the spiny edges on both sides. With one side of skin still attached, cut the gel into small cubes without slicing all the way through. Gently filet the other side so the cubes loosen, then lift the whole leaf to transfer the cubes into a bowl.
- Rinse: Rinse the cubes under cold running water until they are no longer slimy. Transfer the cubes to a colander to let any remaining sap drain.
- Blanch: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the cubes and cook for 1 minute. Drain into colander and rinse again under cold water.
- Serve: Store as is in an airtight container (my preference), or store it in syrup or toss with a bit of sugar. It will last in the fridge for up to 3 days until ready to use. Add them to your favorite boba drinks and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Asian, Taiwanese
