Aloe vera juice

It is usually made from the clear gel inside aloe leaves, sometimes blended with water or other ingredients. It is different from aloe vera latex, the yellow sap just beneath the leaf skin.

Only use a plant explicitly grown for food, and take care to remove the leaf skin and yellow latex completely; the latex can have a strong laxative effect. Commercial food-grade juice is a safer choice than improvising with an ornamental plant.

Stir a little into water, lemonade or a smoothie; its mild, slightly bitter flavour works well with citrus, ginger and mint. If the juice contains gel pieces, shake or stir it before pouring.

Keep it refrigerated, close the cap tightly and use it within the time stated on the pack. Discard it if the smell, colour or texture changes noticeably.

They are not always interchangeable: aloe vera drink often contains added sugar or flavourings, while juice may be less sweet. Aloe vera drink has 19 kcal and 4.4 g carbohydrate per 100 g, compared with 3 kcal and 0.5 g carbohydrate in aloe vera juice.

No. Aloe vera juice drink is typically a sweetened or flavoured product; it provides 15 kcal and 3.75 g carbohydrate per 100 g, whereas aloe vera juice has 3 kcal and 0.5 g carbohydrate.