Aloe Vera Ice Cream

Aloe ice cream may sound a little crazy, but the flavor is light and fruity, yet bold and unlike anything you’ve ever had before. I myself was wary when I had it the first time while visiting a home in Sweden where they brought back a gallon from their trip to China. It was so good, I had to replicate it at home with my own recipe –and I was able to do so fairly successfully.

The result is a gourmet ice cream that you can use to pleasantly surprise houseguests or enjoy at your own leisure on a hot summer day.

1 Can of coconut milk

1 Cup half & half

1 Cup cream

¾ Cup sugar

1 Cup honey flavored aloe vera gel (can be found in Asian markets as a type of tea)

1 Apple diced in 1/8” or smaller cubes

Blend milk, half & half and cream at a low speed. As it starts to thicken, turn up mixer and slowly add in sugar. Blend at med-high speed for a minute, then add in aloe gel and let mix for another two minutes to ensue mixture is well-beaten and thickened.

Make ice cream according to your ice cream maker’s instructions, but 15 minutes before the ice cream is complete, add in the apples. The apples serve as a mental stimulant reminding you of the texture of aloe. Freeze for at least two hours to ripen before eating.

The recipe makes about a half a gallon. If you’re looking for fun toppings to include with the ice cream, try some of the other Asian market treats such as lychee or almond gel, or sweet red beans. You also might consider fresh tropical fruits like pineapple, kiwi or mango.

This ice cream not only tastes great and is entirely refreshing, but it also maintains many of the health aspects of aloe vera, which can soothe stomachs and add radiance to the skin.