Aloe vera is much loved for its impressive range of benefits to your skin. Its moisturising properties hydrate your skin, making you feel fresh and younger. But whatās the best way to store it?
Can You Freeze Aloe Vera?
Yes, you can freeze aloe vera for up to 6 months, in both leaf and gel forms. Whether you have made the gel yourself or purchased it from the shop, make sure itās covered to keep air out.
How to Freeze Aloe Vera Leaves
If youāre fortunate enough to have access to aloe vera plants at home, you can harvest the leaves to make a gel that has numerous benefits to your skin.
However, once harvested, itās best to use the leaves immediately so they donāt dry out.
But if youāre not ready to prepare a gel, you can freeze aloe vera leaves.
- Wrap
Wrap each aloe vera leaf in a sheet of cling film. Ensure the cling film covers the entire leaf and has a tight seal.
- Bag Up
Pop all the wrapped leaves into one large freezer bag so they’re all in one place. The last thing you want is an aloe vera leaf getting lost at the bottom of a freezer drawer!
- Freeze
Finally, pop the bag into the freezer with a clear label and store it for up to 6 months.
To do so, wrap them tightly in tin foil (or use suitably sized freezer bags) before placing them in an airtight container. You should then label the box, and they will be good in the freezer for up to six months.
Yes, aloe vera juice can be frozen like most drinks. If they are in small plastic bottles that are not filled to the brim, then these can be placed straight into the freezer. Otherwise, decant into plastic containers.
Yes! If you have purchased an aloe vera gel from the supermarket, you can place it in the freezer in the plastic bottle or container that it’s in. Otherwise, you’ll need to store it in an airtight container in the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Aloe Vera?
You can freeze aloe vera leaves for around 6 months. I wouldnāt recommend freezing aloe vera for any longer than this, as youāre likely to reduce its efficacy the longer you keep it in the freezer.
When it comes to aloe vera gel, you can safely store it in the freezer for a similar period, around 6 to 8 months. The key is to store the gel in small, usable portions.
An ice cube tray can be ideal for this. Once the cubes of aloe gel are frozen, they can be transferred to a freezer bag or an airtight container.
Aloe vera leaves can last in the fridge for about 1-2 weeks if kept in a plastic bag. However, once cut, the gel inside should be used within a few days for optimal freshness and potency.
How Do You Defrost Aloe Vera?
When itās time to defrost your aloe vera, remove it from the freezer and leave it to sit out at room temperature for several hours.
Ensure you donāt set it on the window sill, as UV rays can affect the gel. Itās also important not to try to speed up the thawing process by placing aloe vera in the microwave.
Doing so will almost certainly ruin the gel, so be patient and allow sufficient time to thaw at room temperature. The same is true for aloe vera leaves.
Can You Refreeze Aloe Vera?
I wouldnāt recommend refreezing aloe vera gel or leaves more than once. During the freezing process, ice crystals form, which affects the moisture levels of the leaves and gel.
As such, the more times you freeze and thaw aloe vera, the more likely you are to affect its efficacy. If youāre concerned about wastage, freeze your aloe vera in an ice cube tray (or at least smaller portions), so you can easily remove what you need at any given time.
Does Aloe Vera Freeze Well?
On the whole, aloe vera freezes well. If youāre trying to decide between the two, I recommend freezing the gel over the leaves, but both work well enough.
As long as you only freeze aloe vera once and use it within six months, you shouldnāt have any problems when you come to use it.
Choose the Right Aloe Vera
When freezing aloe vera, you want to opt for the thickest, juiciest leaves as these will contain the most gel and will therefore freeze the best.
Sources
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