Aloe vera must be processed in the dark; hoax or truth?
Anyone who is passionate about aloe will have heard or read at least once that the leaves must be processed and consumed in the dark.
We want to address this topic, which is often the subject of misunderstandings and discussions among those who prepare it at home.
We frequently receive phone calls telling us that during the preparation phase, they process the Aloe by lowering the blinds and using only a candle, or that they take it in a completely dark room.
In these cases the term “darkness” is taken too literally.
First of all, why should you prepare or take Aloe in the dark?
Inside the Aloe leaf there are photosensitive active ingredients, which means that these substances tend to dissolve if hit directly by sunlight or artificial light, reducing their effectiveness.
The oxidation of these photosensitive active ingredients also depends on more or less prolonged exposure to direct light.
So what does all this mean?
That you can prepare Aloe when there is no direct exposure to sunlight or artificial light.
You can do this easily during the day in dim light without having to lower the shutters or close the windows in the dark.
To store it, use an amber container or a glass jar covered with silver paper.
And to hire him?
The same rule explained for preparation applies, so it's not necessary to close windows, lower shutters, or anything else.
It is important not to leave the container open and out of the refrigerator for too long, otherwise the preparation will begin to oxidize.
Tip: Always keep an eye on the color of the preparation. When you notice the first changes, it means the oxidation process has begun, and therefore the active ingredients are deteriorating. At this point, you might want to make another preparation.
For further tips on making the syrup, we relied on an "official source," Father Romano Zago. We took advantage of his presence here in Italy to ask him if there were any other secrets for making and storing it optimally, but he confirmed that, beyond the rules you've just read, there are no further suggestions to add.
To your well-being!
