Orange Pineapple Smoothie with Carrot and Aloe Vera

To make this orange pineapple smoothie try to find the sweetest pineapple you can. To tell whether a fresh pineapple is ripe, tug at the topmost spine on its crown. If this pulls away easily the pineapple should be perfectly ripe.

Confirm this by smelling the pineapple and pressing at its base. If you can smell alcohol the pineapple is over-ripe. Similarly, if the base is too soft then the pineapple is over-ripe and the flesh likely to be decomposing under the skin.

You can buy ready cut pineapple for this recipe. If you peel your own pineapple, why not blend the whole pineapple and freeze it in portions so you have some ready for next time you want to make a smoothie. Check here for advice on freezing fresh fruit.

Preparation Time
10 minutes

Ingredients

3 Valencia oranges or 6 small juicing tangerines
Approx ¼ ripe pineapple, about 200g
1 medium carrot
200 - 400g fresh aloe vera
Iced water

Directions

1. Peel and chop carrot and place in blender
2. Juice the oranges and add a few splashes to blender with any loose pulp
3. Blend carrots and orange juice until smooth
4. Add chopped pineapple and remainder of orange juice. Blend until smooth
5. Fillet the aloe vera leaf. Check here for directions on how to fillet fresh aloe vera to make aloe vera juice

   
   
   

   or to include in fruit smoothies

6. Add aloe vera gel and blend for about 10 seconds, adding ice water or ice cubes to achieve desired consistency.