Aloe vera has deep roots in Aruba’s history and culture, dating back to the late 19th century. In fact, Aruba became known as the “Island of Aloes” during the 1920s due to the vast aloe fields that once covered nearly two-thirds of the island. Aloe Vera became Aruba’s first major source of economic growth, with the island’s desert-like climate enhancing the plant’s healing properties, producing some of the finest aloe in the world.
Aruba’s aloe is revered for its exceptional quality. The island’s harsh, arid environment creates an ideal setting for the aloe plant to thrive, intensifying the potency of the gel extracted from the leaves. This rich, nutrient-packed gel has long been prized for its skin-soothing and rejuvenating properties, providing natural remedies for burns, cuts, and various skin conditions. The aloe’s remarkable benefits are even recognized in Aruba’s Coat of Arms, where the plant is featured prominently, symbolizing its role in the island’s heritage.
To this day, aloe continues to play a significant role in Aruba’s local economy and cultural identity. Aloe fields are still harvested on the island, and the plant is processed on-site to maintain its purity and potency. This commitment to traditional cultivation practices, passed down through generations, helps ensure that Aruba’s aloe retains its status as one of the finest in the world.
Royal Aruba Aloe
Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. was founded in 1890 by Cornelis Eman, making it one of the oldest Aloe Vera companies in the world. It is also among the first to cultivate, harvest, produce, and package its aloe-based skin and hair care products locally.
The aloe plants grown on Aruba are renowned for being some of the most potent and healing in the world. For over 150 years, Aruba’s aloe has been recognized as the finest globally, becoming a key part of the island’s culture and history. This significance is even reflected in Aruba’s Coat of Arms, where the aloe plant is prominently displayed. The aloe plants used today still come from the original plantations established by Cornelis Eman.
Aruba’s desert-like, hot, and dry climate is ideal for aloe cultivation, enhancing the plant’s natural healing properties. The environment allows the aloe to flourish, producing a gel that is exceptionally rich in nutrients and therapeutic benefits.
Guided tours are available every 15 minutes, offering visitors the opportunity to observe the precise process of aloe “fileting” while discovering the numerous benefits of Aloe Vera, both for ingestion and as a topical application. Following this demonstration, guests are invited to take a leisurely walking tour of the factory, where they can explore various sections of the facility. These include the aloe cutting room, testing laboratory, filling station, as well as the packing and storage areas. The tour is designed to be gentle on the legs, ensuring a comfortable experience for all.
One Response
Reading about the aloe was interesting. Just spent two weeks in September and it’s the first time in years that we didn’t see the Aloe Man on Palm Beach. Hopefully he’s okay.