Page 16 - AHATA

Tuesday 2 december 2025 locAl
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Aruba: The island of Aloes

ORANJESTAD – Aloe Vera, a However, by the time the
succulent plant species, is oil industry arrived on Aru-
renowned for its incredible ba, it changed the labor
properties for the skin. It is market on Aruba, shifting
widely distributed and usu- away from agriculture. It
ally grows in tropical, semi- would be after World War
tropical and arid climates II that aloe would make a
on the planet. But this plant comeback. And eventu-
also had a very prominent ally, as science learned
role in the history of Aruba, about the amazing proper-
and its significance to the ties of aloe gel, the indus-
island’s economy endures try shifted from producing
to this day. laxative to producing skin
care. An interesting fact is
The leaves of Aloe Vera that in 1951, the production
contain a good amount of of Aruban aloe amounted
gel which when used topi- to around 30 percent of the
cally, is great for the skin. total global production!
Traditionally, Arubans use The impact and relevance
this gel to treat minor burns of aloe is visible all around
and other skin ailments, Aruba. While most homes
or just to keep skin supple will have a few plants for
and looking bright and personal use and decora-
nourished. Aside from the tion, houses are also deco-
gel, aloe contains a bitter, rated with aloe motifs, and
yellow substance (called at some point, aloe even
aloin) which is a gentle but featured on post stamps.
powerful laxative, and it is introduced in other islands Under Commander Jan and Europe. The aloin from Around 1920, about two-
also the origin of the indus- of the Caribbean to culti- Helenus Ferguson (1866- Aruba and Curaçao was thirds of Aruba was aloe
try of aloe in Aruba. vate and harvest the aloe 1871), aloe experienced a known to be one of the fields, earning our island the

to produce the laxative. boom, which is why there best in the world and was nickname “The Island of Al-
Aloe vera was introduced is a road named after him, more expensive, which oes.” And in 1955, the aloe
in Aruba around 1840, Around 1920, about two- which goes through the meant that at the time, it became a part of Aruba’s
when most of the island’s thirds of Aruba was aloe aloe fields. In the 19th cen- had significant economic coat of arms, symbolizing
inhabitants were farmers of fields, earning our island tury, Aruba was the main impact, particularly for the prosperity for the island.q
little means. Dutch Gover- the nickname “The Island supplier of aloin for laxa- local farmers.
nor Van Raders introduced of Aloes.” tive, which was imported Images from the archive of
the plant after it had been abroad to the United States the National Library of Aruba.

Food culture in Aruba

(Oranjestad) – Like many other cul- see leftovers from the main meal Snacks and tasty delights
tures, an important aspect of the Main Meal reheated and eaten again. Tea Besides meals and dishes that are
Aruban cultural identity is our con- The main meal is typically eaten in and coffee are often also served eaten on the dinner table, Aruba
nection to food and food traditions. most households around noon or in with the evening snack. also has a food tradition that in-
The local food traditions consist of a the afternoon. This can consist of cludes snacks and other tasty
melting pot of different cultural and meat, fish, and chicken—stewed (Religious) Holidays delights that you may easily find
religious eating habits and dishes. or fried—with funchi (polenta) or Christmas is probably the biggest around the island. These include,
rice with stewed vegetables. Of- global holiday, and every culture Saco*, baskets, pastechi, kroket,
Breakfast, lunch and dinner ten, fried or boiled plantain or pan has its own spin on what their Christ- deditos, Johnny cake and more.
The routine of breakfast, lunch and bati (Aruban pancake) is included. mas cuisine entails. In Aruba, our These snacks are usually sold at lo-
dinner on the island is one that does Stews are a staple in Aruban cuisine Christmas cuisine is again largely cal snack trucks and cafes, often
not completely follow a European and can are largely influenced by based on Latin-American influ- located on the side of the road. In
or American routine, despite the Latin-American and Latin/Afro-Ca- ences, most notably form Venezu- the area of Tanki Leendert and Tan-
major influences from these parts ribbean Stews. Some of the more ela. Ayacas and the famous pan ki flip, for example, there are many
of the world on our culture and unique stews and soups from the di ham* are two crucial holiday of these trucks parked on the side
way of living. When it comes to the ABC Islands* include sopi bonch’i dishes, along with stuffed turkey, of the road and often open until
three important meals of the day, rabo (red kidney bean soup with roasted glazed ham topped with late at night—offering tasty and fill-
most of the Aruban population fol- pig tail), sopi mondongo (tripe pineapples, arroz con pollo (rice ing snacks post night-life fun.q
lows a Latin-American influenced soup), carni stoba (beef stew), and chicken) and potato salad,
routine. comcomber stoba (West Indian among other items. Traditional *ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Cu-
gherkin stew) and much more. drinks include ponche crema (Aru- racao
Breakfast ban eggnog), chuculati pinda (hot *Pan di ham: Derived from the Venezu-
elan Pan de Jamon (rolled up bread
Breakfast in Aruba is quite simple: a Dinner Time chocolate with peanut butter), and with ham, raisins and olives)
cup of coffee or tea, some bread, Dinner time can vary significantly homemade fruit punch. Desserts in- *Saco: Saco literally means “bag”.
and sometimes an egg. Sometimes, from household to household. Un- clude bolo di pistachio (pistachio Saco contains fried potatoes, plantains,
due to the need of a quick “to-go” like the U.S. or in Europe, dinner cake), bolo di cashupete (cashew chicken (and ribs) and a Johnny cake,
breakfast, you may also find many time typically does not consist of cake), quesillo (flan), bolo preto served in a paper bag.
snack trucks and cafes that sell a whole (warm) meal. Instead, the (fruit cake), drigidek (gingerbread), Source: Voeding, voedingsgewoonten
sandwiches, pastechis (meat pie), evening “meal” can typically con- pan boyo (bread cake) and more. en gerechten op Aruba (Nutrition, Food
arepas and empanadas early in sist of something lighter, like a sand- Traditions and Dishes on Aruba) by Bib-
the morning. wich, though it is not uncommon to lioteca Nacional Aruba